| Before you move and storage your belongings, a | | | | the tape holding the box closed). |
| vital part to making sure those belongings are kept | | | | 6) Fill Boxes In Layers - Put the heaviest stuff on the |
| safe is based on how you package them. The | | | | bottom of the box first, then medium weight next, |
| packing process can seem overwhelming at first, but | | | | and lightest items on top. Not only will this keep your |
| a plan ahead of time can ease the process. That's | | | | items safe but also help you stay organized. |
| why the employees at A Space Place Storage, who | | | | 7) Pack Wisely - Pack fragile items away from |
| have expert knowledge in packing; have compiled the | | | | corners and sides of boxes, because that is where |
| following packing tip list to get you started. | | | | most of the travel shocks occurs. Packing peanuts or |
| 1) Gather Supplies Before Starting - Make sure you | | | | even fabric from tip 3 used correctly can help keep |
| have enough packing supplies before you start | | | | items secure and away from box sides and corners. |
| packing. Running out of supplies in the middle of | | | | 8) Don't Over-pack The Box - Over-packing a box |
| packing can be really frustrating and cause you to | | | | risks damage to the contents inside of it. Make sure |
| lose track of your plan for packing. Packing supplies | | | | the tops of boxes can close properly flat, and be |
| that may come in handy are: plastic bags and labels | | | | tape sealed without effort. |
| for identification; foam peanuts; tissue, craft, or | | | | 9) Packing Liquids - Liquids always find a way to spill |
| newspaper for delicate items; packing boxes of | | | | when packed for travel. Make sure to transfer all |
| various sizes; and packing tape (masking tape is too | | | | liquids to a sealed container, or use that packing tape |
| weak to use to tape boxes). | | | | to seal the lids. Then put those items into water |
| 2) Box Size Is Important - Making sure you have the | | | | proof bags and seal that too before placing them |
| right amount of boxes at the right size will save you | | | | upright into their boxes. Clearly mark the box with |
| time and effort. Boxes that are too big and filled up | | | | which end is up so you don't accidentally turn the |
| tend to be too heavy also. Boxes that are too small | | | | box upside down. |
| end up not holding enough and result in you having | | | | 10) Large Box For Small Boxes - Many small similar |
| too many boxes to keep track of. You want boxes | | | | items can be organized into multiple small boxes. Then |
| that don't get too heavy and are manageable. | | | | a larger box can be used to group these similar items |
| Therefore the general rule of thumb is to make sure | | | | together and make carrying them easier. Ten small |
| you keep boxes filled under 50 pounds. | | | | boxes in one big box makes nine less trips for when |
| 3) Use Fabric Wisely - Fabrics such as linens, pillow | | | | loading or unloading your belongings. Just remember |
| cases, and small clothes items like socks can be used | | | | to obey the rule of thumb from tip 2, and not |
| in place of some packing materials and save you | | | | exceed 50 pounds of weight in each box. |
| money. Rolled up pillow cases and folded socks can | | | | 11) Heavy Garbage Bags Pay Off - Spend a few |
| fit in the corners of boxes, or in crevices between | | | | extra dollars that you saved on packing peanuts |
| belongings to fill up extra space and act as | | | | towards the heavier duty garbage bags. These can |
| protection. | | | | be used to pack your clothes, linens, and other soft |
| 4) Pack Boxes By Room - If you're packing because | | | | material items. Regular garbage bags rip too easily. |
| you're moving, categorize each set of boxes for | | | | Also you can use your packed garbage bags to |
| each room you plan to pack. Packing boxes room by | | | | secure boxes next to each other in the moving truck. |
| room makes things more organized and easier to | | | | Placing these garbage bags packed with clothes |
| unpack later. | | | | around the inside of the moving truck will absorb |
| 5) Take Inventory - Keep inventory lists of each box | | | | most of the shock and keep the boxes safe. |
| and it's contents. On each box use labels with brief | | | | 12) Pack Safe, Storage Smart - If your packing to |
| descriptions of it contents. If you're packing boxes | | | | storage your belongings, make sure you put the |
| room by room, color stickers or labels and a color | | | | stuff you'll access the least in the back of the |
| chart could help you easily identify what room to | | | | storage unit. You want to finish filling the storage unit |
| unpack each box for later on. Use a permanent | | | | by putting the boxes of items you'll be taking out the |
| marker to write on the sides of the boxes (not on | | | | most often in the front of the unit. |