How To Pack For Moving

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Moving is considered one of the most stressful aspects of life – for good reason. And the most stressful part of moving is packing. But there’s no need to worry. Whether you require a local or interstate removal, we can help you pack smartly. We will help you gather your supplies and systematically go through the house room by room. For a manageable, less stressful move, we’ve compiled this handy checklist.

Table of Contents

General packing tips

Packing is a crucial aspect of moving. So, by organising your possessions according to functions, room use, etc., you’ll be able to keep track of everything during transport and unpacking. Here are some simple packing tips:

  • Pack “groups” of items together – First, insulate each box with padding, such as newspapers, blankets, towels or bubble wrap. Then, place the heaviest items inside first.
  • Labelling – Write the corresponding room and item category on each box.
  • Pack the essentials – Place “essential” items, such as tools, snacks, toothbrush, change of clothes, medication, first-aid kit, etc.
  • Don’t overfill boxes – This way, boxes will not be too heavy. It also reduces the likelihood of being dropped or breaking during transit.
Moving Boxes With Label

Gather your moving supplies

Before tackling the move, it’s important to have all the essential supplies handy, such as:

  • Boxes – There are plenty of ways to obtain free boxes. Simply search websites like Gumtree, or ask friends and family.
  • Bubble wrap – This keeps fragile items protected throughout the move. You can purchase it at any office supply or department store.
  • Dolly – Carrying heavy boxes is quite taxing and may be dropped. To prevent this, rent a dolly from a hardware store or moving company.

Packing room-by-room

Begin by making an inventory of everything you intend to pack. Doing so by each room will help you keep track of everything and stay organised. Then, gather your supplies (i.e. boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc.) to protect your goods during transit.

We advise you to pack your goods according to function (i.e. pack kitchen items together). And, remember to label the moving boxes, to make unpacking much easier. Write the corresponding room, items and whether the contents are fragile on the box top and sides (i.e. “kitchen/dishes/fragile”).

Checklist for each room

The task of packing can be quite overwhelming. To make it less stressful, we’ve compiled a handy packing checklist for every room:

Kitchen:

  • Defrost the fridge – Remove all food and beverages and defrost 48 hours before moving. Store fridge contents in eskies, packed with ice.
  • Pack non-perishable goods – Place bubble wrap around glass items (i.e. seasonings, spices, etc.) at the bottom of the box, to prevent moving.
  • Organise the dishes – To keep dishes secure, wrap them tightly in bubble wrap, and ensure boxes are not overfilled. If overpacked, the boxes may prove too heavy and your dishes could break.
  • Place glasses in sectioned boxes – Packing them this way keeps them secure, reducing the likelihood of breaks.
  • Pack smaller appliances – Remove all loose components and/or blades. Wrap and tape the cord around the appliance and remember to pack the instructions.

Dining room:

  • Roll up rug – Secure the rug with either a rope or plastic.
  • Secure kitchen table – Wrap the table in a blanket and position it carefully so it does not slide around.
  • Pack dining chairs – Unscrew and remove the legs and place them in boxes. Place nails and screws in a well-labelled plastic bag.
  • Pack décor items – Carefully wrap any fragile (i.e. ceramic or glass) items in bubble wrap.

Living room:

  • Secure electronics – Keep TV and computer screens secure with a blanket and unscrew the base. Tape the screws and the base to the back of the TV.
  • Pack furniture – Place furniture in a moving truck before placing moving boxes inside. Remove the couch and chair legs, so they are easier to move.
  • Secure coffee table – Place sliders underneath each leg, to prevent damage to your floors. Cover the tabletop to ensure it isn’t scratched.
  • Handle mirrors and artwork carefully – Securely wrap them in bubble wrap or thick blankets.
  • Remove lightbulbs and lampshades – Cushion the bulbs and lamp base carefully (with bubble wrap or newspaper) and place them in a box.
  • Store books, CDs and DVDs separately – Pack your books, CDs and DVDs in separate boxes and ensure they are not overfilled, to prevent breaking them.

Bedroom(s):

  • Pack clothes – Carefully fold and place your casual clothes in moving boxes. Purchase wardrobe boxes for formal wear. This enables you to place them on hangers during transport.
  • Sort out jewellery – Place all your valuable jewellery in a container, and keep it with you during the move.
  • Pack home office – Place the items you do not need right away in moving boxes. And place all crucial paperwork in a secure file box.
  • Pack mattresses – Place mattresses in bed bags. This will protect them from the elements.
  • Keeping bedding clean – After washing your bedding and pillowcases, place them in rubbish bags. This will prevent dust from accumulating. Then, place them in moving boxes.

Bathroom:

  • Gather toiletries and towels – Ensure you have easy access to these items. After all, bathroom items will most likely be the first things you unpack. Pack toilet paper, towels, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste in the same box. Dedicate one box for each bathroom.

Laundry room:

  • Move appliances – Unplug your washing machine and dryer. Then, disconnect the components and tape the power chords to the appliances.
  • Discard detergents/softeners – These are very dangerous to transport.

Carport/shed:

  • Pack lawn chair cushions – Place them in rubbish bags or boxes.
  • Discard hazardous materials – Throw away poisons, weed-killer, fertilisers, etc., as they are dangerous to move.
  • Pack away tools – Place them in a toolbox. Pack frequently used tools (i.e. saws, hammers, etc.), in boxes.
  • Drain items that need gas – Drain gas from your barbecue or mower before transporting. Remove and return the gas tank from the barbecue before moving.
  • Deflate pool toys – They’ll be easier to pack in boxes.
  • Transport your bike – For safe transport, place a bike rack on your car.

FAQs

These are some of the most common questions we receive from people moving house:

Moving boxes and supplies are something people tend not to think about until the last minute. Fortunately, there are many places you can pick up free supplies, such as hardware stores, buying and trading websites and friends and family.

As dishes are fragile, they should be tightly packed in newspaper or bubble wrap. Then, place them upright in moving boxes. This way, they will remain secure. After tightly packing and securing them, write “fragile” on the box.

An efficient way to do this is to go from room to room and sort everything into three main categories: things you want to keep, things you plan to donate and things you can throw away. Organising your things before moving will make everything much easier to manage, as you’ll only take the belongings you absolutely need.

To start with, place the heaviest items in the back of the moving truck. These items include furniture and large appliances. Secure each item with fasteners, to ensure they do not slide around in the truck or get damaged. Next, place the bulky items (such as smaller appliances, coffee tables, etc.) in the truck. Then, carefully fill the truck with boxes. To ensure the security of fragile and/or expensive electronics, we recommend securing them in your car.

Contact us

Moving locally or interstate? The team at Campbelltown Removals and Storage will ensure it’s a stress-free experience.