Moving house sounds exciting, but it can be expensive. One way you can cut your moving expensive is to pack yourself. It is not as difficult as you might think and can save you some money. Let’s try and make it simpler for you.

PACKING SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED

First, you will need a range of box types to hold all your stuff. Buying moving boxes and other moving supplies is an essential part of packing for relocation. You can also use any spare plastic boxes you may have to pack your fragile items. The main types of boxes and packaging you will need are:

⮞ Small, medium, and large boxes ⮞ Heavy duty boxes ⮞ Dish and glassware boxes ⮞ Wardrobe boxes ⮞ Telescope boxes ⮞ Flat panel TV boxes ⮞ Plastic bins ⮞ Bankers boxes

⮞ Lamp Boxes ⮞ Insulated foam containers ⮞ Wooden crates ⮞ Mattress boxes ⮞ Chipboard packaging ⮞ Poly bags ⮞ Foil sealed bags ⮞ Moving blankets

Use telescope boxes for packing mirrors and artwork.

You can also make your own wardrobe boxes by using a tall enough box and adding a metal rail.

Other packaging material required include:

⮞ Packing tape ⮞ Bubble wrap ⮞ Packing foam ⮞ Old newspapers ⮞ Mattress bags ⮞ Markers ⮞ Scissors

⮞ Knife ⮞ Plastic bags ⮞ Labels ⮞ Shrink wrap ⮞ Packing paper ⮞ Crush Paper ⮞ Packing peanuts

PREPARING TO PACK

Give Yourself Ample Time

Start the process well in advance to save yourself the pressure and stress.

Declutter

Identify things you do not want to take with you. Be ruthless, it is your opportunity to shed a lot of unnecessary stuff. Hold a garage sale or give your unwanted items away.

Make a Detailed Inventory List

Type out a detailed inventory list that you add to subtract from as you continue the process.

Get the Supplies

Calculate the sizes, types, and number of boxes you will need. Get these well in advance. Use strong boxes that are designed for moving, particularly for heavier items.

Think about what else you will need to help you pack the stuff you have. Get those items.

Check and Ensure Insurance Cover

Obtain insurance protection for the items you want to cover against damage, pilferage, or loss.

Designate a Packing Zone

Do not have your packing supplies spread all over the house. Designate a packing space where you can grab whatever you need when you need it. It can be a counter, a corner, or even a whole room, depending on what you require. Stock it with all the packing supplies you will need.

Make a Do Not Pack List

Make a list of things you want to have easy access to – like your toothbrush, toiletries, some clothes etc. Put them aside so that they do not get packed in the truck with the rest of your belongings.

THE METHOD TO PACKING

Begin with Areas and Items You Use Less

Start with the rooms you use less often, for example a loft, a basement, or a guest room. Pack seasonal items you are not currently using such as snow blower, tools, Halloween stuff, or any other items or china you only use on special occasions. Sorting through less used stuff first will also help you decide which items you do not want to take.

Go One Room at a Time

More often than not, packing your items by room is better. This will help you stay organized and indicate which box goes where. Start from the top floor and then move down.  Keep all boxes for each room together.

Dining room

• Roll up the rug in plastic or use a rope.
• Pack chairs by detaching the legs and putting them in moving boxes with the nails/casters in a labeled plastic bag.
• Secure dining table by draping it in a blanket and placing it in an area where it does not slip around.
• When packing decorations, make sure to wrap any items containing glass or ceramics in paper or bubble wrap.

Living room and den

• For TVs and computers, secure the screens using a blanket and unscrew the base, if any. Attach the screws and base to the back of the TV.
• Tape power cables to each electronic item along with the HDMI or audio auxiliary cables and remote controls.
• Wrap artwork and mirrors in blankets or bubble wrap.
• When packing tables, place furniture sliders under the legs so you do not scratch the floors when you move it. Cover the top of the table with a blanket to prevent scratching.
• Remove the legs off couches and chairs to make them easier to move. Place furniture into the moving truck before moving boxes.
• Pack your books and DVDs in separate boxes without making boxes too heavy.

Bedrooms

• Fold casual clothing and place them in moving boxes.
• For formal wear, use wardrobe boxes to keep the clothing on hangers during transport.
• Put all jewelry in a container you always keep on you during the move.
• Put mattresses in bed bags.
• Keep all bedding and pillows in trash bags to keep out dust and place them in boxes.
• When packing your home office, keep crucial files in a safe or locked file box.

Bathroom

• Pack toiletries together and ensure to have easy access to them when you arrive.
• Pack towels, toilet paper, soap etc. in one box for each bathroom.
• Unplug the washer and dryer. Disconnect all components including the dryer vent and washer hose. Tape the power cords to each appliance.
• Throw away detergents and fabric softeners. They are unsafe to transport.
• Pack laundry hampers/baskets with socks, T-shirts, and more for an easy move.

