Packing Tips

Getting ready for your Fort Lauderdale area move? You may be worried about the damage that could happen to your belongings if they aren’t packaged correctly.

It can be nerve-wracking to consider how your items can be destroyed by just not packing them the right way. On the bright side, it’s easily avoidable. As long as you pack your belongings correctly then you can go your entire move with no issues and get to your new home with your items in the same condition you packed them in.

We want to ensure that your move goes smoothly. That’s why we put together this in-depth resource on how to pack for a move, full of all of the packing tips you need to keep your items secure. Pack simply and effectively with these packing tips:

What to Know About Moving Boxes

It can be tempting to brush moving boxes off as simple. The truth is that you have to do your research or risk an issue coming up.

Moving boxes are more complicated than most people tend to think. With a range of options it can be tough to understand which is best for your items.

Here are some of the most common box sizes and types out there:

Standard Moving Box Sizes

Small Moving Boxes, 16” x 12” x 12”
Medium Moving Boxes, 18” x 16” x 18”
Large Moving Boxes, 18” x 18” 24”
Extra Large Moving Boxes, 24” x 20” x 24”

Specialty Moving Box Types

Dish Pack
Mirror Carton
TV Moving Boxes
Wardrobe Carton
Made-to-Order Crates and Moving Boxes

There is a common misconception that the larger the box, the more weight this can hold. It’s understandable why one would think this. The reality is that the opposite is true. When a box gets bigger, there is more surface area leading to less structure. That means you have to pack less weight in bigger boxes.

How to Pack China for Moving

It can be stressful to pack items as fragile as glassware and china. As long as you pack these items correctly, you will not have to worry about your move. Packing the right way means your glassware stays secure.

Dish packs are perfect for these types of items. You can place large, flat dishes at the bottom of the boxes. Put cushioning below and above these items and wrap them individually. They will make a great base without taking up too much room.

Following this, you can pack up your more standard items:

Wrap up your plates in bundles of 4. Plates should be both wrapped individually and also wrapped as a whole.
The same applies to bowls, except they should be in bundles of 2-3. Once again, wrap them individually and as a whole for maximum security.
Glasses, mugs, and other similar drinkware should be wrapped individually.
Pack wine glasses with the delicate stem in mind. Wrap this area generously with folded paper and then wrap the entire glass.

For your most delicate pieces of china, wrap each individual piece with clean paper and proceed to pad generously with paper. Wrap it all up with newspaper and place it either into the dish pack or it’s own separate box, depending on the shape and size of the piece.

How to Pack a Painting

There are many variations on how to pack different paintings properly. This stems from the fact that there are a lot of different variations that paintings can have. Some common differences that you’ll come across are whether or not the painting is framed. If it is framed, is there a glass panel? If there isn’t a frame, is it an oil painting?

No matter these differences, aim to use a mirror carton to store your artwork since these tend to be roughly the same shape. When considering size, find a box that is about 3-4 inches bigger than each side of the painting. This way you will have enough room for padding.

If you’re dealing with a framed painting, consider whether or not this is a frame you want to save. If it is, look to protect the corners. There are cardboard corner protectors that you can purchase that are perfect for this. Be sure to put them on after wrapping your painting, not before.

Some framed pieces have glass covers. Glass may protect the painting, but you have to secure the glass to protect your painting in the case of damage. This can be done by making an “X” shape out of packing tape on the glass. This catches the glass and keeps it in place in the case of the glass breaking.

For paintings without glass covers, simply wrap the painting completely before packing. This will prevent friction prints.

There is one rule to remember when packing an oil painting that doesn’t have a glass cover: paper and oil don’t mix. It is common to have things like newspapers floating around during the packing process, but be sure to only use other materials when packing an exposed oil painting.

Put wadded newspaper at the bottom of the mirror carton before putting your painting in. Once it is in, pad the entire thing with bubble wrap, generously.

How to Pack Clothes for a Move

It seems like no matter how much one donates, sells, or tosses old clothes, there is always a lot to pack. It can be intimidating, but if you understand the process, it is simple.

To make packing clothes simple: here are our top tips:

Before anything, put aside clothes for the moving week.
Look towards wardrobe boxes to help keep your clothes in perfect condition.
Leave your clothes in dresser drawers when possible. These can be wrapped up and used as boxes. If you are using a moving company that handles heavy furniture, you may be able to leave the drawers right in the dresser.
It can be tempting to just get a big box and throw all of your clothes in it, but remember that bigger boxes hold less weight, so you may end up with all of your clothes coming right out of the bottom if you put too much in.

It can be intimidating looking at all those clothes, but once you get started it just gets easier.

How Cousins USA can Help with Your Packing

It’s obvious from looking through this resource that packing is complicated. It may be best to trust professionals to handle your packing depending on your move, what items you have, and how busy you are.

Luckily, Cousins USA offers expert packing services, built on an expertly-trained, background-checked crew. Our services are completely tailorable to fit your move. That means that, whether you need everything packed or just a few items, Cousins USA is the perfect fit for your Fort Lauderdale move.

To learn more, give us a call at (954) 792-6650. To get your free estimate, fill out our online form today.