PACKING TIPS
Packing Tips That Make Moving Day Easier
How to pack faster, protect your things, and actually find what you need when you unpack.
Packing is the part of moving that takes the longest and causes the most stress. It is also where a little know-how pays off. Boxes packed the right way are easier to carry, stack safely on the truck, and arrive with far less breakage. They also make unpacking faster, because you know exactly what is in each one and where it belongs.
These are the tips our crews wish every customer knew, from choosing supplies to packing the kitchen to what should never go in a box. Start with your least-used rooms about four weeks out and work toward the rooms you live in every day. If you are still building your overall plan, our main moving tips checklist lays out the full timeline.
And if you would rather not pack at all, A & M Friendly Movers can pack all or part of your home for you. Either way, you will know what good packing looks like.
Our Top Packing Tips
1. Get the Right Supplies
Use sturdy moving boxes in a few sizes, not grocery store boxes that are already worn. Small boxes are for heavy things like books and canned goods. Medium boxes handle most kitchen and closet items. Large boxes are for light, bulky things like pillows and lampshades. Add packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, markers and a tape gun. Wardrobe boxes save a lot of time on closets.
2. Pack Room by Room
Finish one room before starting the next, and keep each box to items from a single room. It sounds simple, but mixing rooms is the fastest way to end up hunting for the coffee maker in a box of bathroom towels. Set up a packing station with supplies in each room, and move finished boxes to one spot near the door so the space stays clear.
3. Label Like You Mean It
Write the destination room and a short list of contents on at least two sides of each box, not just the top, since tops are hidden once boxes are stacked. Mark boxes “Fragile” or “This Side Up” when it matters. Some families color-code by room with tape or stickers and post a matching sign on each door at the new home. The crew can place boxes without asking.
4. Protect Fragile Items
Wrap each dish, glass and figurine on its own. Stand plates on edge like records instead of stacking them flat, and put a layer of crumpled paper on the bottom and top of every box. Fill every gap so nothing shifts when you gently shake the box. Towels and linens make good padding. Keep fragile boxes on the lighter side so they are easy to handle.
5. Keep Boxes Under 50 Pounds
A box that is too heavy is hard to carry and more likely to split open. Put heavy items in small boxes and fill the rest with lighter things. Tape the bottom seam and the edges, not just the middle strip. If you can’t lift a box comfortably yourself, it is too heavy. Split it into two boxes instead of hoping the bottom holds.
6. Know What Not to Pack
Hazardous items can’t go on the truck: paint, propane, gasoline and other fuel, cleaning chemicals and ammunition. Plan to use them up, give them to a neighbor, or dispose of them properly before moving day. Keep cash, jewelry, medications, passports, deeds and other important papers with you in your car. Perishable food should be eaten, donated or tossed in the last few days, and the fridge emptied and wiped out.
Room-by-Room Quick Tips
Kitchen
Pack the kitchen last because you use it every day. Leave out a few plates, cups and a pan for the final week. Use dish packs or small boxes with plenty of paper, and wrap knives with the blades covered.
Bedrooms and Closets
Wardrobe boxes let hanging clothes go straight from closet to closet. Light dresser drawers can often stay packed, but ask your mover first. Bag and label bedding so you can make beds fast on the first night.
Electronics
Take a photo of how cords connect before unplugging anything. Use original boxes when you have them. Otherwise wrap screens in padding, stand them upright, and bag cords and remotes with each device so nothing goes missing.
Bathroom
Tighten caps and put a small square of plastic wrap under each lid to prevent leaks. Pack liquids upright in a small box lined with a plastic bag. Toss nearly empty bottles instead of moving them.
Packing FAQs
It depends on how much you own, not just the size of your home. A good habit is to count as you pack your first room and use that to estimate the rest. Always get a few more than you think. Running out mid-pack slows everything down. A & M Friendly Movers delivers boxes and supplies to your door.
About four weeks before your move, starting with rooms and items you rarely use. Packing a few boxes a day is much easier than trying to do it all in a weekend. Save the kitchen, bathroom and everyday clothes for the last few days.
Remove anything heavy, fragile, liquid or valuable. Light clothing can sometimes stay in sturdy dressers, which saves boxes and time. Ask your crew lead when they arrive, since it depends on the piece, its condition and how it will be carried.
You can leave it to us. A & M Friendly Movers takes apart and puts back together beds, tables and other furniture as part of the move at no extra cost, and every piece is wrapped and padded too. Just clear off the tops and empty any drawers that hold fragile items.
Use the original box for a TV if you have it. If not, wrap the screen in a soft blanket or foam, keep it upright and never lay it flat. For framed art and mirrors, tape an X across the glass, wrap in padding, and stand them on edge. Mark both “Fragile”.
Yes. Partial packing is popular. Many people handle their clothes and books and have our crew pack the kitchen, glassware, art and other breakables. We will talk through what you want packed and plan the right crew for the job.
Want Us to Do the Packing?
Packing takes time most busy families do not have. A & M Friendly Movers can deliver boxes and supplies to your door, pack your whole home or just the tough rooms, and unpack on the other end. Our crews are background-checked W-2 employees who treat your things like their own. Call 717-434-6711 or get your free quote today.
Ready to start your stress-free move? Contact us today to Get a free moving quote and let the A & M family make your moving experience a delightful one!