Packing for a move is both an art and a tiresome process. After all, a successful packing job involves mapping out a plan, sticking to a schedule, and boxing up belongings in a way that protects them from harm during transport. As the sales manager of Affiliated Movers of Oklahoma City, Inc., a company with experience in local, domestic, and international moves, Nathan Howell understands that the key to packing smartly and efficiently is to have all the proper supplies on hand. He suggests that anyone about to embark on a household packing journey equip himself with the following essential supplies:
Boxes
You’re obviously going to need someplace to put all your non-furniture belongings, and for most people, cardboard boxes seem to be the storage provider of choice. But not all boxes are created equal. While old, slightly worn boxes from your garage may be okay for your old towels and clothing, you’ll need a set of strong, sturdy boxes to handle your heavier and more fragile belongings. In fact, it’s a good idea to get plenty of boxes in all different sizes to accommodate the various items in your house. To neatly transport any dress or business clothing, you’ll need wardrobe boxes, which come with built-in rods to allow clothing to hang while in transit (Note that some moving companies provide these for free). For dishes and glasses, you’ll want to consider specialty boxes that come with dividers to minimize the chance of breakage or scratching during transport. Remember, when it comes to packing your belongings, the key is to avoid making any single box too heavy. So while large boxes might be suitable for plastic toys and bedding, you’ll want to break up your textbook and encyclopedia collection among a series of smaller boxes.
Newspaper
When it comes to moving, newspaper is a packer’s best friend. Newspaper is great for wrapping items and filling in boxes with wiggle room in the corners. Remember, if you’re packing a box of fragile items, you’ll need to make sure that the contents can’t shift around. By filling in box corners with rolled-up newspaper, you can protect the contents and minimize the chances of damage during your move. Best of all, newspapers are relatively cheap, and you can often get them for free. If you have a neighbor who gets home delivery service, ask him if he’ll drop his old papers off at your doorstep rather than recycling or throwing them away.
Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is essential for items requiring extra padding and care. Mirrors, artwork, lamps, dishes, and trinkets are all good candidates for added bubble wrap protection. You can also use bubble wrap in conjunction with newspaper to safeguard fragile items or cushion the corners of items that are pointy or sharp.
Packing tape
A sealed box is really only as good as the tape that holds it together. To ensure that your boxes stay closed and secure while in transit, invest in several rolls of heavy-duty packing tape. It’s also a good idea to purchase a tape gun, or serrated tape dispenser, to aid in the box-sealing process. This will save you time as compared to snipping away with scissors.
Permanent markers and labels
As you’re putting your stuff into boxes, you’re going to want to label each one accordingly. Pens or regular markers can fade. So to ensure that your labeling system is readable when it comes time to unpack, use brightly-colored permanent markers when writing on cardboard boxes. Of course, a better idea is to buy some white, stick-on labels and write on those to make the process easier.
Sealable plastic bags
When it comes to moving, often the smallest items seem to get lost among the masses. To prevent this from happening, equip yourself with a box of sealable plastic bags. These are perfect for things such as small knobs, knick-knacks, and even jewelry.
Trash bags
For every few items you pack, there’s bound to be something useless you want to throw away. Keep plenty of trash bags on hand so that you can easily dispose of any unwanted belongings.
When it comes to packing, the right set of supplies can turn an otherwise difficult process into one that is smooth and efficient. Most importantly, the proper packing materials can make the difference between an uneventful move and one that is full of damage and disappointment. So before you start emptying those bookshelves and dumping those dresser contents out onto the floor, purchase all of the supplies you need to keep packing as pleasant and painless as possible.
