How To Pack For A Move – A Moving Checklist
DON’T PACK EVERYTHING.
Leave your non-breakable items such as clothes and linens in your dressers, chests and small file cabinets. This will save you from packing extra boxes.
THINK WEIGHT.
Pack all of your boxes full to the top and tape them shut. But in the case of heavier items such as books, we recommend using smaller boxes that can still be manageably lifted.
DON’T PACK PERISHABLES.
Canned goods should be packed upright with no more than 24-30 cans per box but make certain not to pack any items that may spoil in transit.
BE CAREFUL.
Make sure to carefully wrap glass containers. China and glassware should be in boxes clearly marked “FRAGILE.”
KEEP DOCUMENTS.
We recommend that important documents, small expensive items, currency and plants remain with you.
DON’T PACK EXPLOSIVES.
This may seem like common sense, but it’s important not to pack any flammable, explosive, corrosive or liquid items. Residential moving companies are required by law not to move these items. This includes pressurized containers, (aerosol cans, propane tanks, etc.) as well as ammunition.
THINK PACKAGING AND TEMPERATURE.
If you have batteries and/or light bulbs that are not in their original packaging, they should not be packed. Also, if it’s summer, be careful about packing candles, making sure there is nothing they can damage if they melt.
CREATE A MOVING BOX SYSTEM.
Mark what is in each box and in which room you want each box to go. This will help your movers to be more efficient while unloading and save you time and hassle.
USE YOUR TRASH CANS.
Cleaning out trash cans and filling them with miscellaneous garden tools can minimize your packing efforts.
DON’T USE POST-ITS.
Post-It® Notes fall off. Remind yourself and your movers where things should go by using labels instead.
BE VERTICAL.
When packing, pack your items vertically.
How to pack boxes for moving dishes and china.
Stuff glassware and china with tissue or packing paper (if you like, you can purchase this from Exodus.) If you use newspaper, be prepared to clean all glassware of newsprint upon arrival at the final destination.
- Wrap each dish individually with packing material.
- Crumple your packing material and place it along the bottom and sides of the packing container. Also, place packing material between each row of dishes for extra padding.
- Be sure to stand your dishes on end as they are stronger in this position.
- Place the heaviest items on bottom of the packing container and the lightest on top.
- Any void space in glasses, cups, bowls, or other fragile ware should be filled with packing material. These items should also be placed facing the bottom of the container.
- Be sure to pack the container full to the top, leaving about 3 to 4 inches at the top to be filled with crumpled packing material. Then securely tape the box closed.
