The best kit is simple: strong double-walled boxes of similar sizes, plain packing paper and bubble wrap for anything fragile, good tape, and blankets or covers for furniture. The one thing to leave out is plastic bags, because for anything staying in storage they can trap moisture and lead to mould.
Boxes
Double-walled boxes are the backbone of a good pack. They’re strong enough to carry the boxes above them, and boxes of similar sizes stack squarely, so you can use the height of your unit safely. Put heavy things like books in medium boxes so they stay easy to lift, and light, bulky things like bedding and cushions in large ones. Clothes on hangers travel and store best in a wardrobe box.
Fill every box to the top, so it doesn’t sink under the one above, but don’t overload it: heavy boxes can collapse or be hard to lift. Our guide to packing boxes so they stack safely has more.
Wrapping fragile things
- Packing paper for glasses, plates and ornaments, and to fill gaps so nothing moves. Plain white paper has no ink to rub off, unlike newspaper.
- Bubble wrap for delicate pieces such as glasses, mugs, ornaments and small electronics.
- Foam corner protectors for the edges of mirrors, pictures, tables and televisions.
- Towels and soft linen, which work well too, and you’re packing them anyway.
Furniture and bulky things
Furniture doesn’t need a box, just a cover. A thick transit blanket cushions sofas, tables and appliances against knocks. Polythene sofa covers, chair covers, dust covers and mattress bags keep off dust and scuffs on the move. Once everything is in your unit, leave the open end of a bag or cover loose, so air can move around the piece.
What to avoid
- Plastic bags and bin bags for clothes and bedding: they can trap moisture.
- Boxes that once held food, which can carry crumbs and smells.
- Anything damp. Make sure everything is completely dry before it’s packed.
Tape and labels
Use strong parcel tape along every seam, not just the top flaps, with extra on the bottom of heavy boxes. Label each box on more than one side with what’s inside and which room it came from, so you can read it from wherever it ends up in the stack.
Getting your packing materials
Our Box Shop sells all of the above, from double-walled boxes and white packing paper to transit blankets and moving kits, delivered to your door. Our Burton, Bath, Chipping Norton and Dorking sites also sell packaging in store during office hours.
If you’re still choosing a unit, get a price online or call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll help you plan the space.
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