Packing is often the most time-consuming part of moving. Whether you're moving across Victoria or across the country, proper packing protects your belongings, saves time on moving day, and reduces stress. This comprehensive guide covers everything from gathering materials to packing your final box.
Essential Packing Supplies You'll Need
📦 Boxes & Containers
- • Small boxes (1.5 cu ft): Books, DVDs, canned goods
- • Medium boxes (3.0 cu ft): Kitchen items, toys, small electronics
- • Large boxes (4.5 cu ft): Linens, pillows, lampshades, lightweight items
- • Wardrobe boxes: Hanging clothes (optional but convenient)
- • Dish pack boxes: Extra-sturdy for dishes and glassware
🛡️ Protection Materials
- • Bubble wrap: Fragile items, electronics, glassware
- • Packing paper: Wrapping dishes, filling gaps
- • Foam sheets: Extra protection for valuables
- • Blankets/towels: Padding for furniture, mirrors
- • Stretch wrap: Securing drawers, protecting upholstery
🔧 Tools & Tape
- • Packing tape: Heavy-duty, 2-3 rolls per room
- • Tape dispenser: Makes taping much faster
- • Scissors/box cutter: Opening packages, cutting tape
- • Markers (thick): Labeling boxes clearly
- • Color stickers: Color-code by room (optional)
🎒 First Day Essentials
- • Clear plastic bins: Easy to identify contents
- • Ziplock bags: Small parts, screws, hardware
- • Trash bags: Linens, clothes, last-minute items
- • Backpack/suitcase: Important documents, valuables
- • Cleaning supplies: For old and new place
💡 How Many Boxes Do I Need?
- • Studio/1BR: 20-30 boxes
- • 2BR apartment: 40-60 boxes
- • 3BR house: 60-80 boxes
- • 4BR+ house: 80-120 boxes
- Pro tip: Order 20% more than you think you'll need. Extra boxes are better than running out mid-pack!
When to Start Packing: Complete Timeline
6-8 Weeks Before Moving
- ✓ Start decluttering - donate, sell, or trash items you don't need
- ✓ Collect free boxes from grocery stores, liquor stores
- ✓ Use up pantry items, cleaning supplies, toiletries
- ✓ Make inventory of valuable items
4 Weeks Before Moving
- ✓ Order packing supplies if buying new
- ✓ Pack storage areas: attic, garage, basement
- ✓ Pack off-season clothes and decorations
- ✓ Pack rarely-used items: books, keepsakes, extra linens
2 Weeks Before Moving
- ✓ Pack most of your home: guest rooms, dining room, living room
- ✓ Leave out only essentials for each room
- ✓ Defrost and clean freezer (allow 24-48 hours)
- ✓ Use up perishables - minimize fridge contents
1 Week Before Moving
- ✓ Pack kitchen (leave minimal cooking supplies)
- ✓ Pack bathroom (leave toiletries for final week)
- ✓ Pack most clothes (leave 1 week of outfits)
- ✓ Prepare essentials box for moving day
Moving Day
- ✓ Pack final toiletries and medications
- ✓ Pack last-minute items: phone chargers, keys, wallet
- ✓ Strip beds and pack bedding
- ✓ Do final walkthrough for forgotten items
Room-by-Room Packing Guide
🍽️
Kitchen (Most Time-Consuming!)
Dishes & Glassware:
- • Use dish pack boxes (extra sturdy)
- • Wrap each piece individually in packing paper
- • Place heaviest items on bottom
- • Pack plates vertically (not flat) - they're less likely to break
- • Fill empty spaces with crumpled paper
- • Mark box "FRAGILE - KITCHEN"
Pots, Pans & Appliances:
- • Nest pots and pans to save space
- • Use dish towels as padding between items
- • Pack small appliances in original boxes if possible
- • Remove glass lids and pack separately
- • Keep appliance cords with their appliances (tape or zip-tie)
Pantry Items:
- • Check expiration dates - toss old items
- • Put opened items in ziplock bags (prevent spills)
- • Pack heavy canned goods in small boxes
- • Use up perishables before moving day
- • Don't pack anything that could leak or spoil
⚠️ Kitchen Packing Mistakes:
- ❌ Overpacking boxes - keep under 30 lbs
- ❌ Not wrapping dishes individually
- ❌ Packing plates flat instead of vertical
- ❌ Leaving empty space in boxes (items shift)
- ❌ Forgetting to empty refrigerator/freezer
🛏️
Bedroom
Clothes:
- • Hanging clothes: Use wardrobe boxes OR leave on hangers and use garbage bags (poke hole for hangers)
- • Folded clothes: Leave in dresser drawers if possible (lighter dressers only)
- • Delicate items: Pack flat with tissue paper
- • Shoes: Pack in original boxes or stuff with paper to maintain shape
Bedding & Linens:
- • Pack in large boxes or vacuum bags (save space)
- • Use clean linens to wrap fragile items
- • Keep one set of sheets accessible for first night
- • Wash and pack curtains/drapes
🚿
Bathroom
Toiletries & Medications:
- • Seal all liquid bottles with plastic wrap under cap
- • Pack liquids in ziplock bags (prevent leaks)
- • Keep medications with you, not in moving truck
- • Pack a separate "first day" bathroom box
- • Dispose of expired medications properly
⚠️ Don't Pack:
- ❌ Aerosol cans (flammable)
- ❌ Nail polish/remover (flammable)
- ❌ Rubbing alcohol (flammable)
- ❌ Prescription medications you'll need
- ✓ Use up or dispose before moving
📺
Living Room
Electronics:
- • Take photos of cable connections before unplugging
- • Pack in original boxes if available
- • Use bubble wrap and packing paper generously
- • Keep remotes with their devices (tape together)
- • Remove batteries from remotes/devices
Books & Decor:
- • Pack books in SMALL boxes (they're heavy!)
