Start gathering up you packing materials well before moving day; waiting until the last minute can force you to buy expensive containers and make the process much more stressful. Pack a few boxes and bags as soon as you know you’re moving, to get an idea of how much they’ll hold, and help determine how many you’ll need.
Boxes are ideal because of their uniform size and shape. Some moving companies and truck rental agencies will supply them for free or for a small fee when you hire their services.
Boxes can be purchased or gotten for free. Most boxes that you can find behind supermarkets or other stores are sturdy enough for regular packing needs; just be sure to ask the store owner or manager if it’s all right to take some first. If you have particularly heavy or delicate items to pack, you might want to invest in specialty boxes made of extra-thick cardboard, or with built-in storage pockets.
When choosing bags, remember that cheap bags are no good if you need to use two of them, or if they fall apart when you pick them up. Cheap bags are also more likely to end up with holes in them if you use them to hold objects with sharp edges.
Consider bags that can be collapsed with a vacuum cleaner. These are great for packing clothing and bedding, and, once collapsed, take up far less space than traditional bags designed for the same purpose.
Don’t forget about your luggage when looking for containers. You have to move it anyway, so why not put it to good use and fill it up before you load it on the truck.
Sketch a diagram of the interior of your moving van and map out where you’ll be placing your boxes, bags, furniture and other items. This will help you ensure that you have enough space for all of your belongings, and also help you determine the best placement to make the most of the space in your van.
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