Most moving damage does not happen on the truck. It happens inside boxes that were packed too loosely, too heavy or with the wrong materials. Good packing protects your things, makes move day faster and turns unpacking into a simple job instead of a hunt. This guide walks through the supplies you need and how to pack each room.
Get the right supplies
- Small boxes for books, tools and anything heavy
- Medium boxes for kitchen items, toys and most household things
- Large boxes for pillows, bedding and light, bulky items
- Dish boxes with dividers for plates and glasses
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Packing paper, bubble wrap, strong packing tape and a marker
A simple rule: heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes. A large box full of books is hard to carry and more likely to break.
Label every box
Write the room and a short list of contents on the top and on one side of every box. Number the boxes and keep a list on your phone. Mark fragile boxes clearly and point them out to the crew on move day. At the new home, the crew can put each box straight into the right room.
Kitchen
The kitchen takes the longest and holds the most fragile items. Wrap each plate in paper and stand plates on edge in a dish box, like records, not flat. Wrap glasses one at a time and fill gaps with crumpled paper so nothing moves when you shake the box gently. Pack pots and pans together, and keep a small box of everyday dishes, a pan and utensils for the first night.
Living room
Remove lamp shades and bulbs and pack them separately. Wrap picture frames and mirrors in paper, then in a blanket or bubble wrap, and stand them on edge. Coil cables, put them in labeled bags and tape the bag to the device. Take photos of how your TV and electronics are connected before you unplug them.
Bedrooms
Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes so they arrive ready to hang. Folded clothes can stay in light dresser drawers if your mover agrees, but remove anything heavy, fragile or valuable. Pack bedding and pillows in large boxes, and keep a set of sheets for the first night in your essentials bag.
Bathroom
Tape the lids on liquids or put them in sealed bags. Pack medicines in your essentials bag, not on the truck. Keep toiletries for the first few days separate so you can find them quickly.
Garage and basement
Many Rochester homes have full basements and garages that fill up over the years. Start here early. Drain gas from mowers and trimmers and empty propane tanks, because fuel, paint and chemicals cannot go on a moving truck. Bundle long-handled tools together with tape.
What to pack yourself
- Important documents, passports and records
- Jewelry, cash and other valuables
- Medications
- Laptops and chargers you need right away
- An essentials bag for the first night
When to get help
If you are short on time, have a lot of fragile items or are moving a long distance, professional packing is worth considering. Our packing services cover the whole home or just the kitchen and fragile items. For heavy and delicate pieces such as pianos, see our piano moving service.
Planning the rest of your move? Our 8-week moving checklist covers everything from booking movers to move day. Questions? Call Moving Company Rochester at (585) 555-0183.