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You’ve spent the past few weeks getting everything ready for your upcoming move, yet you just can’t stop worrying about those first few days of unpacking. After all, having to hunt for the things you need can be pretty stressful. As you prepare for your move, use these packing tips to streamline your unpacking routine.

Explore Specialty Boxes

While you will use your fair share of traditional boxes, it is helpful to know that there are specialty boxes available to help you pack those challenging items. For instance, wardrobe boxes come with a bar that allows you to hang your clothing so that they arrive wrinkle-free and ready to go right into the closet.

You can also find special boxes with compartments for breakables such as glasses and plates, while mattress boxes protect your bed from getting smudged on the truck. Make sure to use the correct type of box so you can take some of the guesswork out of how to make sure any delicate items arrive intact.

Choose the Right Size

When you use regular boxes, make sure that you avoid using ones that are too large. While it might seem easier to just have a few large boxes, this method usually leads to packing too heavy of a load. Ideally, no box should weigh more than 50 pounds. Identify your heavy objects, such as stacks of books, and choose smaller boxes for these items.

Pack According to Weight

Once you have the right-sized box in hand, you need to know how to begin filling it up. Professional movers always recommend placing the heaviest items in the box first. Then, you can layer lighter objects on top. This technique helps to balance the load and prevent breakage.

Avoid Mixing Items

One of the biggest challenges that come with unpacking is when someone simply throws a bunch of odds and ends into a box. Save yourself from sorting through random trinkets to find your silverware by making sure that only items from a specific area go into a box. For instance, use one box for just your bedding.

Label Your Boxes Clearly

You don’t want to be hungry on moving day and staring at a wall full of boxes that just say “kitchen.” In addition to labeling each box with the room that it goes to, jot down a few notes about what the box contains. This way, you can see at a glance what opening the box will bring.

Pack a First-Night Box

There are some things that you cannot live without, and having everything for the first night in one place makes it easy to prepare a snack, brush your teeth and get ready for bed. A first-night box is especially important if kids are involved in the move. Once you pack your box, transport it with you so that it is more accessible.

Fill In Empty Spaces

Boxes with lots of empty space increase the risk of breakage because these spaces allow everything to move around. With fragile items, make sure to fill in empty spaces using towels, old shirts or packing paper. For your breakable servingware, use dish towels as cushioning since it will also make it easier to unpack.

An organized move is a stress-free move, and you can reduce the amount of time you spend unpacking by making sure you pack and label every box carefully. At Island Movers, we specialize in every aspect of moving, so contact us today with any questions you have about setting up a new home.