Properly Packing Your Moving Boxes and Totes

Bob The Mover Niagara Moving Company

Packing can be a very difficult and time-consuming task. Sometimes it feels like you’ll never finish. At Bob the Mover the Niagara Moving Company we know how hard it can be.

The way people pack has changed over the years, but one thing has remained constant; people don’t give themselves enough time to pack! Not preparing enough in advance of your moving date can lead to a greatly increased amount of stress.
Planning, a good attitude and the right amount of preparation will reduce the stress of moving considerably. Maybe you’ll even have fun.
Below are a few tips to help you get started before you look for a moving company in Niagara Falls Ontario.

Plan and Start Early

There’s no rule that says you can’t start packing months before your move. We all love to procrastinate and leave things for the last minute, but you’ll save yourself a lot of time and headaches by starting early.

Start by packing your items that are season-dependent (e.g. Summer clothes). Next pack your basement, hobby rooms/offices, guest rooms, china, and any other items that are not frequently used.

Once the moving day gets closer, you can get more serious. Pack room by room to ensure everything is done properly. Be sure to double check every part of the rooms and make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Finish the living room, dining room, shed and basement. The kitchen can be left partially packed (You still need to eat). You can leave your commonly used clothes and other things unpacked until the last minute. Everything else should be packed at this point. Remember when packing the kitchen to pack cans, silverware and other heavy things in advance.

Five Packing Steps

1. Gather your packing materials

Gather everything you’re going to use like moving boxes, paper, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and tape. It’s better to get enough for the job the first time, you don’t want to make frequent stops to the hardware store. Don’t use boxes that are damaged or flimsy. Spend a little to ensure your belongings are protected and will arrive safely at your new house. Garbage bags and open-top boxes are going to result in damages to many items.

2. Decide What to Pack

Moving is the best time to throw away old items. Before starting, make a list of things you want to throw out, donate, or sell. Packing can be expensive, don’t waste boxes on things you don’t even need. Create a “no-pack zone” in your house to place all the undesirable items. This will help keep you organized when packing other parts of the house. If you are undecided on an item, put it in the “no-pack zone” until you’ve gotten further into your packing.

Don’t pack anything hazardous or perishable:

Propane tanks, Batteries, Gasoline or other flammable materials, Chemicals include bleach, Matches and lighters, Oils, paints and aerosol cans,Frozen food,Produce,Refrigerator contents (Eat it in advance).

A moving company in Niagara Falls will likely tell you they can’t take these items anyways.

3. Secure Your Items

Wrap anything fragile in newspaper or tissue paper. Put tiny items into small bags. Anything that can spill should be packed with tape and put into a plastic bag. Be sure to mark “this side up” so a moving company in Niagara Falls can avoid spills.
Long items like fishing rods or garden tools should be bundled together with tape. Rugs should be rolled and tied. Lamps and lampshades should be packed separately. Mattresses can be packed in mattress bags to prevent damage (a service Bob the Mover provides).
Dishes and glasses should go into specific boxes designed to protect them. Crushed paper should be in the bottom of the box, as well as between any layers and at the top of the box. Make sure you take your time packing these, they are the easiest things to break.

4. Balancing Heavy and Light

Put your heavy items at the bottom of a box. No box should ideally be more than 50 pounds. To properly pack, place heavy items in smaller boxes by themselves. Putting multiple heavy items in one box will create strain for yourself and any movers you hire. Before putting your items inside a box, make sure it has protection at the bottom. Then place heavy items on the protection, followed by lighter items on top. You don’t want heavy items to crush lighter ones. Pack your boxes to the top if possible. Empty space inside leaves room for the items to shake and potentially damage themselves. Leave only enough room for packing protection and make sure your box flaps can close properly.

5. Secure the Boxes

Finish by taping your boxes with packing tape– double tape if necessary. After this label the boxes according to which room you want them to go to in your new house. Take note of the number of boxes you have going to each room to help give you an idea of the amount of space you need. Following these steps will make a big difference for you and any moving company in Niagara Falls Ontario you choose to use.

Choose Bob the Mover

Bob the Mover is a moving company in Niagara Falls Ontario that also services all the Niagara Region and beyond. We’ve got a hardworking and honest crew ready to move you at any time. To get a free in-home quote please contact Bob the Mover.

We Are a CAM Certified Moving Company

Bob The Mover is a certified CAM Niagara Moving Company that offers services in the Niagara Region, including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Welland, and Port Colborne. We have successfully completed a rigorous certification process and have been recognized by the Canadian Association of Movers for our unwavering dedication to quality, professionalism, and ethical business practices.

As a certified CAM mover, we strictly adhere to a code of conduct and maintain exceptionally high standards for employee training, safety, and customer service. We also have the necessary insurance coverage and comply with all relevant laws and regulations governing the moving and storage industry in Canada.

When you choose Bob The Mover as your moving company, you can trust that you are partnering with a reputable and reliable team that has been acknowledged for our commitment to excellence. Our CAM certification is a testament to our dedication to providing our customers with the best possible moving experience in Niagara, and we take great pride in upholding the highest standards in the industry.

Don't hesitate. Make the call now.

This is the best moving experience we ever had. Bob's team was very friendly, moved our items in no time. We had several heavy furnitures, they knew exactly how to move them at ease. I highly recommend Bob and his team. I couldn't thank them enough for doing such a great job. Thank you guys!!

Bob the Mover was an excellent moving company to work with. They were courteous, prompt and there were no hidden fees or surprises. They worked expertly to efficiently pack my storage unit, ensuring that my belongings fit securely and safely, making the most of the space. They were respectful of my belongings and my home, and I will definitely be using them again when I need movers. Thank you so much for making a stressful move so easy!

It was the best experience I have had with movers. They were on time, friendly, very professional and efficient. They obviously care about what they do.

Incredible moving company. Definitely top shelf. You can't really ask for any better. These guys were super professional, very friendly, quick, arrived right on time and took care of all my stuff, no extra scratches 😉 We had some interesting conversations along the way about similar interests and had fun while still getting the job done in a quick and timely fashion. This guy hires good men, the screening process must be rigorous. If you want your stuff handled with care and consideration, call Bob the Movers! You won't regret it!

November 19th, 2022 - the day of my move from my home in Niagara Falls to my new home in Thorold, we found ourselves in a foot of snow with more on the way, high winds and extreme cold!! The four young men arrived on time and were ready for the hard work of loading and carefully taking my furniture onto their truck. (Using moving blankets and strapping, mindful of not damaging the flooring and walls and my furniture) Arrived at my new address in a timely manner and again taking care moving all furniture and setting up beds and other furniture requiring set up! One piece, a large leather couch required 2 men to carefully maneuver through a narrow doorway at the bottom of the stairs into the family room needing at least a half hour of time without damage to walls, ceiling, doorway, flooring or furniture! Remarkable young men. I’d highly recommend “Bob The Mover” for your next move!