Plan Your Move - Packing

General Packing Tips

Begin early! Packing for a move might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be.
Just approach the process with a well-thought-out plan.

Here are a few tips to make packing easier

Consider purchasing the following supplies:

  • Boxes
  • Packing tape
  • Bubble Wrap
  • Packing paper or unprinted newspapers
  • Packing blankets
  • Moving dolly
  • Garbage bags
  • Colored labels
  • Permanent markers
  • Scissors
  • Designate an unused room in your home as your "move room", where all boxes will go once they're packed
  • Pack your home one room at a time; begin packing boxes with items that you use the least
  • Designate a personal box for essentials that you will need immediately upon arriving at your new home
  • Pack all valuables, important documents, fragile electronics and other important belongings in your car

Packing Boxes

  • Use strong boxes reinforced with tape at the bottom
  • Purchase special boxes for your wardrobe, dishes and other delicate items
  • Place heavy items at the bottom of the box and lighter items on top
  • Fill boxes to capacity to prevent damage
  • Crumple packing paper into the sides of boxes and between items to cushion your belongings
  • Pack heavy items, such as books, records and canned food into small, reinforced boxes
  • Fill garbage bags with pillows, draperies, linens, towels and other light items; these bags can be used as cushioning between your belongings in your Old Dominion trailer
  • Label the sides of boxes so that they can be identified when they are stacked
  • Be specific when labeling boxes; label each box with its contents, its room, and if it should be loaded into the trailer first or last; consider using different colored stickers for each room in your house for easier identification
  • Be sure to write FRAGILE on the top of boxes containing delicate items

Packing Large Items

When packing large and specialty items, take a little extra time and properly pack your larger or more fragile items to avoid damage when you reach your destination; consider these tips:

  • Dismantle furniture and place screws and legs into small, labeled boxes or bags
  • Protect furniture by wrapping it with Bubble Wrap and blankets
  • Do not place tape on any painted or wood surfaces of your furniture
  • When moving a chest of drawers, leave clothing and towels in the drawers; to conserve space, consider filling empty drawers with pillows or other light items
  • Tape drawers shut, or secure drawers with bungee cords

Packing Specialty Items

  • Consider taking electronics with you, as they could be damaged in extreme temperatures
  • Pack all electronics in their original boxes, if possible
  • Put cords into separate labeled plastic bags to make reassembly easier
  • When packing china, wrap dishes in Bubble Wrap and pack into dish boxes
  • When packing paintings and mirrors, protect the backs with cardboard, wrap with Bubble Wrap and packing paper and secure with packing tape
  • Be sure to drain gas and oil from power equipment before transport
  • Bundle large garden tools together with tape