Packing tips when moving to Miami

For some people, packing is the hardest part when moving. They have difficulties in deciding how to pack, what to keep and what to throw away. This article will provide you with a number of packing tips when moving to Miami.

Picking the right box

The first thought many have when thinking of packing is of countless boxes in their driveway. That is often, sadly, true, but picking the right type of boxes for packing can save you time and energy.

Weeks before pack, go through the rooms of your home and make lists of all the things you will take to your new place. Pay attention to what kind of a box you might need. Will the regular cardboard box work? Are you scared it might tear or break during the transport?

Types of boxes

There is a number of different boxes you can use. Here’s a list of the most common ones you can buy:

• Small box
• Medium box
• Large box
• Dishpacks
• Mattress box
• Mirror box
• Wardrobe box

The small, medium and large boxes differ, obviously, in their size. An important thing to remember when packing is to place heavier items in smaller, and lighter in larger boxes. For example, pack books, shoes, canned goods and even smaller appliances in small boxes (typically 1.5 cubic feet in the United States). At the 4.5 cubic feet, large boxes can be used for packing pillows, blankets or clothing. Medium boxes are typically 3 cubic feet and known as the “all-purpose box”.

Sometimes you will have clothes that are easy to wrinkle, so wardrobe boxes are a better pick than the larger ones. These boxes stand upright and have a bar for hanging your clothes, but you can also use them for curtains and draperies. Dishpacks, mattress and mirror boxes are used in order not to damage your dishes, mattresses, and mirrors, respectively.

You can use dish packs, mattress, and mirror boxes in order not to damage your dishes, mattresses, and mirrors, respectively.

When packing boxes, an important thing to remember is not to make any box too heavy, since they have a limit on what they can support. Better separate your books in multiple smaller boxes than carry a heavy large one.

You can get all the information on various packing containers from a local hardware store.

Packing things by categories

Try to sort and pack your boxes by rooms – do not mix items from separate rooms in the same boxes. This helps save time and energy when unpacking.

When packing light and heavy items in the same box, pack lighter items on top while heavier on the bottom, so they don’t crush everything else you have in the box. Something similar is done when loading boxes into the truck. Put heavier boxes first, towards the front of the truck, for better balance. Think about saving the space – for example, flip couches on their sides (they transport quite well like that).

Make sure to label everything when packing. Write which room the box is going to, as well as the items inside the box. If there are items that should not be flipped upside down or to their side, write which side of the box goes up. 

If there’s furniture that you can take apart – do it. This makes the packing easier and also help when loading the truck.

Finally, don’t leave empty spaces in the box – fill the gaps with clothes, towels or packing paper to reduce to moving of items inside the box. 

Packing breakables and valuables

Packing breakable or valuable stuff is every person’s nightmare, but there are some helpful tips to remember when doing it.

Do not be afraid to use padding – as much as you think is necessary – and then some more! Boxes sometimes do jump around, so better safe than sorry. Also, always make sure to tape the boxes, even if they have flaps that can interlock. It’s much more secure with tape.

One of the best tips is to wrap each breakable item separately in the packing paper. If you don’t have packing paper, bubble wrap will work too.

Packing Dishes

Bundle your breakables. If you are, for example, packing plates, wrap each one in packing paper, then bundle them in groups on five or six and wrap the bundle with more paper. Always pack dishes on their side, and use plenty of padding both above and below them.

You can pack cups and bowls inside another, which saves space.

Packing Electronics

Check if you still have the boxes you bought your electronics in – it’s the easiest and safest way to transport them. Sometimes it’s good to use two boxes when packing TV – the box it came in and then placing that box in another one. Fill the bigger box with wrapping paper. It’s also a nice idea to take photos of your electronics setup, so it will be easier for you to figure the cords out in the new home.

Packing Decorative items

Pack your decorative items a few weeks earlier. You will not need them until you move – so it’s best to pack them as soon as possible. Also, use this time to figure out how to properly pack them – sometimes decor items can vary in shape and size, so it can be a challenge. Again – use padding!

Packing Valuables

Pack valuables, such as jewelry and documents in a safe box which you will take with you when moving. These items can easily be misplaced, so the safest bet would be to have them with you.

Throwing things away

Another important tip that many find hard is throwing things you will not need. 

When you go through your belongings, think whether you will ever use it again or not. This is a great time to decide which of your items you’re taking with you and a great opportunity to save space in your new home. Don’t be afraid to be ruthless.

If there’s a clothing you think is pretty but haven’t worn – donate it. You probably won’t wear it again.

Try not to be too sentimental about things – if an appliance isn’t working properly, maybe throwing it away and buying a new one would be a smart investment.

Hopefully, these packing tips can help to make your moving adventure as painless as it can be, and your unpacking even easier. Good luck!