Professional movers and packers are masters of their craft. In order to prepare your belongings for an upcoming home relocation, you can learn from their expertise! Careful packing is the best way to ensure that your possessions arrive at your new place in the same condition as they left your old dwelling, and it starts with organization and preparation.
Preparing for your pack
Packing isn’t something you can just dive into. It takes planning so you not only pack effectively but also so you don’t accidentally wrap and box up items you’ll need before you completely unpack at your new home. The first step in many successful packs is finding the right materials—and it’s not just about cardboard boxes.
Use eco-friendly (and wallet-friendly!) packing materials
One of the most important steps of every successful pack is finding the right packing materials. The good news is that you don’t have to run to a big box store and spend your hard-earned money on a bunch of supplies you’ll only use once!
Here are a few ideas that’ll help protect your belongings, the planet, and your wallet:
- Rent reusable plastic moving totes. Instead of defaulting to cardboard and tape, rent some sturdy moving bins from a local company. In addition to being both cost-effective and eco-friendly, these totes are convenient! They can be delivered to your old place before you move and picked up from your new home after you’ve unpacked.
- Use recyclable or biodegradable packing materials. Packing paper, newsprint, and cornstarch foam are great ways to save the earth and pad your prized possessions.
- Use what you already have. Did you know that your home is a wealth of packing supplies? Use your suitcases, duffle bags, and plastic bins as boxes, and wrap delicate items in towels, sweatshirts, and extra bed linens.
- Find free moving boxes. If you know someone who recently moved, ask them for their gently-used boxes. You can also scour the internet and social media, and call some local places that might have free moving boxes to save you a few bucks on your overall move.
Keep in mind, though, that not all packing materials are good packing materials. As you gather the items you’ll need for your pack, there are a few supplies to avoid altogether.
Packing materials that professional movers and packers avoid
Most people aren’t professionally-trained packers. Even if you move to a new apartment each year and consider yourself a seasoned veteran, there are some packing supplies you might not know to avoid.
One packing material to cross off of your shopping list is bubble wrap. Although this padded stuff is really satisfying to pop, it comes with several issues that aren’t great for your move. First, it’s not biodegradable—it’ll just end up in a landfill after you use it. It’s also expensive and time-consuming, as you have to cut or tear each piece to accommodate what you’re packing. Finally, it can leave little bubble-shaped marks on glass and other delicates, which you’ll have to scrub off as you unpack. In many cases, it’s best to forego bubble wrap entirely.
A second packing supply to avoid is the dreaded oversized box. It’s so tempting to grab a few giant boxes and toss all sorts of stuff inside, but keep in mind that the weight adds up quickly. You and your movers might not be able to safely carry a big, heavy box, and even double-walled or reinforced cardboard boxes might not hold up to the weight. Instead, go with medium and small boxes to keep yourself, your belongings, and your movers and packers safe.
What not to pack when moving
As you start roaming room to room in your home to plan your pack, it’s important to understand what items you shouldn’t box up. If you’re hiring professional movers and packers, keep in mind that there are some things they’re not legally allowed to pack and transport, including:
- Currency (including coin collections)
- Firearms and ammunition
- Flammable items like gas cans and propane tanks
- Jewelry
- Medication
- Valuable or sensitive documents like passports, house deeds, and vehicle titles
If you have any of these items, it’s best practice to transport them in your personal vehicle during your move. Additionally, there are some items that should not be boxed and stacked up inside a moving truck since the temperature in the box isn’t controlled. Here are a few examples:
- Batteries
- Paint and paint thinner
- Vehicle fluid, including motor oil
Since you can control the heat and air conditioning inside your personal vehicle, plan to transport these items on your own instead of packing them into boxes that could end up on the back of the moving truck. Similarly, pack up a cooler with the perishable food from your refrigerator or freezer (anything you didn’t gorge on in the last days at your old home, that is!) and bring that to your new place in your own car.
Some items can be packed up weeks ahead of time, and others will need to be packed right before you move. It’s helpful to establish a packing timeline to keep yourself on track.
The ideal packing timeline
One of the best ways to set yourself up for a smooth and successful relocation is to start with a helpful moving checklist, which can guide you through the weeks leading up to your moving day. If possible, try to stick to this general packing timeline:
- At least one month before your move: Obtain estimates from local movers and packers and start gathering your packing supplies.
- At least three weeks before your move: Formalize your booking with your local moving company and start packing up the items you won’t need until you’re settled into your new place.
- Two weeks before your move: Start emptying out drawers and cabinets and boxing up the contents.
- One week before your move: Identify what you’ll need between now and your move day and put those items aside so they’re not accidentally packed into boxes. Pack a little bit each day so you’re ready for your move day!
The day before your move, pack a box of essentials for your first night at your new place. Include things like toiletries, snacks, and the kids’ favorite toys or books—anything that’ll make the first few hours in your new home fun and stress-free.
Packing tips
Picture this: your moving day is approaching, you’ve gathered the best packing materials, and you’ve created a list of items you’re going to transport on your own instead of stashing on the moving truck. Now you can really dig into the actual prep and pack for your big day! Start by following these tips from professional movers and packers:
- Pack seasonal items first. Box up out-of-season clothing, holiday decorations, and anything else you won’t miss if it’s packed away for a while.
- Set up a packing station. Choose a room with a nice, big table where you can spread out your packing paper, plastic moving bins, and/or cardboard boxes.
- Pick the right size boxes. The best practice for packing books and other heavy items is to use small boxes so the box size and weight stay manageable.
- Fill up the boxes completely. Particularly when you’re packing glasses and other breakable items, fill all voids with packing paper or soft materials like towels and clothing. This helps prevent the box’s contents from jiggling around and getting damaged.
- Label your heart out. Label the sides and top of each box with the room and a brief description of the contents, and slap a big, bright “FRAGILE” sticker on at least two sides of any boxes that contain delicate items.
Because packing is so important, many people who have an upcoming move choose to hire a professional company that can take care of both their pack and their move. So if you’re not entirely confident in your packing skills, bring in the experts to help out!
Let the best movers and packers in Chicago lend a hand!
There’s a lot to keep in mind when you’re packing for a move, including what materials to use, which ones to avoid, and how to safely pack up the contents of your home. As the best movers and packers in Chicago, we can help with everything from moving supplies to expert labor.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and to get a free estimate!