If you are moving a short distance, it can be tempting to toss your less box-friendly items into the back of a friend's car rather than trying to fit them into a box, but this usually isn't an option for a long distance move. There are a few techniques for wrestling those items into containers for safe shipping, and anyone can master them.
Dishes
Dishes might be one of the most difficult items to pack well, and everyone has them. All those odd shapes and sizes, combined with how fragile most dishes are, and it is a wonder any of them make the trip sometimes. Since you can't get away from packing up your dishes every time you move, it is best to learn to do it properly.
- The key to packing dishes is newspaper. Go pick up one or two copies of the Sunday edition, or ask friends and neighbors to save up for you.
- Wrap each piece in a couple layers of paper. Tape isn't required, but a bit of masking tape can help you stay organized.
- Use extra paper to fill cups and to wrap around handles. Giving extra support to these areas will help prevent breakage.
- Chunk up the rest of the paper, bunch it up, and use it to fill in all the cracks, the sides of the box, and between layers.
Furniture
You probably didn't care much if your first couch got a few dings in it when you were hauling it around back in the day. Those scratches and dings just added to the "character" of the piece. However, once you've invested in furniture you would like to keep nice for the foreseeable future, how you pack it will become very important. A couple of newspapers just won't cut it. For this task, some extra cardboard and some bubble wrap is the way to go.
Start by taking the furniture apart as much as possible. Many tables and disks have legs that can be removed with a few screws. It will be much easier to pack and protect individual pieces than attempting to brace the legs in place. Use cardboard to create a guard on corners and large surfaces. Finally, a layer of bubble wrap will give any contact points some extra protection in the back of the truck.
Golf Clubs, Bikes, and Other Hobby Equipment
Fortunately, a lot of hobby equipment can withstand a beating. For these items. a blanket or two is enough to make sure nothing goes awry before you tuck your beloved clubs into a neat little corner between the boxes. The same goes for larger variations such as bikes. This same technique can be applied to many medium-sized household items. Mowers can be drained of gas and wrapped in an old blanket or tarp; patio furniture can be broken down and pushed into a corner.
For less durable items, you might consider investing in specialized boxes or in making your own. It can be tough to find the right size boxes at your local store, but your moving company should be able to order supplies for you that will fit your items just perfectly. If you don't want to spend the money, get your hands on a few sheets of cardboard and some foam or bubble wrap. Making a custom box for your skis will be much less expensive than purchasing a custom-made box, and it is not much more difficult than wrapping a present.
Of course, you can always talk to a moving company about packing and moving services. Most will be happy to oblige, and they will often be just fine with only packing the difficult-to-pack items. This will keep you bill low but ensure that your oddly-shaped items are packed in the best manner possible for their long and bumpy ride.
Share