8 Steps for Packing a Moving Box the Right Way
Whether you’re in the midst of moving, want to safely store some important possessions, or just going through all your belongings to try to organize them, renting a storage unit is the best move. But between packing up everything, loading things in boxes, and then actually moving everything into your storage unit, it can seem like a lot to deal with. Especially because packing boxes is honestly pretty stressful in and of itself. But A-Plus Super Storage is here to help with that.
We know that packing is one of the hardest parts of moving, and no matter how many times you’ve moved or stored things away in boxes over the course of your life, it never really gets any easier. But packing your entire life into cardboard boxes doesn’t have to be super stressful. In fact, we have eight key steps to packing a moving box the right way that will help anyone get things settled safely into their storage unit.
1. Categorize your belongings
Before you even think about packing things up, it’s important to go through your belongings and categorize them to the best of your abilities. You can categorize by room if you’re moving, or by types of items, importance, or even how old they are if you’re simply putting items in a storage unit for safekeeping. And don’t forget to consider donating or selling items you don’t really need or want to help you stay organized. Only storing items you truly want access to later will help you so much in the long run. If you secretly think Great Aunt Edna’s chafing dish is hideous, now is a great time to let someone who loves it as much as she did have it. (We won’t tell!)
2. Earlier than you think is necessary—trust us
This might be the most important thing to keep in mind while packing for a move, and it can make all the difference. Packing will take longer than you think. It just will. You’ll get distracted, you’ll run out of boxes, or you’ll just need a break. So start packing those moving boxes way earlier than you think is necessary, even though it might seem annoying. Think of items you definitely won’t need for the foreseeable future like seasonal and decorative items, books, or even extra kitchenware, and get started with those. This way you won’t be struggling to get everything organized the last few days before your move or deadline.
3. Label your boxes before you fill them
This sounds pretty obvious, but there are a few ways you can label your moving boxes before you start to pack them. You can write on the outside of the box whatever is inside them, or even use color-coordinated tape to differentiate between the content of each box. Either way, be sure you know what’s going in each box before you start packing.
4. Set aside any day-of necessities
Now, if you are moving and using a storage unit to house your items in the meantime, it’s important you don’t pack away anything you might need the day or week of the move. So set aside items like toiletries, a change of clothes, a phone charger, and the like to be sure you aren’t left without something super important.
5. Pack heavy items at the bottom of the boxes
When it comes to actually putting items into your moving boxes, start with the heaviest item first, placing it on the bottom of the box. This will make lifting and moving it a lot easier. Additionally, use towels or other packing materials to fill in empty spaces in your box so things don’t shift too much during the moving process.
6. Fragile items will require more time and materials
Whether you’re moving or putting valuables into a storage unit, we recommend taking extra care with any fragile items you might have. Whether that’s plates and bowls or an expensive heirloom passed down through generations, don’t be afraid to use as much bubble wrap, packaging paper, and even extra towels as necessary to protect them from breaking.
7. Take inventory if you want to be super organized while moving
While it’s not always necessary to take inventory when packing boxes, it can be helpful when you’re ready to unpack. If you plan to have your items in storage for a while, you might want to take note of everything you’ve packed away in each box, just to stay on top of things. You can number the boxes, then keep a running inventory list of what’s inside box 1, 2, 3, and so on. Then when you inevitably need something, you can check each box’s inventory list before you go unsealing and digging through them all. And when it comes time to unpack them, you know exactly what you’re about to unpack and which room it belongs in.
8. Tape your boxes securely
Last but certainly not least, make sure your moving boxes are taped securely before you load them up. Use packing tape for the best results, double-check that your boxes are labeled, and then you can relax knowing your boxes are packed correctly and ready to move into your storage unit. Once you get them to the storage facility, our tips on packing your unit might come in handy, too!
Packing up your belongings can be stressful. It’s a lot of work and a lot to think about. But by following these simple steps, you can get the job done right and make your life a lot easier when you need to find something that’s put away in your storage unit and when it comes to time to unpack the items for use in their its new home.