On a long-distance move your boxes are stacked high, driven hundreds or thousands of miles and may be handled more than once. Packing for that is different from packing for a move across town.
Start with the right materials
- New, sturdy moving boxes in small, medium and large sizes
- Dish packs (double-wall boxes) for kitchenware
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Packing paper, and bubble wrap for the most fragile pieces
- Quality packing tape and a dispenser
- Permanent markers and labels
Used grocery or liquor store boxes vary in strength and size, which makes them harder to stack safely.
Seven rules that prevent most damage
- Heavy items in small boxes. Books, tools and canned goods go in small cartons. Keep every box under about 50 pounds.
- Fill every box completely. Empty space lets a box crush. Use paper or soft items to fill gaps.
- Cushion the bottom and top. Start and finish each fragile box with a layer of crumpled paper.
- Wrap items one at a time. Plates go on edge, like records, not stacked flat.
- Tape the seams. Run tape along the center seam and across both edges, top and bottom.
- Label two sides and the top. Write the room, a short contents list, and “Fragile” where it applies.
- Keep hardware together. Put screws and bolts in a labeled bag and tape it to the furniture it belongs to.
Room-by-room notes
Kitchen
The kitchen takes the longest. Start with rarely used appliances and serving pieces. Wrap glasses individually and place them upright in a dish pack.
Bedrooms
Leave lightweight clothing in dresser drawers if your mover agrees. Use wardrobe boxes for hanging items, and pack bedding last so it can be unpacked first.
Electronics
Original boxes are best. Photograph cable connections before unplugging, and back up your computers.
What to leave for the professionals
Large mirrors, glass tabletops, artwork, televisions, antiques and marble are worth having professionally packed or crated. Items a crew packs are also simpler to deal with if a claim is ever needed.
Prefer not to pack at all? Our packing services cover anything from a few fragile pieces to the entire home.