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Got an upcoming move? You can protect your stuff, minimize stress, and save money by packing moving boxes the right way. Here are 7 essential tips to guide you through the sometimes overwhelming process of moving house and packing up.

1. Use the right size of boxes. It’s tempting to order a large quantity of medium-sized boxes and call it good. They’ll all fit nicely in the moving van that way, right? But the problem with just using one size of boxes is that you increase the chances of damaging your belongings and injuring yourself during the move. Heavy, dense items like books should be packed in small boxes, while medium weight items like towels or linens can go in medium sized boxes. Large boxes get heavy really fast and even if you’re strong enough to muscle them around, the box may tear out if you pack it heavily. Plastics, lightweight kitchen items, and small appliances (like a toaster) can go in larger boxes.
2. Good labeling is your best friend. If you want an organized move, you need to get busy with a marker. Write clearly on the box what is inside it, so you can access items as needed once you move in. This way, you won’t be tearing open 50 boxes just to find a towel the morning after moving day. Good labeling is also essential anytime you plan to keep items in a storage unit.
3. Invest in the right packaging materials. A large roll of bubble wrap is pretty cheap when you compare it to the cost of broken dishes, or the price of a new laptop. Wrap dishes, electronics, and other breakable items appropriately and label them “Fragile.” Packaging peanuts, moving wrap paper, and similar supplies will help fill your boxes out properly so they don’t crush in during a move and damage your belongings.
4. Use furniture pads. You can rent them quite cheaply, and they will protect your furniture while it’s in transit. It will protect your furniture from weather damage as well as from friction damage, dents, and dings. Furniture will rub against other items in the moving van, which can wear out fabric, scratch metal and plastic, damage leather, and ruin the finish of wood. If you’re thinking of using your own quilts or blankets, take a look at the grease marks on the bottom of a moving van floor. Do you really want that dirt and grime on your own blankets?
5. Pack belongings into “Now” and “Later” boxes. If you’re moving in a hurry, or will have limited time once you move in before you start a new job or your college classes, sort belongings into things you need immediately and things you need later. Immediate needs are things you must have on a daily or weekly basis. Pack these items in boxes with a #1 clearly marked on them, so you can find them first and unpack them as soon as you move in. “Need later” items are things like your old yearbooks, fine china, holiday decor, seasonal items, off season sports equipment, and similar items. Label these items appropriately, including a #2 if you want them unpacked in the later stages of your move-in. If you’re moving into a smaller place, you might want to consider storing some of these items in a self-storage unit for the short term, at least until you get your new place organized. That way, you won’t be tripping over these valuable items as you settle in.
6. Pack items according to the room you’re moving them into. For instance, if you don’t have a home office in your current place but your new place does, gather all your office items now and box them up together. This will make moving in to your new place easier.
7. Pack a “Day 1 moving box” for everyone in your family, including pets. Pack everything you’d need if you were going on a trip to a place with very few amenities (including a few changes of clothes, hair dryer, shampoo, etc.). Some people pack suitcases for their “Day 1 moving box.” Pets need food, dishes, and a few comfort items. You will also need towels, toilet paper, a few snacks, possibly the coffee maker, and some soap. If you haven’t had time to clean the new place before you move in, you can pack disinfectant wipes and cleaning supplies to tidy things up a bit before you settle in.

With the right organization, you can make a successful move and start to feel settled in your new place within a few weeks. If you need extra storage space during your move in Florida, Connecticut, or New York, reserve a clean storage unit today at Value Store It.