Packing can be time-consuming but our hints and tips will help you pack more efficiently. If you still don’t fancy it, Smile Moves can help with a full packing service.
Making Up and Sealing the Boxes
If you’re using our boxes, tape them along the seam to hold the box together then along the seam to seal the box. Do the same on the top of the box and write across the tape, using a permanent marker, the room where the box is to be placed and a brief description of the contents eg. BED 1 (shoes), KITCHEN (tinned food), etc.
Mark the appropriate boxes ‘FRAGILE’ to ensure careful handling and loading.
Which Box to Use?
Small Boxes
- Heavy, small items such as records, tins, bottles, cutlery, heavy food (rice, sugar etc) and heavy ornaments
- Long stemmed glasses, delicate ornaments, very fragile china, glasses and small pictures
Books, for the most part, should be packed flat. They may be packed on their edges, but never with the opening facing downwards as this may break the binding. Pictures and records should be packed on their edges. Make sure that bottle tops are tight and pack bottles upright.
Medium Sized Boxes
- Most commonly used for other household effects such as pots, pans, glass, china, ornaments, pictures, clothing, food etc.
- Do not overfill the boxes; keep them square and in shape
- When packing china plates they should be placed on their edges, never flat, on the bottom of the box in batches of three or four, with paper between each plate
- When the bottom of the box is covered, continue filling with heavy china, pyrex, mugs, bowls, vases etc.
- On top of this, place glass and china. Pack glasses upright
- Fill the boxes to capacity using soft items such as pillows, cushions, towels, cuddly toys, etc to take up any space on top. It is also a good idea to place soft items between each layer of china
Large Boxes
- Keep back sufficient large boxes for packing of bedding in current use
- Lighter items such as clothing, light linen, shoes, bedding, toys, board games, light pots and pans
- Mark boxes accordingly ie. BED 1, BEDDING, this will ensure they are easily identified for making up beds at your new home
Hanging Clothes and Furniture
Transit rails will be on our vehicle for your use on moving day. If you are storing hanging garments we are able to supply cardboard wardrobes at an additional cost. It is generally not necessary to unpack chests of drawers, ottomans or similar furniture.
After Using the Boxes
When opening the boxes and making them flat, cut through the tape using a knife or scissors. Please do not rip the tape off as this is messy and tends to ruin the box. We will collect the empty flat boxes as soon as possible after you notify us. We are unable to take other used materials or rubbish.
Last but not least, tea and coffee making equipment should be packed last in one box and marked Urgent – Open First! A nice cuppa can make all the difference!