Packing Guide: How To Pack for Move

Pack Like A Professional

Smart Packing Tips Straight from Boston Movers

Our moving and packing tips will help you save on time and cost. Efficient packing significantly influences your moving expenses. In this packing guide we have gathered the most important packing hints and moving tips that will help ensure your move is most efficient and help save you on time and cost.

1. Pack room by room. This strategy is the best way to keep under control the sorting and packing process, and it will be easier for you to mark the boxes. Use moving as an opportunity to organize your belongings and get rid of items you do not need, so there will be fewer items to move.
2. Tape the boxes. Tape the bottoms and tops of boxes with packing tape, not masking or Full duct tape.
3. Full boxes are better. Fill boxes completely to eliminate cave-ins. Do not have items protruding from the top or sides of the box.
4. Drawers. Empty all dresser drawers and leave drawers in. It is the safest way to protect your furniture structurally.
5. Labeling. Label boxes on top and sides with a dark marker. For instance, MBR for the master bedroom, LR for the living room, etc. Place labels on items that are NOT to be moved.
6. Avoid miscellaneous-sized boxes. Many boxes of different sizes complicate truck loading and require extra handling. Moving boxes of 3-4 standard sizes can significantly cut costs. It’sIt’s simpler for the moving team to stack and arrange uniform-sized rather than randomly sized boxes.
7. Box size:

• Small boxes (1.5 – 2 cubic feet): dense items like books, canned goods, documents, CDs, and DVDs.
• Medium boxes (4 cubic feet): cookware, dishes, small appliances (like a toaster or coffee maker).
• Large boxes (5 cubic feet): light items like linens, lamps/shades, small and medium-sized pictures, toys, and pillows.

8. Use vacuum sealing. For bulky yet lightweight items like clothing and pillows, vacuum sealing is a game-changer. Not only does it save space, but it also prevents these items from getting wrinkled during the move.
9. Dishes. We recommend using bubble wrap or packing paper for dishes and glassware as it provides the most protection. Vertical placement within a Dish Barrel Box is safer for all dishes or glassware.
10. Frames. Pack all framed pictures smaller than 15’15’ x 13” in boxes with bubble wrap. Place the frames vertically within the box; this will be safer for them.
11. Make photos of electronics and other items you need to remember how to set up. These photos will help you a lot later in the new place.
12. Prepare a bag for the first day at the new home. Prepare a bag of personal items and essentials for the night and day of the move. Write a list and pack what you might need immediately at the new place before unpacking all other items. Good things to think of: towels, toiletries, some essential kitchen items, bedroom supplies, items for cleaning, snacks, medications, appliances and gadgets and chargers, personal items and documents, clothes for a few days, etc
13. Do not pack. Do not pack  flammable items (aerosol cans, lighter fluid, or gas/propane tanks), open liquids (like household cleaners, paint, and toiletries).
14. Do not pack. Secure and separate personal items, including cash, jewelry, sensitive documents, etc or have them moved before the move day.

Need assistance with packing? Feel free to reach out if you require help at any point. We’re equipped to handle any scale of packing, from a few items to an entire household.

Give us a call or drop us an email!