If you’re preparing to move to, from, or within Colorado, you need to be prepared to pack your items correctly. This can be the difference between your belongings being damaged and your items making it to your new home without a scratch.
It doesn’t take much for your items to be damaged, which is a scary thing. The plus side is that this is easily avoidable. All you have to do is commit time to research what the correct way to pack each of your items is. Correctly packing your items means you won’t face any issues and you can rest assured that when you unpack your belongings they will be in the same condition that you packed them in.
As experts in the moving industry, with more than 25 years of experience under our belts, we understand the “ins and outs” of packing. We put that knowledge into this blog with all of the packing tips that you need to keep your belongings safe during your Colorado Move.
Everything You Need to Know About Moving Boxes
Moving boxes seem like very simple things. While they may appear that way, the truth is that they are a key part of the move and selecting the right one takes research. Taking your time to make sure you have the right boxes can prevent damage to your items.
Here is a list of some of the more common moving box options out there:
Sizes of Standard Moving Boxes
- Small Boxes, 16” x 12” x 12”
- Medium Boxes, 18” x 16” x 18”
- Large Boxes, 18” x 18” 24”
- Extra Large Boxes, 24” x 20” x 24”
Types of Specialty Moving Boxes
- Dish Pack
- Made-to-Order Crates and Moving Boxes
- Mirror Carton
- TV Boxes
- Wardrobe Carton
A very common misconception that you want to avoid is that larger boxes can hold more weight. This isn’t true. When a box gets big, its surface area has less structure. Stick to packing large but light items in these moving boxes.
Tips on Packing China for Moving
It is understandably stressful to pack glassware and china, given how fragile and valuable they are. However, that stress will go away as long as you pack them correctly. Your china will stay secure if you use the packing tips from the experts.
Glassware fits perfectly in dish packs. The trick is to put large, flat dishes on the bottom of these specialty boxes. Of course, put cushioning on both sides of these larger items and make sure that they are individually wrapped. This will create a base that you can work on top of.
On top of these, pack the rest of your dishware. Here is how to pack each type of glassware:
- Plates should be wrapped in bundles of four, while each plate is wrapped individually. Be sure to also wrap them as a whole bundle.
- Bowls are packed the same way but in groups of two to three instead of four.
- Wrap drinkware such as mugs and glasses individually.
- Wine glasses are unique due to their delicate stem. Wrap this area with folded paper. After this, wrap up the entire glass.
There are certain pieces of china that are very delicate. For these, we suggest wrapping them in clean paper, individually, and pad them generously with paper. You can wrap this all up in newspaper and place it in either a dish pack with other china or in its own separate box. This depends on the shape and size of the piece of the china.
Tips on Packing a Painting
Paintings can come in many different forms. Due to this, there are many different ways to pack paintings properly.
For example, paintings may be framed or not framed. On top of that, does your framed painting have a glass panel? The medium can have an effect too, such as if it is an oil painting or not.
For almost all paintings, a mirror carton will be your best bet. When deciding on the size, your aim should be for a box that is roughly 3-4 inches bigger on each side of the painting. This will allow you to have enough room for proper padding.
For framed paintings, that you want to save the frame of, your aim is to protect the corners. We recommend cardboard corner protectors. Make sure that you put these protectors on after you wrap your painting. Not before.
When packing framed pieces with glass covers, you will want to make sure that you secure the glass. While the glass will protect the painting, you don’t want the glass to go everywhere in the case of potential damage. For protection, make an “X” shape using packing tape right across the entire glass cover.
For any painting that doesn’t have a glass cover, wrap up the entire painting completely before packing in order to prevent friction prints.
If your oil painting doesn’t have a glass cover, keep in mind that oil and paper do not mix. While newspaper is a common material in packing for wrapping and padding, make sure that you don’t let your oil painting get exposed to this paper.
For all other paintings, we recommend putting wadded newspaper in your mirror carton before you put in your painting. Be sure to pad the entire thing in bubble wrap.
Tips on Packing Clothes for a Move
Whether you or your spouse have a big wardrobe, this is always an intimidating group of items to pack due to the size of how many clothes you own.
To make the process simple, follow these tips on packing clothes for a move:
- Put clothes aside for moving week so you don’t have to undo your hard work.
- Sell, donate, and throw away any clothes you don’t wear.
- Wardrobe boxes are the perfect option for simple and secure clothing packing.
- If possible, leave your clothes in the dresser and wrap them up to use as moving boxes.
- As tempting as it is to just get a big cardboard box and throw as many clothes in as possible, keep the weight in mind.
Don’t hesitate as you approach this area of your home during packing. It gets easier the more you chip away at it so be sure not to save it for last.
What to Look For When Hiring Professional Packers
What you may have noticed is that the packing process is incredibly difficult. There is a ton that goes into it. Due to this, and depending on how your schedule and budget look, it may be best to hire professional packers.
When you start looking for professional packers, be sure to consider whether or not you can trust them. To see if that’s the case, look for certification, years of experience, and any awards they may have won. This will give you a good sense of who they are as a company.
Good luck with your packing and moving process! Remember that, as difficult as it may seem, an exciting new home is waiting for you on the other end.