Seven Brothers Moving hardworking, honest, professional movers are happy to help with all of your packing needs and we bring our own supplies!  However, we realize, many times you may be moving on a budget so hiring packers may not be an option.  If you have to do your own packing, here are some handy tips to help you do it right.

Even before you start “packing” there are some things you can do to make your move go more smoothly. 

1. Create a “Moving File” with all the important paperwork you will need throughout your move. This should contain things like your moving truck and/or moving company reservations, medical records for your family and your pets, travel reservation information, and contact information for people like your realtor or property management. Keep this file in a safe place where you won’t accidentally pack it.
2. Clean out the kitchen. Get rick of things you don’t use. Use food storage containers for all of the loose things in your drawers. 
3. Pack a suitcase or box for each family member a few days in advance. This should contain all the items you will need for the last day before you leave your house, your trip to your new home, and the first day or two there while you’re unpacking the rest.
4. Pack an “Open First” box with the things you will want right away when you arrive at your new home. This might be things like dish soap, cleaning cloths, paper towels, toiletries, a few pots and pans, and plastic plates and cups.  You might want to throw in a few snacks too.  Think about small items you might want to access before you unpack all of your boxes.

Now for the rest of it.  Let’s get started!

1. Gather all of your supplies. Packing will be more efficient and less stressful if you gather together everything you will need first.  We recommend:
   1. Moving boxes of different sizes
   2. Padding supplies
   3. Newspapers or blank newsprint paper (sold wherever you buy moving supplies)
   4. Scissors or box knife
   5. Packing tape
   6. Labeling stickers
   7. Marking pens
2. Pack items that belong in the same room in the same box and label it. Pack one room at a time starting with smaller items to get them out of the way.  Label and tape each box so you can find everything when you unpack.
3. Use small boxes for heavy items. Not only are they more difficult to move, over-packed boxes are more likely to break, damaging the contents. 
4. Place heavier items at the bottom of the box. Lighter items can be placed on top to prevent damage.  Use wadded newspapers to fill empty spaces of boxes or cartons.
5. Wrap individual items in paper or bubble wrap. If you are trying to save space, towels can also be used as packing material.  Give extra care and attention to fragile items.  You should use extra padding materials for these more fragile items.  YouTube videos can show you how to wrap and pack specific fragile items like dinnerware and vases.
6. Take apart large items and place all hardware in Ziploc bags. You can either label bags and place them all together in one place or tape the bag to the item from which it was taken.
7. Keep tools and small electronic accessories together in one place. Keeping small items like earbuds, headphones, remote controls, power cords, extension cords, nails and screws, and small tools together in a box will make settling in and re-assembling much easier.
8. Stack all your boxes when you’re finished and make sure they are taped and labeled.
9. Double check each room to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Double check again after the truck has been filled by doing a last walk-through with your movers. After you have checked a room, close the door and leave it!

If you have any questions about how to pack items effectively or about how we can pack your items, don’t hesitate to give Seven Brothers Moving a call today!