Our clients often ask us how to best prepare to move. Very often people want to know how to pack their boxes, what boxes and materials to use to secure their valuables, and how to best make use of space. We have created this article to help guide you in your moving preparation. Read on!
Best packing materials for removals and storage
The most common question we are asked is what kind of boxes to use, and how to build and tape them to maximise safety of packed items. Choosing the appropriate packing materials might seem simple enough, but it is crucial to the whole removals process that your belongings are packed safely and correctly. For a full step-by-step approach, our guide to organizing your moving boxes covers how to sort, stack, and label every carton before moving day. If you are working without specialist supplies, our guide to packing fragile items without bubble wrap covers practical alternatives that still keep your belongings protected in transit.
Boxes: not a one-size-fits-all situation
It is important to correctly match boxes sizes/types to your belongings that you want to move or store. Destination plays a big role in deciding what kind of packing materials to use: new home, temporary accommodation, garage or storage. For a clear system once boxes are loaded, our guide to labelling your moving boxes walks you through six simple steps. Before you start packing, read our advice on sourcing free moving boxes so you can reduce costs without compromising on the quality of your materials.
For all types of moves we usually recommend strong double walled boxes for peace of mind, especially with delicate items like glass. More often than not, however, normal boxes will suffice for moving from property A to property B in a direct move. When moving belongings into storage spaces, whether rented or your personal garage, we recommend boxes of the best possible quality to ensure longer term security of your personal items. If you have a large collection of heavy volumes, our detailed guide to packing books safely for a move explains how to distribute weight and protect spines. For kitchenware in particular, our dedicated guide on packing dishes and glasses for a move walks you through the layering and wrapping techniques that prevent breakages.
Price difference is negligible on single box of this quality, but when you’re packing tens or hundreds of boxes this can add up.
If your boxes contain delicate items, our dedicated guide to packing breakables safely covers the right materials and techniques. Larger items that cannot fit in boxes need a different approach entirely, so take a look at our guide to packing furniture for moving once your boxes are sorted.
Breaking it down: the items you are packing and the boxes you can use
- medium boxes: use these to pack glass, china, ornaments, food, CDs, books, documents; they measure 46cm x 30cm x 30cm
- large boxes: perfect for packing clothes, pillows, linens, towels, toys, pots and pans
- special boxes: these are double-walled like wardrobe boxes, wine boxes, picture boxes, vinyl records boxes
2D to 3D
By preparing your boxes properly, you lower the risk of something breaking during the removal process. The most important part when building a box is securing the bottom of the box; this should be done using a good quality tape. Our dedicated guide to packing plates and glasses walks through the exact wrapping and stacking techniques that keep kitchenware intact in transit. Once you have unpacked, our tips on disposing of cardboard boxes after moving will help you clear the clutter responsibly — you can also check RecycleNow’s moving house recycling guide for advice on what to do with leftover materials rather than sending everything straight to landfill.
You have couple of taping techniques to choose from: Once packed, our advice on organising boxes for a move will help you keep track of every item during the move.
Keep in mind the purpose of the box i.e type and weight of the items you intend to pack in it. Each of the above options will secure your box for quite a bit of weight. Once your boxes are ready, our advice on packing a moving container shows how to load them efficiently so nothing shifts during the journey.
When packing fragile items:
When you are packing fragile items like glass, china, delicate vases, small lamps, or crystal, it is a good practice to use bubble wrap or packing paper as a cushion on the bottom of the box as well as filler to avoid anything moving inside a box during transit.
For room-by-room guidance, our full walkthrough on packing household items covers everything from the kitchen to the loft.
Seal and label your boxes appropriately
Seal the box once it’s packed. You can choose from the same techniques you used to secure the bottom of the box, as listed above. If your timeline has tightened, our last-minute moving help is available for urgent bookings with short notice across London.
Once the box is packed and sealed we recommend describing the box using a permanent marker. It is often the case that pens or regular markers are easily erased when moving, transporting and keeping the boxes in storage. Label the box with the type of items, indicate that it is fragile if the box contains glass or china, write “This Side Up” where appropriate, and even indicate which room the box will eventually be needed in (i.e. “Kitchen”). For any packaging materials you can’t reuse, check your local council’s recycling collection service via GOV.UK to dispose of them responsibly. Not only will this help secure the safety of your items but it will also help you to unpack your belongings with greater ease once they have arrived at their final destination. The more descriptive your labeling, the easier it will be for you to unpack in your new home.
To summarize, here are 4 steps to build a box:
- Match a box type to the nature of the items you wish to pack
- Match the box type to the item’s destination (new home, storage, garage)
- Properly tape the box, both in securing the bottom and sealing the top – this is particularly important when lifting heavy items
- Label the box in a detailed manner to avoid confusion in transportation and unpacking
We hope this article has been useful in assisting you to prepare for your move!
We would be more than happy to provide a quote for our professional packing service.
