Pack Like a Pro with These Moving Materials
Packing is a notoriously difficult and time-consuming process. In fact, to many people, it’s the worst part of moving. However, it doesn’t have to be.
While you probably won’t be able to make packing fun, you can definitely make it quicker and easier. All it takes is a little forethought, some careful planning, and the right packing materials. There are also a few tricks to speeding up the process and making life easier for yourself at the other end.
Here we look at the different types of moving materials and exactly what you need to pack like a pro. We also share our tips for streamlining the process and taking some of the stress out of packing.
Understanding your options
If you’ve bought packing boxes before, you’ve probably seen that they come in a range of shapes and sizes. These different dimensions make different types of boxes that are better suited to different uses and holding different objects. The main types of packing boxes are:
- Tea Chests: These are one of the most widely used options and probably the most recognisable packing box size. They are ideal for storing bulky, but not overly heavy, items – like cookware, linen, cushions, and toys.
- Book Cartons: This is another widely used packing box and is a little smaller than a tea chest. In addition to books, these cartons are great for packing CDs, DVDs, paperwork, and bathroom and pantry items.
- Kitchen Cartons: These are marginally smaller than a tea chest and usually come with an inset to break up the space. They are perfect for packing your more delicate kitchenware – like your cups, plates, and bowls.
- Wine Cartons: These tend to be smaller, flatter packing boxes and usually come with an insert designed to hold bottles in place. As the name suggests, they help keep your wine collection safe and can generally hold 12 bottles.
- Picture Cartons: These are large, thinner boxes, usually with a fragile warning notification printed on them. Their unique shape helps them protect anything in a frame – be that artwork, photos, or a mirror.
- Porta Robes These are taller, wider boxes that usually come with an inbuilt rod across the inside. They are specially designed to make transporting your clothing quicker and easier and remove the need for folding.
In addition to removal boxes, there are a few other moving materials that can make packing easier. This includes:
- Vacuum sealed bags: These come in different sizes and can help reduce the space taken up by soft objects. They are great for efficiently storing bulky clothes (e.g. jackets, jumpers, coats, etc.) and bedding (e.g. doonas, blankets, pillows, etc.).
- Bed / Furniture covers: These also come in different sizes and are designed to keep your soft furnishings safe during a move. They are generally wrapped around an item and provide an extra layer of protection from stains, scratches, and rips.
- TV covers: These are similar to a furniture cover, but are usually made of a heavier material (e.g. foam). They slip over a TV and help protect it from cracks and other damage caused by knocks and pressure.
Where to find cheap moving boxes
Most good storage facilities sell moving materials and will have several offers for cheap moving boxes. For example, here at Ezi Storage, we have our “Buy 10, Get 1 Free” special offer. This means that, for every 10 packing boxes you buy from us, we’ll give you one free Kitchen Carton.
We also offer a buy back option on most of our packing boxes. This means you can confidently buy as many boxes as you think you’ll need for your move. Then, when you’re done packing, you can sell any boxes you don’t use back to us.
Moving packages are also a great way to get your moving boxes cheap. We offer a range of packages (e.g. our 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom options), which provide everything you need for your move. These are based on the standard requirements for moves of that size and take the guesswork out of buying your packing materials.
Our pro tips for packing boxes
Once you have the right materials, there are a few other simple things you can do to make packing easier. For example, you should:
- Label your boxes clearly: On the outside of each of your removal boxes write what’s in it and where it needs to go. This will make unpacking much quicker and should mean you can find things easily.
- Avoid overcrowding: It can be tempting to cram as much as possible into every box – empty space is wasted space, right? However, will make your removal boxes heavier and harder to move, and increases the risk of damage.
- Take your time: While you might want the experience to be over as quickly as possible, starting early should help minimise the stress. Giving yourself plenty of time also means you can be more strategic and pack with the end goal in mind.
- Allow for last minute packing: There are certain things you won’t want to pack until the morning of moving day (e.g. some toiletries, the kettle, etc.). As such, it’s best to have extra boxes available for this last-minute packing – and for anything you may have missed!
Want more information?
Whether you’re looking for cheap moving boxes, or need somewhere to store them when they’re full, Ezi Storage can help. We stock a wide range of packing boxes and can deliver all your moving materials straight to your door. Call us today to discuss your moving plans and get expert advice on the best materials for the job.