Pack Like a Pro

Separate items you're keeping, donating, or discarding before touching any boxes.

Photograph cable setups before disconnecting. Use original boxes where possible, or double-box TVs with bubble wrap.

Pack in large clean bags or wardrobe boxes — they work as cushioning for other items.

Books are heavy. Always use small boxes and pack them flat (not spine-down) to prevent damage.

Write "LIVING ROOM – FRAGILE" or "LIVING ROOM – BOOKS" on all four sides and the top of each box.

Invest in cell-divider boxes for glasses and stemware. Each glass should have its own cell.

Wrap each plate in packing paper, then stack them on their EDGE (not flat) — this prevents breakage.

Defrost the fridge 48hrs before. Clean and dry the microwave and blender before packing.

Nest smaller pots inside larger ones. Place a layer of paper between each to prevent scratches.

Use what you can in the weeks before. Seal open packets in ziplock bags and pack upright to prevent spills.

Use tall wardrobe boxes with hanging bars so clothes stay on hangers and arrive wrinkle-free.

Use your own suitcases and bags for folded clothes — this reduces the number of boxes needed.

Always use a mattress bag or heavy plastic wrap. Never move a mattress without protection.

Take photos before disassembly. Keep screws and bolts in a labelled ziplock bag taped to the frame.

Jewellery, passports, and important documents should always travel in your personal bag — not in the truck.

Place the item in a snug inner box, then place that inside a larger box with bubble wrap filling the gaps.

Write "FRAGILE – THIS SIDE UP" in red marker on all four sides and the top. Never just on the top.

Use corner protectors. Wrap in multiple layers of bubble wrap and sandwich between two pieces of cardboard.

Always pack heavy items at the bottom and lighter fragile items on top — never the reverse.

Gaps inside boxes allow items to shift and break. Fill every void with crumpled paper or bubble wrap.

Before packing any computer, back up your data to an external drive or cloud storage.

If you kept original packaging, use it. Otherwise, use boxes slightly larger than the device with bubble wrap padding.

Use tape and a marker to label each cable before disconnecting. Put all cables in one clearly labelled box.

Use pink anti-static bubble wrap (not standard bubble wrap) for sensitive electronics like hard drives and GPUs.

Never lay a monitor flat. Pack upright as they sit on your desk, with padding on all sides.