Practical Packing: Packing Essentials and Tips

• Strong packing boxes
• Bubble wrap for packing fragile items
• Tissue and ink-free packing paper
• Scissors
• Knife for opening boxes
• Several broad-tip markers to label boxes
• Rolls of packing tape

Packing Tips

• Get more boxes than you think you will need.
• Get smaller boxes for books. Use bigger boxes for lighter items.
• Pack room-by-room, keeping similar items together.
• Reinforce the bottom of boxes with at least one strip of packing tape.
• Pack boxes firmly to prevent the contents from shifting during your move.
• Use crumpled paper for padding. Seal boxes tightly with wide packing tape.
• Pack records and CDs vertically in boxes. Don't stack them flat.
• Place heavier items in the bottom of the box and lighter items on top.
• Separate items with paper to prevent scratches caused by rubbing.
• Remove lids from jars and ceramics. Wrap each separately.
• Seal any opened boxes and bottles before packing them to avoid spills and leakage.
• Use towels, linens, curtains, etc. to pad boxes of fragile items. Clearly mark these boxes "FRAGILE."
• Use a jumbo box for lampshades and cushion them well.
• When disassembling furniture, beds, lamps, etc. put the hardware into a plastic bag along with any assembly tips and tape it onto the item itself.
• If possible ask your mover if you can leave clothes in dresser drawers. Find out from your movers how they want hanging clothes packed.
• Make a master list of all household items and your belongings.
• Number boxes when they are packed and sealed. Clearly indicate on the box its room destination. Write on the master list the contents of the numbered boxes.
• Make a box of essentials and label it "Open Me First." Put this box to the side to be loaded last (so it's unloaded first) or move it yourself.
• Your Essentials Box may include:
• Basic tools such as flashlights, pocket knife, hammer, screwdrivers, nails, masking tape, tape measure, and light bulbs.
• Bathroom essentials such as hand towel, soap, toilet paper, shampoo, and shower curtains.
• Kitchen goodies such as paper towels, coffeemaker and filters, paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, dish detergent, a sponge, pet foods, dishes, and trash bags.
• Pack rugs last so they can be the first items unloaded and placed at your new location.

Courtesy of United States Postal Service (USPS)