If you are wishing to partially or completely pack yourselves here’s our advice based on the experience and training of our removal teams. You can also watch our “How to pack” videos on our YouTube channel. As a general rule if an item can fit into a standard removal box you should pack it. Try not to leave things loose it makes things harder to carry and more likely to get broken. Source quality packing supplies don’t be tempted to buy cheap products..
What boxes should you use?
Source and obtain strong ‘double walled’ boxes and always use good quality tape to fasten the bottoms and tops. Don’t cut corners by using cheap, or inferior packing supplies. If in doubt contact us or visit clarksremovalboxes.co.uk where you can buy our quality supplies.
How to pack your boxes
Pack all your boxes to their tops filling in spaces with material such as shredded or crumpled paper, larger spaces can be filled with pillows or cushions. This prevents the contents from moving and gives the box rigidity. Unfilled boxes can be crushed and overfilled bulging boxes can tear and fall apart.
Don’t overload your boxes
Don’t overload your packing boxes with too many heavy items. You can always fill spaces with lighter objects. Packed boxes should on average weigh no more than 30lbs/15kgs each and generally the heavier the objects the smaller the box.
Be organised
Label each box as you go with the room name or list of contents and remember to clearly mark ‘fragile’ if the items are delicate. Sequence your packing so that the possessions you least use are packed first. Do one room at a time, remembering last in first out – pack the most used items to the top of your boxes.
China, crystal, glass etc.
Start each box with a layer of cushioning, screwed up packing paper or tea towels are ideal. Wrap plates and dishes individually, placing them vertically into the box. Wrapped bowls and cups can be nestled inside each other. Pack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top, placing cushioning material between each layer of china. Finish each box with more paper so it’s full to the top
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Mirrors and framed pictures
For protecting large mirrors, paintings and other artwork wrap them in cardboard or paper blankets. We use our flat removal boxes and by sealing the bottom with tape we can create an envelope/sleeve in which we place extra packing paper and slide the picture or mirror in.
Books
Collectively books are heavy so use small ‘double walled’ boxes filling them to the top. Always fill the gaps up inside with crushed paper as they can cause boxes to crush when stacked on top of each other.
Clothing
Loose clothing and bedding can be put into bin liners and standard sized removal boxes work well for your folded jumpers and trousers. For your hanging clothes you can use specific wardrobe boxes, that way you can just lift your items straight from the wardrobe on their hangers into the box keeping them clean and crumple free.
Beds
Strip them bare and pack all of the bedding into boxes marking them up clearly with whose bedding it is. Try to make these the first boxes you unpack so that beds can be made up as soon as possible. We wrap the mattresses in plastic covers keeping them clean and dry.
Self-assembly furniture
These are generally not designed to be moved around assembled. So they need to be dismantled before moving day. Also, any other furniture that is too big to negotiate doorways will need dismantling. We can provide you with dismantling and reassembling services.
Freezers and refrigerators
Fridges need to be emptied, but freezers can remain full unless moving to store or long distances in which case they must be fully defrosted and dry before removal. Remember to secure all the drawers and loose parts inside.
Cookers
The advice on these is simple, make sure they are disconnected by a qualified person.
Garage / Garden
Make sure your tools are clean and any sharp edges are wrapped and taped together if you are packing them loose. Your power tools should be packed with plenty of padding and to further protect your possessions from oil and grease cover the pedals and chains of any bicycles and greased tools.
And if you decide you don’t want to pack yourselves we would recommend our own professional removal teams who use these packing supplies they’d be happy to help, call us 01494 774186 or get a quote online on our website.
