Packing the right way saves time, reduces the risk of damage, and makes unpacking faster. Here are our best tips.
1Pack heavy things at the bottom
Put heavy things such as books at the bottom of the box and lighter things such as pillows on top.
A full box should be easy to lift – around 15–20 kilos is about right. Don't fill a whole box with books only – heavy things at the bottom, lighter ones such as bedding and cushions on top. Always fill the box to the top, otherwise it gets crushed when boxes are stacked.
2Wrap china and glass separately
Wrap each piece individually, and fill empty space in the box with bubble wrap or towels.
Stand plates on their edge instead of stacking them flat – they withstand pressure better that way. Glasses are packed upright with paper both inside and around them. Put a soft layer at the bottom and on top, and shake the box gently: if anything moves, add more filling.
3Protect your furniture
Use blankets and stretch wrap, and disassemble what you can before transport.
Put screws and fittings in a bag that you tape to the furniture or label with its name. Mattresses and upholstered furniture benefit from a plastic cover against dirt and damp. Drawers and cupboard doors are taped or wrapped so they do not open when the piece is lifted.
4Take extra care with electronics
Keep original boxes if possible, and photograph cable setups before disconnecting them.
TV screens travel upright, never lying flat, ideally with a blanket or cardboard in front of the screen. Put remote controls, cables and brackets in the same box as the device. Back up your computer before the move – it is cheaper than losing your files.
5Pack a "first night" box
Toiletries, chargers, a change of clothes, and important documents — easy to find right away.
Also add toilet paper, a towel, sheets, a kettle and something to eat. If you have children or pets, it is wise to pack their essentials in the same box. Label it clearly and load it last, so it comes out first.
6Label boxes clearly
Write the room and a short description of the contents, and mark "FRAGILE" where needed.
Write on the side of the box rather than on top – then the text is visible even when boxes are stacked. A colour or number per room lets the movers put each box in the right room straight away, so you do not have to carry them again afterwards.
In what order should you pack?
Start three to four weeks before the move with what you do not use: storage, attic, books, ornaments and seasonal clothes. Continue one room at a time and leave the kitchen, bathroom and everyday clothes until the last few days. Stand finished boxes along a wall, four or five high at most, so you can still move around your home.
When is packing help worth it?
Packing usually takes longer than the move itself. If you are short of time, have a lot of china and glass or a large home, it can pay to let us pack – everything, or just the hardest part such as the kitchen. We bring the materials, pack room by room and label the boxes, and the RUT deduction applies to packing too.
Common packing mistakes
Boxes that are too heavy are the most common problem – the bottom gives way or they become dangerous to carry on stairs. Next come half-full boxes that get crushed when stacked, and loose bags that cannot be stacked at all. Better to use more, sturdy boxes.
Never put liquids, cleaning products or opened bottles together with clothes and textiles. Stand them upright in a box of their own with a plastic bag around them, and label it. Plants, pictures and mirrors travel best separately: tell us in advance and we bring the right protection.
How much material you need
A 55 m² one-bedroom flat usually needs around 45 boxes – it always depends on how much you own – two or three rolls of packing tape and a roll of bubble wrap or a couple of kilos of packing paper. With lots of books or a well-stocked kitchen, allow for more boxes.