Garage/storage shed

• Put lawn furniture cushions in boxes or trash bags.
• Get rid of any paint, fertilizer, or weed killer — these are dangerous to move.
• Put tools in a tool chest. Wrap items like a saw or hammers in towels and then pack them in boxes.
• For the items requiring gas, like your grill or mower, drain the gas before transporting the item. Remove the gas tank.
• Deflate pool toys to pack them in boxes.
• Where possible, take your bike with you, using a bike rack on your vehicle.

Do not Leave Kitchen to the End

Do not leave your kitchen to the last minute. Kitchens take the longest to pack as they have a lot of items, most of which need proper protection. Treat dishes and glasses with extra care. Put a robust layer of crushed paper at the bottom of the box, between each layer in the box, and at the top of the box.

• Defrost the refrigerator at least 48 hours prior to moving out.
• Organize dishes carefully by wrapping them in bubble wrap. Do not overpack boxes.
• Use sectioned boxes for your glasses as a simple, secure way to transport them.
• When packing appliances, start by removing any blades or loose components. Tape the cord around the appliance, tape any additional parts to it, and make sure to include the instructions.
• Tape paper or bubble wrap around seasonings and pack jars containing spices or food on the bottom so they do not rattle around during transit.
• Store refrigerated goods in coolers with ice.

REMEMBER THESE IMPORTANT POINTS

Do Not Make your Boxes too Heavy

Make sure that the boxes are liftable and can withstand the weight they carry. Pack light items in large boxes and heavy items in small boxes. Set a maximum weight limit for a box, let’s say 20 kilos.

Use Plastic Containers for Items that can Spill Out

Use plastic bags and a sturdy box for toiletries, detergents, and liquid items. If you can’t fit the whole bottle into the plastic bag tightly tie plastic over the neck of the bottle. Secure the bag with packing tape.    

Put Small Items in Small Bags Before You Pack Them

Group small items -pencils, paper clips etc.- together and put them in small bags first before putting in the boxes. They will be easy to find and organize when you unpack.

Roll Your Clothes

Rolling your clothes is more practical than folding them. Rolling decreases the amount of space they take and makes your clothes les wrinkle prone.

Pack Cables and Wires in Roll Tubes

To make sure that your wires do not get tangled, use roll tubes to pack them individually. Then store them in a single box.

Keep all Your Valuables in One Place

Pack your valuable possessions in one place and make a detailed inventory list so that you do not forget or lose something.

Take Your Important Documents with You

Put all your important documents -birth certificates, marriage certificates, degrees, ID papers etc.- together and take them with you.

Do Not Leave Gaps in the Boxes

Make your boxes tightly packed. Fill any gaps by using clothes, old newspapers, packing foam, packing paper, or just old rags.

Put Lighter Boxes and Items on Top

By placing your heavy boxes beneath the lighter ones, you will not only make them easier to handle but will also ensure that breakable items do not get crushed during the move. Also, within one box, pack heavier items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top.

Always Label Your Boxes

Label all your boxes with a marker with the name of the room and the contents of the box. Write on the sides of the boxes and not on top so that you can recognize them when they are stacked on top of one another. Use a different color marker for each room. Clearly label boxes that contain breakables. Also label which side needs to be up.  For example, a box you packed from the kitchen could be labeled as follows:

Kitchen/everyday dishes/fragile

Think What You Will Need Early Access to

Think of what you will need easy access to at your destination. Make sure the boxes you need first are identifiable and easily accessible when you arrive.

Wrap Items Separately

Wrap items individually and put in a box that has been padded with several layers of newspaper and a layer of bubble wrap. Any breakables should be wrapped well in bubble wrap. Use packing paper, where needed, to prevent newspaper print leaving marks. Pillows and blankets are also useful for wrapping fragile items.

Use the Original Boxes of Your Appliances and Electronics

Let’s hope you were smart enough to keep the boxes your electronics came in. These boxes are customer designed for your devices and make it super easy for you to pack them well.

Bundle Long Items Together

Items like curtain rods, poles, rakes, brooms, and long-handled dusters should be bundled together with tape.

Pack Lamps and Lamp Shades Separately

It is awkward to pack a complete lamp safely. Lamps and lamp shades packed separately make them less fragile and much easier to pack. Remove the light bulb.  The base of the lamp should be packaged in paper and placed vertical in a box, encircled by crushed paper. The lamp shade should be meticulously wrapped and put upright in its own box. Where possible, nest multiple shades inside one another.

Use Mattress Bags

Mattress bag is a very handy packing product. It will keep your mattress clean and make it easier to move.

Leave Reminiscing for When you Unpack

As you pack you will stumble upon items -photos, gifts, toys, diaries etc.- that will evoke memories. Do not get lost in them, it will make your packing longer. Save reminiscing for when you are unpacking.  

Know What You Are Not Allowed to Pack

There are several things you cannot pack in a residential moving truck. For example, hazardous materials or chemicals. Learn about the applicable restrictions.