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How to Pack Your House Before a Move?

Writer's picture: S. PayneS. Payne

Updated: Jan 2




Packing your belongings for a move can be a big task, but with the right strategy and materials, it can be done efficiently. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pack your house before a move:


  1. Start Early

    - Timeline: Begin packing at least 4–6 weeks before your move date. Start with items you use least often (e.g., seasonal decorations, rarely used kitchen gadgets) and gradually move toward everyday essentials.

    - Create a Packing Schedule: Break down the packing process by room and set weekly goals to avoid last-minute stress.


  2. Gather Packing Supplies

    - Boxes: Get sturdy moving boxes in various sizes. You can purchase them from a moving supply store or your moving company. Also, consider specialty boxes for dishes, wardrobe, and mirrors.

    - Packing Materials: You’ll need packing paper, bubble wrap, moving blankets, packing peanuts, and foam sheets to protect fragile items.

    - Tape and Labels: Use high-quality packing tape and permanent markers or labels to seal and identify boxes.


  3. Declutter Before Packing

    - Sort Through Items: Go through each room and decide what you want to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Moving is a great time to declutter and reduce the amount of stuff you need to pack and move.

    - Donation and Disposal: Drop off items at donation centers or schedule a pickup for large donations. Discard or recycle anything broken or no longer useful.


  4. Pack by Room

    - Pack One Room at a Time: Focus on packing one room at a time to stay organized. Label each box by the room it belongs to, and write a brief description of the contents (e.g., “Kitchen – Plates & Glassware”).

    - Use Smaller Boxes for Heavy Items: Keep boxes lighter and easier to carry by packing heavier items like books in smaller boxes. Use larger boxes for lighter items like pillows and bedding.


  5. Pack Fragile Items with Care

    - Wrap Each Item Individually: Wrap dishes, glassware, and other breakable items in packing paper or bubble wrap. Use dividers for glasses and dishware to prevent shifting during transport.

    - Fill Empty Spaces: Use crumpled packing paper or towels to fill empty spaces in boxes with fragile items to prevent movement.

    - Mark Boxes as “Fragile”: Clearly label boxes containing delicate items to ensure careful handling during the move.


  6. Disassemble Furniture

    - Take Apart Larger Pieces: Disassemble large furniture items such as beds, tables, and desks. Keep screws and small parts in labeled plastic bags, and tape them to the respective piece of furniture.

    - Protect with Moving Blankets: Wrap furniture with moving blankets or bubble wrap to prevent scratches and damage during transport.


  7. Pack Clothing Efficiently

    - Wardrobe Boxes: Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes to keep them wrinkle-free. These boxes come with a built-in bar for easy hanging.

    - Clothing in Drawers: Leave lightweight clothing in drawers, but secure them with plastic wrap or tape to keep them closed during transport.

    - Suitcases and Duffle Bags: Pack additional clothes, shoes, and accessories in suitcases, backpacks, and duffle bags to maximize space.


  8. Label Every Box

    - Room and Contents: Write the room name and a summary of the contents on each box. This helps movers place boxes in the correct room, and it makes unpacking easier for you.

    - Priority Labeling: Mark boxes with items you’ll need immediately upon arrival as “Open First” (e.g., toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen items).


  9. Pack Essential Items Separately

    - Essentials Box: Set aside a box with essentials for the first night in your new home, such as toiletries, medications, important documents, chargers, basic kitchen items, and a change of clothes.

    - Valuables: Keep valuable items like jewelry, important paperwork, passports, and financial documents in a separate, secure bag that you transport yourself.


  10. Prepare Electronics

    - Take Photos of Connections: Before disconnecting electronic devices like TVs, computers, and gaming systems, take photos of the wiring and connections to make reassembly easier.

    - Pack Cables Separately: Bundle and label cords and cables, placing them in ziplock bags. Use the original boxes for electronics if possible, or wrap them in bubble wrap and pack them in sturdy boxes.


Additional Packing Tips:


  • Don’t Overpack Boxes: Avoid making boxes too heavy, which can increase the risk of damage or injury. Try to keep each box under 50 lbs.

  • Use Towels and Linens for Padding: Save money and space by using towels, blankets, and linens to cushion fragile items.

  • Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy: Leave out a few cleaning supplies to clean your old home after everything is packed.

By following these steps and staying organized, you can make the process of packing your house before a move more efficient and stress-free.

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