Resources

Packing Guide

Packing is the most time-consuming part of any move. This room-by-room guide will help you pack efficiently, protect your belongings, and make unpacking at your new home a breeze.

Packing Supplies You'll Need

Supply	Best Used For
Small boxes (1.5 cu ft)	Books, tools, canned goods, heavy items
Medium boxes (3 cu ft)	Kitchen items, toys, small appliances
Large boxes (4.5 cu ft)	Pillows, linens, lampshades, light items
Wardrobe boxes	Hanging clothes — keeps them wrinkle-free
Dish pack boxes	Dishes, glassware, fragile kitchenware
Packing tape + dispenser	Sealing and reinforcing box bottoms
Bubble wrap	Wrapping fragile items individually
Packing paper (unprinted)	Cushioning and wrapping — won't leave ink marks
Stretch wrap / plastic wrap	Bundling drawers, protecting furniture surfaces
Permanent markers	Labeling boxes clearly on all sides
Color-coded labels or tape	Color-coding boxes by room for fast unloading
Zip-lock bags (assorted)	Hardware, screws, small parts from disassembled furniture

Room-by-Room Packing Guide

Kitchen

Difficulty: High⏱ 4–6 hours

Pack dishes vertically (like records) with a layer of packing paper between each one — they're far less likely to break.
Wrap glasses individually in packing paper and pack them upright, never on their sides.
Use dish pack boxes with cell dividers for stemware and wine glasses.
Wrap pots and pans in packing paper and nest smaller ones inside larger ones.
Pack small appliances in their original boxes if you still have them, or wrap tightly in bubble wrap.
Empty, clean, and defrost the refrigerator at least 24 hours before moving day.
Pack spices and pantry items in small boxes — they're heavier than they look.
Seal liquid containers (oils, sauces) in zip-lock bags before packing to prevent leaks.

Living Room

Difficulty: Medium⏱ 2–4 hours

Disassemble large furniture (sectionals, entertainment centers) and keep all hardware in labeled zip-lock bags.
Wrap TV screens in moving blankets or the original box — never lay a flat screen face-down.
Pack books in small boxes and alternate the spine direction to distribute weight evenly.
Wrap picture frames and mirrors in bubble wrap and mark boxes 'FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP'.
Use stretch wrap to bundle remote controls and cords together and label each cord.
Photograph the back of your entertainment center before unplugging everything so you know where each cable goes.

Bedrooms

Difficulty: Low–Medium⏱ 1–3 hours per room

Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes — they go in and come out wrinkle-free.
Pack folded clothes directly in dresser drawers and wrap the whole dresser in stretch wrap to keep drawers closed.
Roll clothing instead of folding to save space and reduce wrinkles.
Pack bedding and pillows in large boxes or vacuum storage bags to compress them.
Disassemble bed frames and store all hardware in a labeled zip-lock bag taped to the headboard.
Pack jewelry and valuables in a small personal bag that travels with you, not on the truck.

Bathrooms

Difficulty: Low⏱ 30–60 minutes

Seal all liquid bottles (shampoo, lotion, cleaning supplies) in zip-lock bags to prevent leaks.
Pack toiletries you use daily in your essentials bag — you'll need them immediately after the move.
Dispose of expired medications and products before packing.
Wrap mirrors and glass shelves in bubble wrap and mark 'FRAGILE'.
Use a small box for each bathroom to keep items organized by room.

Garage & Storage

Difficulty: High⏱ 3–6 hours

Drain all fuel from lawn mowers, generators, and power tools before moving — most movers cannot transport flammable liquids.
Wrap sharp tools (saws, chisels) in thick cardboard or bubble wrap and clearly label the box.
Use original packaging for power tools when available.
Pack hardware (nails, screws, bolts) in clearly labeled zip-lock bags or small containers.
Discard old paint cans, chemicals, and hazardous materials — check your local disposal guidelines.
Use small, sturdy boxes for heavy garage items and reinforce the bottoms with extra tape.

Home Office

Difficulty: Medium⏱ 1–3 hours

Back up all computer files to an external drive or cloud storage before packing.
Photograph the back of your desktop computer and monitor setup before disconnecting cables.
Pack computers and monitors in their original boxes or wrap tightly in bubble wrap with extra padding.
Keep important documents (passports, birth certificates, financial records) with you — not on the truck.
Label all cables and pack them in zip-lock bags. Use cable ties to keep them organized.
Pack books and binders in small boxes to keep weight manageable.

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Box Truck Boys offers full-service packing using premium materials and proven techniques. Let us handle it — you focus on the exciting part of moving in.

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