What Not to Pack When Moving – 5 Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid

As you plan for your relocation, you think about all the things you need to pack. Just as important as what you’re taking with you, knowing what not to pack when moving can be just as critical for a stress-free move. Here are some common packing mistakes to avoid.

What Should You Not Pack When Moving?

Specific items shouldn’t be packed when you’re getting ready to move. Some items can’t go across state lines, depending on where you live and where you’re moving. For instance, some houseplants can’t be taken to California regardless of how you pack them. It’s helpful to talk to an experienced moving company to find out what to leave behind and avoid common moving and packing mistakes.

You may find that it’s more convenient to toss the old items and buy new ones upon your arrival. For instance, you could sell a couch that’s seen better days at a garage sale or donate it to a local charity. If it’s torn, faded, or stained, you’ll probably just throw it away. Large items take up extra space, which adds to the cost of your move. If you’re not attached, you may find it cheaper to replace them. You can use a moving container cost calculator to estimate your costs based on the volume of items to transport.

Proper packing is an art and requires thoughtful planning. Unfortunately, most people dive right out without putting much thought into what they are doing. The result is broken or missing items, disorganization, and loads of time wasted looking for particular items. 

Take some time before you begin the packing process to figure out which items you will pack first, how you plan to pack them, and how you are going to keep track of everything that has been packed. Planning ahead will make your efforts much more effective, and you will be able to maintain organization throughout the move. Avoid the most common packing mistakes for a move.

1. Not Having the Right Supplies

Packing requires more than just tape and boxes. In order to pack properly, you are going to need packing paper, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, furniture pads, and glassware dividers. If you don’t have the proper supplies, you will risk damage to your belongings and also waste time making multiple trips to the packing supply store.

Plan ahead and make a list of all the supplies you will need. Think about how many fragile items you will be packing, and be sure to gather plenty of paper, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts. Also, decide if you want to use portable storage containers and units for your packing. 

2. Overpacking Fragile Items in One Box

You might be tempted to pack your boxes as heavy as you can so that there will be fewer of them. Don’t make this packing mistake, as it’s a recipe for disaster! Heavy boxes become a worse issue when you’re packing multiple fragile items. They often don’t weigh a lot, so it’s easy to keep adding more until each box is filled. This makes for a very heavy and delicate liability waiting to happen.

Weight isn’t your only concern with fragile belongings. Having too many delicate items in proximity to each other can cause them to move around and break. Instead, pack fewer items and wrap them securely with extra bubble wrap. You can also place towels in between the items for extra padding to keep them in place. As you pack your fragile stuff, mark the boxes as such, and don’t put other boxes on top. If the boxes break, the items can get damaged.

3. Failing to Secure Open Liquids and Perishables

While you can pack liquids and perishables for a move, you need to handle them differently. Place the liquids in a shatterproof and spillproof container. Pack them tightly to reduce the likelihood of them tipping over and spilling out. Only pack these items when you’re getting ready to move because the liquids and perishables can spoil or freeze and burst. Label these boxes as perishable and/or fragile so you can stow them properly and unpack them right away.

4. Skipping the Inventory List

It’s very easy to get so caught up in the packing process that you forget to mark the contents of each box. This will lead to frustration when you begin unpacking and cannot find specific items. You will end up wasting time sifting through box after box, trying to find the items you need. Furthermore, you won’t be able to sort your boxes into their corresponding rooms if you don’t know what is inside each box.

One of the most important moving tips to follow is to take a few extra minutes to mark each box as you pack. As mentioned, labeling the boxes makes it much easier to locate items when it comes time to unpack. You can also pack a detailed list inside the box, which is easy to grab when you open it.

5. Packing Hazardous Materials

Many moving companies won’t transport certain hazardous materials, such as chemicals or flammables, so don’t start packing them for movers without a little due diligence. Before making this packing mistake, research and speak with the moving company and find out their policy.

Avoid Common Moving and Packing Mistakes for a Stress-Free Relocation

If you avoid the most common moving and packing mistakes, you’ll find that your relocation is less stressful. Along with these moving tips, you can get more assistance from SMARTBOX. Consider how we can help you with portable storage units and containers. Contact us for a free quote and to learn more about our moving and storage services.