There’s no denying that moving homes can be stressful. But the stress associated with a move can be significantly reduced if you pack effectively. Whether you are moving belongings into a storage facility like Fort Knox Storage or directly to a new home, it’s important to be organised and have all the supplies that you need immediately to hand.
Get Into the Action Early
There is no better tip than to start to organise and prepare for your move as early as possible. You probably have more belongings than you realise and packing boxes can take a significant amount of time. Leaving the packing to the last minute is never wise, as there are so many things that need to be done before the move.
Of course, you can’t pack absolutely everything before you move, but pack as much as you can and keep essential items aside.
Use strong boxes
If you can, use proper removalist cartons. Other cartons are not as strong or durable, and are more likely to be damaged when they are moved. Don’t underestimate the heartbreak of the contents of a carefully packed box falling through to the ground. You should also be careful with plastic storage boxes which can weaken or experience cracking when subjected to weight and pressure.
To support your moving boxes, use proper packing tape to seal your boxes. Using other types of tape can be problematic as they often do not sufficiently adhere to cartons.
Use labels, and plenty of them
Remember that your belongings may be mixed with the belongings of other people in a truck, and depending on how far you are moving, your goods may even be transferred from one truck to another. It’s critical that every box you have is clearly labelled. On each label, record: your name, address, telephone number, and be sure to identify that a particular carton contains fragile items.
Items that can be boxed, should be
It’s highly possible that small and loose items can be damaged as a move takes place. If you have items that can go into boxes, ensure that they do. It’s generally safer for them to be boxed.
If empty spaces remain in your cartons, fill them with scrunched up paper or other such materials so that there is less space for items to move around and break.
Put heavy items in smaller boxes
When moving, the best place for books and other heavy items is in smaller cartons. Heavy items packed in the bottom of larger cartons increases the chance of them falling out, or the box being very difficult to carry. Try to avoid any carton weighing more than fifteen to twenty kilograms.
Avoid newspaper
Although newspapers can seem like a good option for filling surplus spaces in boxes, or for wrapping up items, it has a tendency to leave dirty marks on your items. Butchers paper is a far better option.
There is a lot to think about when moving house. By following these tips, it is possible to be organised as you pack, and take steps that will help your move be as smooth as possible.