- • Alternate spine directions to pack tight
- • Wrap picture frames in bubble wrap
- • Mark corners with tape for extra protection
- • Pack lamps without shades (pack shades separately)
Professional Packing Tips
✅ Best Practices
- 1.Label EVERYTHING
Box contents, destination room, and "FRAGILE" if needed. Label on top AND sides.
- 2.Pack Heavy Items in Small Boxes
Books, tools, canned goods should go in small boxes. Keep weight under 30 lbs.
- 3.Use the Right Box Size
Heavy in small, light in large. Don't overfill or underfill boxes.
- 4.Fill Empty Spaces
Use packing paper, towels, or clothes to prevent items from shifting.
- 5.Pack One Room at a Time
Stay organized and avoid mixing room contents. Label clearly.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1.Starting Too Late
Last-minute packing leads to poor organization and stress. Start 4-6 weeks early.
- 2.Not Labeling Boxes
You'll waste hours searching for items. Label everything clearly.
- 3.Overpacking Boxes
Heavy boxes are dangerous and may break. Keep under 30-40 lbs.
- 4.Not Using Enough Padding
Fragile items need proper protection. Don't skimp on bubble wrap.
- 5.Packing Prohibited Items
Flammables, hazardous materials, perishables can't go in moving trucks.
First Night Essentials Box
Pack a clearly labeled box (or suitcase) with everything you'll need for the first 24-48 hours. Load this LAST so it's the FIRST thing off the truck.
🛏️ Bedroom
- ✓ Sheets and pillows
- ✓ Blanket
- ✓ Pajamas
- ✓ Change of clothes
- ✓ Phone chargers
🚿 Bathroom
- ✓ Toiletries (toothbrush, soap)
- ✓ Towels
- ✓ Toilet paper
- ✓ Medications
- ✓ First aid kit
🍽️ Kitchen
- ✓ Paper plates/cups
- ✓ Plastic utensils
- ✓ Coffee maker/kettle
- ✓ Snacks
- ✓ Bottle opener
🧹 Cleaning
- ✓ All-purpose cleaner
- ✓ Paper towels
- ✓ Trash bags
- ✓ Dish soap
- ✓ Hand soap
🔧 Tools
- ✓ Screwdriver set
- ✓ Scissors
- ✓ Box cutter
- ✓ Hammer
- ✓ Tape measure
📄 Important Docs
- ✓ IDs and passports
- ✓ Lease/purchase docs
- ✓ Insurance papers
- ✓ Pet records
- ✓ Valuables/jewelry
Should You Hire Professional Packers?
✅ Consider Professional Packing If:
- • You have very limited time to pack
- • You have lots of fragile or valuable items
- • You have mobility issues or health concerns
- • You're moving for work and company is paying
- • You want insurance coverage for packed items
- • You'd rather pay for convenience
💰 DIY Packing Saves Money If:
- • You have 4-6 weeks to pack gradually
- • You have help from friends/family
- • You're on a tight moving budget
- • You prefer to handle your own items
- • You're organized and enjoy packing
- • You have mostly non-fragile items
💡 Hybrid Option: Partial Packing Services
You can pack most items yourself and hire professionals for specific rooms or items:
- • Kitchen only: Most time-consuming and requires skill with dishes/glassware
- • Fragile items: China, artwork, mirrors, electronics
- • Last-minute packing: Pros pack remaining items on moving day
Contact TruckNaGuy to discuss packing services tailored to your needs and budget.
Printable Packing Checklist
6-8 Weeks Before
- ☐ Declutter and donate unwanted items
- ☐ Collect free boxes from stores
- ☐ Order packing supplies
- ☐ Pack storage areas (attic, garage)
- ☐ Pack off-season items
4 Weeks Before
- ☐ Pack guest rooms
- ☐ Pack decorative items
- ☐ Pack books and DVDs
- ☐ Pack rarely-used kitchen items
2 Weeks Before
- ☐ Pack most of house
- ☐ Pack artwork and photos
- ☐ Defrost freezer
- ☐ Use up perishables
1 Week Before
- ☐ Pack kitchen (except essentials)
- ☐ Pack bathroom (except essentials)
- ☐ Pack most clothes
- ☐ Prepare essentials box
- ☐ Clean and pack garage
Moving Day
- ☐ Pack final toiletries
- ☐ Strip beds and pack bedding
- ☐ Pack last-minute items
- ☐ Load essentials box last
- ☐ Final walkthrough
After Arrival
- ☐ Unpack essentials box first
- ☐ Set up beds
- ☐ Unpack kitchen basics
- ☐ One room at a time
Need Help With Your Move?
Whether you pack yourself or want professional packing services, TruckNaGuy makes moving easy in Greater Victoria.
Call us at (778) 700-6823