If you’re moving home, it’s critical to get your packing right. If you don’t, it can lead to delays, frustrations, and general stress, particularly on the day of the move. Getting packing right, though, requires a specialist approach. That’s why we take a look at some of the packing tips removalists swear by in this article.
First, Throw Out Anything You Don’t Need
The best place to start is by throwing out anything you don’t need first. Start several weeks in advance of your move so you can really go through all of your stuff and decide what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of.
Often you’ll have attics, cupboards, basements, and closets full of junk that you never use. Instead of throwing it all out the day before your move, the best approach is to sell or recycle things over a longer period so that when you do finally come to order movers services, you can streamline everything.
Pack One Room at a Time
When it comes to packing, don’t just pack everything at once. Pack one room at a time. Don’t mix items from different rooms in the same box, because this makes it more difficult to unpack when you get to the other end. Label all of your boxes and feel free to leave them a little bit empty, even if it means being better organized.
Invest in Quality Packing Supplies
You’ll also notice that removalists always invest in high-quality packing supplies. They use the right sizes of boxes for things like books, clothes, and miscellaneous items. They also observe overpacking limits. Boxes shouldn’t be heavier than about 20-25 kg. If they are, they become unsafe to lift, and the weight inside may damage the overall box structure.
Label Everything Clearly
Home movers also label boxes clearly, and this is something that you should do as well if you’re planning on doing your own packing. Don’t just label the sides; label the top as well, and then add additional instructions like “this side up” or “heavy” to warn you about the contents of specific boxes. You may not remember exactly what’s in each of them, but it can be useful to know which room the boxes are going to.
Protect Your Fragile Items Like a Pro
Removalists are particularly concerned about protecting fragile items. They know that insurance costs will rise if they damage delicate chandeliers or china plates. Make sure you pack these with plenty of styrofoam popcorn, crumpled paper, or even clothing. If you have particularly fragile items, you might want to wrap them in bubble wrap first so that they can absorb any impact.
Leave Clothes in Drawers
Finally, while it might sound strange, it’s a nice idea sometimes to leave clothes in drawers. This keeps them secure and intact, saves space when it comes to moving, and saves a lot of time because you’re not having to remove clothes from boxes and then place them back in drawers when they could have stayed in there all along. Just make sure that you tape or wrap the drawers closed so they don’t open during transit.