Packing Tips

If you decide to pack your own belongings, we recommend that you start packing as soon as you can. Doing your own packing can save you money, but it is not worth cutting corners when it comes to packing materials, which we can provide.

• Allow plenty of space. As the contents of cupboards and wardrobes are packed floor space soon fills up. It’s best to designate one room as the carton storage area, clear the furniture to the sides and then stack the packed items as high as you can manage, Also allow yourself plenty of working space to pack in.
• Don’t over pack. The most that can comfortably be lifted is 20 kilos (think of a suitcase fully packed). Books and CD’s are heavy so use smaller boxes. Clothes and wrapped crockery are lighter so use larger ones.
• Use professional materials. Bin bags split easily and supermarket wine cartons take ages to find and are usually too small to hold much. Lightweight boxes buckle and tear. Far better to buy the right packing materials. Eco Van and Man supplies only the best materials, recycled and recyclable and competitively priced, delivered to your door next day from placing your online order.
• You will need a variety of cartons, smaller for heavier items so they are easier to lift, wardrobe cartons to move your clothes on their hangers and keep their shape. Make sure that your cartons are double-walled and that the packing tape is strong. DO NOT use damaged, worn or thin cartons.
• You will need protective wrapping for your delicate belongings, bubble wrap is the ideal way to protect your electrical items such as TV and Stereo, or particularly delicate items such as crystal. Use white paper for your crockery, acid free tissue for silver and collectors’ books, corrugated card or fibre blankets for your chair and table legs.
• Put together your own ‘Packing Kit’ with a marker pen, packing tape, labels and scissors. Carry it with you as you go packing around your home.
• When packing a carton, use your marker pen to label for the required room at the delivery address note the contents on the side.
• Stack plates and other crockery upright on their sides, making sure you wrap them individually in white paper.
• Wrap pictures and mirrors individually in bubble wrap, mark as fragile and stack on end.
• Empty and drain freezers, washing machines and refrigerators prior to the move or for storage. If you need to store these items, leave the door wedged open.
• Do not pack paper, bedding, or clothes in plastic bags as these trap moisture and can cause mould, use cartons instead.
• Dust down and clean all outside tools and equipment before packing or wrapping.
• Have an 'Essentials Box' and fill with items such as: kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, milk sugar, toilet rolls, snacks and soft drinks. This box should be packed last.

If you need more advice on packing or packing materials, please ask one of our helpful members of staff.