Boxes and Supplies

Good supplies make the rest of the move easier. Proper packaging of your goods is key to minimizing damage and to loading a vehicle safely. Buy what you need early, so packing isn't held up waiting on a delivery.

What to buy

• Sturdy corrugated cartons in several sizes. Small boxes for dense items like books, medium for general household goods, large only for light, bulky items.
• Specialty cartons: dish-pack boxes for dishes and glassware, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, and mattress bags.
• Clean packing paper (blank, unprinted paper avoids newsprint smudges) and, for fragile items, bubble wrap or foam.
• Quality packing tape and a dispenser. Don't tape directly onto finished surfaces.
• Moving blankets or furniture pads for furniture and appliances. Stretch wrap is useful for holding a blanket in place, but it isn't a substitute for padding and shouldn't go directly on a finish.
• Permanent markers and labels (see labeling boxes).
• Rated tie-down straps for securing the load itself. Rope and bungee cords aren't a substitute (see truck loading basics).
• Gloves, a dolly, and an appliance dolly if you're loading heavy items.

Judging a box

A box should be dry, intact, and stiff, with no crushed corners, torn flaps, or soft sides. Match the size to the contents: heavy items go in small boxes so no carton becomes too heavy to lift safely, and every box should be filled so the top doesn't sag when something is stacked on it. Use wadded paper to fill gaps, but don't overpack a box until it bulges.