Packing tips 

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Timing is everything. Start packing early using the right tools and techniques

Timing

8 weeks before your move, begin packing...

• Off-season items: coats, clothes, sports equipment and holiday decorations.
• Decorations: pictures, paintings, vases, candles, decorative objects, statues, etc.
• Bed and bath: extra linen, blankets, pillows, throws, towels and toiletries.

4 weeks before, pack...

• Office: books, magazines, software and other infrequently used office equipment.
• Entertainment: CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, board games, video games and toys. Keep some to carry you over until the move.
• Kitchen: cookbooks, extra tableware and specialty items such as a fondue or sushi set, crock pot, indoor grill, bread maker, deep fryer, mixer, juicer and china.
• Tools, materials and small equipment: Stored in the garage, attic, shed and closets.

1 week before, finish packing...

• The rest: clothes, kitchen, office, and bed and bath accessories. Reserve just the bare essentials for the remainder of the week.
• Furniture: Protect and wrap furniture legs, edges, handles and drawers.

1 day before:

• Office and equipment: Pack computer and accessories, home entertainment system, telephone and peripherals
• Medication: Pack all medication in one suitcase or bag, and carry it with you during the move.
• Personal items: Pack an overnight bag with a change of clothes and toiletries in the event of unexpected delays during your move.

Essential tools

Packing materials

• Cardboard boxes: ideal for storing light and medium weight items, such as bedroom, bathroom and kitchen accessories, decorative items and clothes.
• Plastic and wooden crates: appropriate for packing heavier items, such as dishes, books, office equipment, entertainment system components, and tools.

Wrapping materials

• Newspaper and recycled rags: the most eco-friendly way to wrap fragile items such as glasses, dishes, candles and other decorative items.
• Bubble and plastic wrap: effective materials for protecting furniture and equipment, and for securing multiple items together.

Miscellaneous tools

• Tape gun: critical for securing the bottom of boxes and closing off contents. Budget one tape gun per person packing to speed up the process, and buy plenty of extra tape!
• Labels and water-resistant markers: essential for labelling the contents boxes.
• Razor knife: handy to slice open wrapped boxes quickly and accurately.
• Toolbox: a must-have for disassembling and assembling furniture parts and doors during your move.

Packing techniques

Wrapping items

• Protecting fragile items: Wrap fragile items, such as glasses and dishes, individually. Dish Pak and Glass Pack cartons are specially suited for packing fragile items.
• Padding boxes: Use towels, sheets or clothing to pad boxes.

Packing boxes

• Grouping contents: Combine items in a room in the same box to speed up the packing and unpacking process.
• Balancing weight: Put heavier items in multiple smaller boxes rather than in one large box to prevent the box from becoming too heavy and breaking.
• Packing fragile items: Place smaller boxes filled with fragile items inside larger boxes whenever space permits.
• Dismantling equipment: Disconnect hardware for furniture and lamps, and place them into a plastic bag. Tape the bag directly to the item so that it doesn?t get lost.

Labelling contents

• Identifying boxes with fragile contents: Mark appropriate boxes "fragile". You can purchase brightly coloured, ready-made stickers to make these boxes stand out from a distance.
• Specifying rooms: Clearly label each box with its corresponding room name so that you can be quickly identify and move them to the right location in your new home.
• Labelling box contents: In smaller letters, mark each box with examples of its contents to help you prioritize which boxes to unpack first.

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