10 Packing Tips from Professional Movers

## 1. Start with a Declutter Pass Before you pack a single box, go room by room and separate items into keep, donate, sell, and trash piles. Moving is charged by weight or time — every item you don't move saves you money. Be ruthless. If you haven't used it in a year, it probably doesn't need to make the trip.

## 2. Use the Right Box for the Job Small boxes for heavy items (books, tools, canned goods). Medium boxes for general household items. Large boxes for lightweight, bulky items (linens, pillows, lampshades). Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. Dish pack boxes with cell dividers for glasses and stemware. Using the wrong size box leads to crushed items or boxes that are too heavy to lift safely.

## 3. Pack Plates Vertically Wrap each plate individually in packing paper, then stand them on edge in the box — like records in a crate. Plates are far more resistant to pressure from above when stored vertically than when stacked flat. Fill any gaps with crumpled paper to prevent shifting.

## 4. Reinforce the Bottom of Every Box A single strip of tape on the bottom is not enough. Use the H-taping method: one strip down the center seam and one strip across each side. For heavy boxes, add a second layer. The bottom of the box takes all the weight — reinforce it accordingly.

## 5. Wrap Furniture Before Disassembly Before taking apart a bed frame or table, wrap the individual pieces in moving blankets or stretch wrap. Put all hardware (screws, bolts, Allen keys) in a labeled zip-lock bag and tape it directly to the furniture piece it belongs to. Take a photo of the assembled piece for reference.

## 6. Fill Every Box Completely A half-empty box will collapse when stacked. Fill gaps with packing paper, towels, or clothing. The top of the box should be flat — not bulging and not caved in. If you can't fill it, it's the wrong size box.

## 7. Label on Multiple Sides Write the destination room and a brief contents description on at least two sides of the box — not just the top. Boxes get stacked and turned during loading. Labeling on the side means you can identify the box without unstacking everything.

## 8. Pack an Essentials Box Last The last box you pack should be the first one you open. Include: phone chargers, toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, snacks, paper towels, toilet paper, basic tools, and important documents. Label it clearly and keep it with you — not on the truck.

## 9. Protect Screens and Glass TVs, monitors, and framed artwork need extra care. If you have the original box, use it. Otherwise, wrap in a moving blanket, then cover with stretch wrap. Mark the box or item as "FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP." Never lay a flat-screen TV face-down.

## 10. Take Photos of Electronics Before unplugging your TV, router, gaming console, or stereo, take a photo of the cable connections. Label each cable with a piece of tape. This saves significant time and frustration during setup at the new place.