DIY Packing

Assemble a packing box by interweaving the flaps on one side of the box and securing them with packing tape. Tape the edges of the bottom of the box so the corner edge of the box is strong. Tape down the flaps by laying tape down the middles of the flaps in an X pattern across the bottom.

Wrap breakable objects in newspaper to protect against breakage. Fill cups and vases with newspaper or tissue paper and then wrap the outsides. Wrap plates, figurines, beloved objects and anything with glass such as framed artwork or clocks. Wrap stemware, plates and glasses accordingly as they will be placed vertically within the box.

Fill your boxes with heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top. For hard-to-pack items, consider specialized boxes such as wardrobe cartons, original packing material and corrugated cartons for electronics, clothing, food and other items. Speak with your moving company regarding furniture or particularly sensitive items before attempting to pack or move them.

Fill the box with items until the box is a manageable carrying weight. If the box is not full, fill the empty space with packing peanuts, clothing or towels to further protect the items from shifting. Do not fill boxes completely when packing books or other heavy items. Instead, fill the box halfway and fill the extra space with soft, light objects or packing peanuts to reduce the risk of injury. The industry standard calls for a 50 pound weight limit, but let personal judgment be your guide. The top flaps of the box should lay flat across the items when finished.

Fold down the top flaps of the box and secure them with tape in the same manner used for the other side of the box.

Use a permanent market to label the box with the room the box belongs in and the number designating the order in which it was packed. For example, the fifth box packed in the kitchen should be labeled "Kitchen #5." This helps you and the movers determine which room to put the box in when unpacking. It also helps you keep track of how many boxes you packed and ensures that all of them reach their destination. Write down how many boxes were packed from each room and keep the list safe. Mark the box with an arrow indicating which side of the box to keep upright, as well as something indicating whether the contents are breakable.