How to pack a box

Invest in great boxes

As tempting as it might be to get free boxes consider the benefit of buying good boxes:

• Your things are less likely to be damaged
• They are easier to pack and stack so a faster move overall
• Can be used again and again.

So what makes a great box?  Great boxes are thick and have corrugated carton between their walls.

Last pro tip when you get your boxes, order them in batches of the same size, e.g. 10 large, 20 medium, etc.

Choose the right box for the right items

The heavy compact items should go in small boxes such as books, weights and heavy bottomed pots and pans.  The light but bulky objects such as clothes and linen should be packed in big boxes.  For bottles and glass, consider getting a wine box with carton dividers.  For clothes on hangers, consider buying a clothes rack box.  If you have kept the foam, wrap and boxes that your computers and other electrical goods came in, pack them with that.

Sealing your boxes

Tape the bottom of the box if you have bought it.  Make sure it is secure by taping it at the opening, around the corners and sides as well as putting parallel strips across the box.  The top does not need half as much tape as you want it to open easily.

If your boxes are for hire, use much less tape.  Only one or two strips per opening.  Write on the tape, not on the box to get your box deposit back.

Packing your items in the correct order

Place the heaviest, sturdiest items at the bottom.  For example, if you are packing up the kitchen, pots and pans go first, plastic cooking utensils and silicon cookware last.  If you are packing up the bedroom, shoes and other accessories at the bottom, clothes on top.

Pad, pad, pad some more

Wrap and pad all your items and pack them tightly to avoid breakages.  Use tea towels and linens to wrap your items, as well as paper, plastic wrap and anything you can get your hands on.  Consider a layer of bubble wrap and a layer of paper around fragile items to catch any breakages.

Pack tightly for fragile items

When packing plates, glasses and other fragile items, go for a cosy fit.  The items won’t move around if there isn’t any space in between them.  Fragile items can be heavy.  Don’t pack too many of them on top of each other.  The top part of the box should be padded with butcher paper or bubble wrap.

Do not overpack!!!

If you overpack, when the boxes are stacked and put weight on top of each other, the boxes will bulge at the sides and break.  Even if they don’t break you could damage the box and not get your bond back when you return them.

Leave some space at the top and pad it with paper or blankets.  It is also important to pad the top so when boxes are stacked, they don’t dent each other.

To buy or hire our boxes visit: Boxes and Packing Material