A sufficient number of boxes is critical to a successful move. Purchase boxes from your mover, bring home copy paper boxes from work or collect them from the liquor store. All of these boxes are sturdy and can be filled with anything from books to china. Even when full, the box sizes make them relatively easy to carry. For hanging garments and clothes, request large wardrobe boxes from the movers. Clothes will make the transition from location to location with minimal wrinkles.
Protect your valuables before you put them in a box. You can use newspaper, bubblewrap, peanuts or a combination of all three. Bubblewrap is best for valuables like china and glasses. Use newspaper to separate pots and pans and minimize scratching. Packing peanuts take up a lot of room in a moving box, but can be used to stabilize oddly-shaped pieces like vases and lamps. With vases, the peanuts can provide a buffer inside the object as well as the outside.
Use strong, clear acrylic moving tape to keep your boxes closed and your personals safe. The tape sticks easily to cardboard, plastic or glass, yet removes easily. You can also purchase a tape dispenser which speeds up your packing process. If you don't have moving tape, you can use vinyl electric tape.
It is crucial that you label every box. Use a thick soft marker, like a Sharpie. It is easy to read from a distance on most boxes. At minimum, label the boxes by room: kitchen, bedroom, den; this helps when you unpack. If you are really organized, label each box with specifics as to what it contains, like pots and pans, dishware or toiletries. Professional movers will place the corresponding boxes in the correct rooms.
Even in a large move, there are always things you feel more comfortable bringing yourself, like expensive jewelry, plants or a vacuum so you can start cleaning in your new home. Use extra blankets in your car to cover and protect your valuables. They will prevent your items from knocking around in the car and hide them if you make any stops along the way.
