Useful Packaging tips when Moving Home

Based on our experience as a top-rated Bristol removals company, we’ve created a comprehensive list of packing tips for general household goods to help make your move easier and safer.

By following a few simple steps, your belongings will stay protected during your house move.

Materials you may need before you start packing

• Strong boxes in various sizes – from small boxes to wardrobe boxes
• Bubble wrap and padding materials – for wrapping fragile items
• Wrapping paper or newspapers – for wrapping glassware
• Shrink wrap – to keep dismantled furniture together, provide extra protection, and prevent doors or drawers from opening during transit
• Strong brown tape – for sealing boxes
• Marker pens – for labelling boxes
• Strong sacks – ideal for bedding, pillows, shoes, and clothing

General guide for packing with cardboard boxes

• Always use strong double-wall boxes
• Reinforce the bottom of each box with extra tape to prevent it from opening when lifted
• Avoid underfilling or overfilling boxes. Ideally, boxes should be packed evenly for easy stacking inside the removal truck
• Fill empty gaps with paper, plastic, or soft items such as pillows to prevent movement and damage during transit
• Use smaller boxes for heavy items such as books or fragile kitchenware
• The maximum recommended weight for one box is 12–14kg – avoid making boxes too heavy to carry safely
• Label all boxes clearly at the TOP to help both the removal team and yourself during unloading and unpacking

Packing kitchen and fragile items

• Use smaller boxes for fragile items to reduce pressure and minimise the risk of breakage
• China, crystal, and ceramic kitchenware should always be wrapped individually using bubble wrap or packing paper
• Wrap plates, cups, and other fragile items carefully to prevent chips and cracks
• Glasses should be individually wrapped and packed upright, as they are much stronger standing up than laid on their side
• Place bubble wrap at the bottom of the box, between each layer of glassware, and on top before sealing the box
• Pack heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top
• Clearly mark boxes containing delicate items as “Fragile”
• Larger boxes can be used for non-fragile cookware such as pans, bowls, and pots. To avoid scratches during transit, separate items with packing paper.

Packing liquids

• Ensure lids and caps are tightly sealed and unlikely to leak
• Pack liquids in individual plastic bags and keep them upright
• Consider using plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes in case of leakage

Packing books

• Use multiple small boxes, as books can become very heavy
• Pack books tightly and horizontally

Packing electrical items and living room contents

• Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap before placing them in boxes
• Smaller pictures can be bubble-wrapped and packed together in one box
• Glass-framed paintings, mirrors, and photos should be wrapped in blankets or bubble wrap
• Non-glazed framed artwork should be additionally protected with bubble wrap, cardboard, and shrink wrap to prevent damage during transit
• Special art transport boxes can also be used for valuable artwork
• Pay extra attention to corners when packing paintings and mirrors
• Flat-packed cardboard can provide additional corner and front protection
• Apply the same packing methods to flat-screen TVs and monitors if the original packaging is unavailable

Don’t have the time — or simply don’t want the stress of packing yourself?

Please contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.

We are a Bristol-based removals company providing professional home moving and packing services.