Packing up a house for a move is never fun, but you can make it easier on yourself if you have the right supplies. When it comes to boxes, you could run all over town checking out stores that might have a few box you can snag, but really, who has time for that when there is so much to do? Your moving company will have everything you need to do the job correctly, right down to the packing tape. It’s worth the investment to make one simple stop to your moving company’s office for everything you need. Some moving companies will even deliver the boxes right to your home.
Here are some general guidelines to help you determine what size boxes you need for each job:
Kitchen
For glassware, plates, and other fragile kitchen items, it’s recommended you use 1.5 cubic ft. boxes. The compact size will make it easier to tightly pack the items once you’ve carefully wrapped them in bubble wrap or newspaper.
For heavier kitchen items, such as small appliances, it will be necessary to go with either the 3 or 4.5 cubic ft. boxes. These sizes are also appropriate for your plastic ware and for pots and pans.
Clothing
For casual, everyday clothing, such as t-shirts, sweatpants, socks and underwear, you can simply use the 3.0 cubic ft. boxes, or even larger ones as long as they don’t get too heavy.
For items that you generally hang in your closet, you may want to invest in hanging wardrobe boxes. These specialty boxes make quick work of packing and unpacking your nicer clothes, since you don’t have to remove them from the hangers. Wardrobe boxes also eliminate most of the wrinkling that can occur during the move.
Blankets/Bedding/Etc.
For blankets, sheets, and other linens, it will be most efficient to go with the 6.0 cubic ft. box.
Other Items
It is generally recommended that you stick with smaller boxes, such as the 1.5 cubic ft. box, as much as possible. The general rule of thumb is that a box should never be loaded with more than 50 pounds of weight.
Be sure to check with your moving company to ensure you are not packing up any items that are prohibited by their policies, such as flammable or hazardous materials.
