• Packing paper is unprinted news wrapping paper and is a clean inexpensive effective way to protect your belongings. Wrap fragile items and crumple it up to fill empty space on the bottom, top and between items to reduce breakage.
• Bubble wrap comes in a variety of sizes. Like news wrap, bubble wrap is used to protect fragile items and fill air pockets in boxes to reduce shifting and breakage in transit.
• Dish and glass pack kits are compartmentalized inserts used to pack glassware, crystal and stemware. These kits may come with foam padding or foam pouches to protect each piece during transit.
• Packing tape and tape dispensers make it easy to seal your boxes quickly. During a move, it quickly becomes apparent that the box tape dispenser is in fact, indispensable.
• Permanent markers may seem like an obvious necessity, but you’d be surprised how often markers are lost before the move is even in high gear. Keep extras handy to mark contents, delivery location (what room in the new home) and instructions or warnings (such as “fragile”) on your boxes.

Other Moving Supplies

• Stretch plastic wrap is an industrial-strength version of your standard kitchen plastic wrap. It’s used to bind items together (for example: electrical cords, dresser drawers, couch cushions, etc.). Plastic wrap protects furniture from scratches, dust and damage. However, it is not necessarily a good choice for wood or leather furniture as it can cause damage by trapping moisture under the plastic.
• Furniture pads are thick, durable blankets that cover and protect large appliances and furniture.

Packing 101

The better you pack, the easier it is to unpack. Master the art of packing by following these expert packing tips.

Getting started

• Start by packing the things you aren’t using and won’t need until after you move. (Think camping equipment, sporting equipment and out-of-season items). Work backwards from least to most needed so that your everyday necessities won’t need to be packed until moving day.
• Your soft and lightweight goods in drawers need not be removed and packed in boxes; they can be moved as they are. Your movers will wrap dressers with plastic and blankets to keep drawers closed. However, anything breakable, spill-able or that may damage other items should be removed from your drawers prior to moving.

Tips for packing items in boxes

• Group like items together. Pack kitchenware together in one box and label it accordingly. Do not mix fragile collectibles with pots and pans, or otherwise throw together contents haphazardly.
• Wrap items individually with multiple layers of clean packing materials like news wrap, paper towels, tissue paper and/or bubble wrap. Towels, blankets and other soft items may also be used to pad boxes.
• Each box should be packed firmly but not overloaded. You don’t want items to shift. The box lid should close easily without bending inward or being over-packed.

How to pack a standard box

• Before adding items to your empty box, create a two to three-inch layer of padding at the bottom with crushed news wrap.
• Place the heaviest items on the bottom of the box, then build up in layers with medium weight items in the middle and lightest weight items on top.
• Each layer should be filled with crumpled news wrap or other packing materials to eliminate empty spaces.
• You may further define layers by using sheets of cardboard for dividers.
• Everything should be completely covered by paper or other padding.

How to pack small, fragile items in a box

• Small and fragile items should be individually wrapped. The more delicate the item, the more padding required.
• They can then be packed separately in small boxes, either one item per box, or a few together in each box.
• Ensure these boxes are fully cushioned with paper or other packing materials.
• These smaller boxes can then be placed in a larger box, with each small box cushioned by additional news wrap to fill the gaps between boxes.

Organizing and marking boxes

• As you seal each box, list its contents on the side in permanent marker. You can also keep track of your boxes and contents in a notebook. You may also wish to number each box for better tracking.
• Which room should the box be directed to? If you mark each box clearly by room, you can tape signs on each room at your new home, which will help the movers quickly distribute the boxes to their appropriate rooms.
• Which boxes will you want to unpack first at your new home? Indicate these priority boxes with a special mark so they can be set aside when you get there.

Packing electrical equipment and items with multiple pieces

• Group parts and pairs together. Put hardware in plastic bags and put them in a parts box.
• Wind and fasten electrical cords so they are not left dangling.

Non-Allowable

We are dedicated to safe moving. Not everything can be hauled on our trucks.
In most cases, we cannot transport perishable items. Exceptions may be made if your move is less than 150 miles and items will be delivered within 24 hours of loading. Additionally, many common household items are not safe for transport under any circumstances. We cannot haul hazardous items, including explosives, flammable gases, and toxic substances. If you have questions about a particular item, please reach out to your move coordinator for clarification.

Moving Tips

• Have a mover visit your location to perform a survey and provide a written estimate.
• Ask lots of questions.
• Get recommendations from neighbors, friends, relatives & social media.
• Take an objective look at what you own. Decide what to keep, sell, give away, and dispose of.
• Be present to answer questions and give directions to movers.
• Before the truck leaves, take a final walk-through to make sure nothing is left behind.
• Have a plan for pets to be away on moving day.
• If you are moving to an apartment building or retirement community, ask them if they have any special moving requirements.
• Do not pack money, valuables, or medications; take them with you. Also, movers cannot haul liquids or hazardous materials.