Packing is likely the most difficult part of moving. After lifting heavy stuff, it is important to make sure that you properly pack your valuables to cut back damage when they are being shipped.
Wrong packing boxes result in possible problems. Also, the right packing turns the unpacking process into a more manageable task when you get to your new home.
Here, we will talk about popular mistakes to avoid as you pack for your move.
- Using the Wrong Size of Moving Boxes
The use of random-sized moving boxes is one of the popular mistakes made by homeowners during a move. While recycling your old fruit boxes and liquor boxes is a good idea, it is a difficult task to use them to pack and achieve a uniform result in the moving truck.
To save you the stress of sorting everything out, make use of specialized moving boxes that are available in three major sizes: small, medium, and large. This ensures easy stacking of boxes and you won’t find it difficult to sort things out during packing.
- Too Heavy Moving Box
One other mistake people often make is to pack too heavy items in just one box. This will not only make carrying the box a difficult job, but it also affects the integrity of the moving box too. Have you ever seen people carrying a super heavy box and started falling from the bottom suddenly? Avoid this by distributing heavy stuff in many moving boxes and ensure the box doesn’t weigh more than 40 pounds.
- Overpacking/Underpacking the Boxes
Packing too much stuff in/on boxes generally leads to visual deformities. The covers of the boxes no longer close perfectly, and it becomes difficult to safely transport the boxes.
Pilling differently shaped boxes on top of another in a moving truck only causes potential trial to collapse and damage to the items you have inside.
Prevent these situations by making sure each flap of the boxes closes easily. When you jam the flaps down, it will only lead to a breakage of the items at the top.
Under-packing is another issue you should be worried about. If you have a half-full box, add some layers of packing materials inside it to reach the flap.
Packing the moving boxes properly as recommended will prevent stress on the day of your move. However, immediately the boxes are transported safely, the next will add to hours of tiredness.
- Not Labeling Your Boxes
This is not the biggest packing mistake you can make, but it is a serious issue when you start to unload and unpack. You don’t need to list all the contents in each box, but you should label your moving boxes with the room they go in as well as whether it contains a fragile item.
If there are essential items in a box that needs to be unpacked first, for instance, supplies that you need for deep cleaning the new home, label it on the box, too.
Also, if you have items you will occasionally use (such as seasonal clothing as well as holiday decorations) then you can write it out too. The more information you write out on your moving boxes, the easier time you have during unpacking of every stage.
- Leaving Free Spaces in the Box
While overpacking your boxes are not recommended, you should also not leave space in the box. Empty spaces imply that your belongings will shift in various directions during the move which can lead to damage of delicate items. If you don’t have items to fill in the empty spaces, use packing nuts to fill them. Packing peanuts provide a layer of cushioning to protect your goods from shifting and sliding while on the road.
- The Use of Plastic Bags and Not Boxes
Some people use plastic bags when they no longer have moving boxes. This idea is so terrible since plastic bags cannot protect your belongings. If you’ve exhausted your boxes, you can visit your nearest store and request old liquor boxes or grocery boxes. Stores often give them out for free, so, ensure you benefit from that and do not use plastic bags for any reason.
- Packing on the Rush
Rushing to pack is one of the worst things you can ever do during a home relocation. Aside from squeezing everything in moving boxes, you may even be late on your moving arrangement. Like the popular saying, haste makes waste and this is so much true with packing. You should begin to pack a week before and keep your essentials, such as emergency kits, toiletries, as well as other important items in the different boxes before the move.
- Not Using Sufficient Tape
You cannot use regular tape and expect a good result of keeping your boxes together. Instead, get packing tape of high quality that is 2-inches wide. Begin from the bottom by adding multiple layers of tape and repeat the same for the sides for extra stability. Many professional movers make use of the “H-tape” approach where they tape the flaps at the middle and its sides. Use this method and your moving boxes will remain closed and secure all through the whole move.
- Not Decluttering Before You Pack
Before you begin to pack, it is better to dispose of items that you no longer need, such as broken/damaged furniture, old clothes, and other items of no value. You can also donate them to charity where they can have better use for them. You want to avoid coming with clutter into your new household, so, ensure you first declutter to simplify packing.
- Doing it on Your Own
Be quick to get help when you are packing your items. Packing is not what just one person can complete and it needs teamwork to complete the process. The more people you are involved in the job, the easier and stress-free the process is for you.
If your family and friends are not available, professional moving companies at Native Van Lines are always there to assist you with the work. It is easy, stress-free and the best part of it is that you will sit back and they do the entire job.
Conclusion
Avoiding popular mistakes that people can make during the packing of boxes is a major step to a seamless move. If you want to avoid dealing with packing, just hire a full-service moving company. Visit our moving company section to find a trustworthy long-distance movers nearest to you.
