# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Packing for Trips

How to Assemble the Packing Box

Packing your own cardboard boxes for a move is an easy way to save money. You can leave challenging items, such as mattresses, appliances and furniture, for professional movers, and you can pack clothes, dishes, toys and other sundry items. A rule of thumb is to use smaller boxes for heavier items, such as books, and limit the weight of the box to 40 lbs. Lift boxes by bending your knees to avoid injury to your back.

Packing box
Packing tape
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the top and bottom of the box.
- 2
  Open the box. Pinpoint the two flaps at the bottom of the box that do not have printing. Fold those flaps. Then fold the second pair of bottom flaps, which are the outer flaps.
- 3
  Pull out 6 inches of tape for overlap before you start. Start taping the box down the center of the flaps and the length of the box. Leave another 6 inches of tape at the end. Press the loose ends of the tape down.
- 4
  Rotate the box. Tape the edges on the outside of the box using the same process in Step 3.
- 5
  Turn the box over. Tape the two bottom flaps on the inside of the box so that they do not pop up when you are packing.