Packing mistakes that cause damage to your goods when moving are not acceptable to you. This is why you should learn about what are common DIY packing mistakes so that you cannot repeat them. If you are confident about your packing skills again you should have knowledge about what others commit packing mistakes when moving. This will help you make informed decisions about whether you should pack, learn packing techniques, or opt for professional packing services from an experienced moving company. Continue reading to learn more about DIY packing mistakes.
An Overview of Common Packing Mistakes When Moving
Moving home? Obviously, you will need to pack your household items before you transport them to your new home. You might be tempted towards DIY packing to make your move affordable, but this is not always true. A DIY packing can lead to damage because you are not an expert. You have never dealt with packing tasks before. So, you are more likely to give improper or poor packing to the goods you want to shift.
Moreover, a DIY packing of the goods you want to move can also cause stress, anger, and frustration if things do not go in your favor. Just keep in mind that you are not likely to save big by packing your goods by yourself. Rather it will be a silly decision to pack items, especially delicate things, for a move. This can result into an expensive affair if you are goods are lost or damaged in transit. Not only fragile items, if your furniture pieces or expensive antiques are damaged just because of poor packing—you will regret your decision.
Whether you are preparing for a house move or want to transport delicate items—proper packing is crucial. Remember that packing is not just about keeping goods in boxes—it’s about protecting them from the elements, from jostling, and from accidental falls. There are several common packing pitfalls that can lead to damage to your possessions. However, you can make informed decisions and avoid costly damage by understanding these common packing mistakes.
1. Overestimating Your Packing Skills
You know what many people believe they can pack just as efficiently and securely as professional packers and movers. Seriously? They don’t. They fail to achieve the goal of the perfect packing for the move and regret the same later. You also might have a strong desire to save money by packing your stuff yourself. But the fact you should know that packing is a skill. You cannot pack your belongings for a secure move as efficiently as professionals do. After all, professionals are professionals for good reasons. They understand the distinctions of secure wrapping, cushioning, and arranging items in a way that reduces the risk of damage. Plus, they bring expertise and understand packing is not just about putting items into a box and taping it shut.
On the other hand, DIY packing enthusiasts do not possess expertise. They even do not take the time to learn proper packing techniques. If you are thinking of packing your items for moving, you may neglect to wrap fragile items in protective sheets or bubble wrap Also, you may fail to consider appropriate use of space within a box. For example, you may not know glassware should always be wrapped individually with bubble wrap or electronics should be packed with extra cushioning supplies to prevent vibrations or shock. If you do not have expertise, you are more likely to create conditions that increase the chances of damage to goods in transit, even if you are careful about how you pack.
2. Inadequate Protection for Fragile Items
One of the top reasons why fragile items are damaged in transit is inadequate protection. It is one of the most common DIY packing mistakes most people commit. All these happen because of the lack of expertise and knowledge. Perhaps you do not know glassware, electronics, silverware, and other delicate items require more than just a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap sheets. Maybe you do not know proper padding and cushioning are also required. Or, you do not have access to specialized packing supplies like foam sheets, peanut foams, dish-pack boxes, or custom boxes to prevent damage.
If you are packing fragile items in ordinary boxes without proper padding, you can see terrible results for sure. Your items can get damaged during the shifting process without sufficient protection. Keep in mind that packing items like glassware, artwork, fine china, and collectibles is not a fun chore at all. These items require extra care and specific packing materials to ensure they arrive at their destination intact. Be careful—a simple bump or shock during transit can cause cracks, chips, or complete damage. Additionally, you should also know the amount of padding supplies required for providing adequate protection to fragile items. Using too little padding supplies can result in items knocking against each other, increasing the risk of breakage.
3. Underestimating the Importance of Proper Box Sizing
Another common DIY packing mistake is choosing the wrong size of boxes. In most cases of DIY packing for moving, people opt for a standard, all-purpose box, and hope that it will work fine for everything. But the reality? All-purpose boxes will not serve the purpose of accommodating all types of items. Each item requires a perfect-fit box. Also, using an extra large box can leave too much empty space. In this case, your items will shift during transit and inflate the chances of damage and breakage. If you are using too small boxes, this can lead to crushing or unnecessary pressure on the contents inside.
The boxes you choose for packing and moving should cozily fit the items. Also, there should be enough room (space) for padding materials around all sides. In general, about inches of cushioning space on all sides of each item is recommended. Heavier items should be packed in smaller boxes to avoid overloading. On the other hand, lightweight items such as pillows, linens, or clothes can be packed into larger boxes to make the most efficient use of space.
Many people also make the mistake of packing too much into a box or opting for boxes that are not sturdy enough to handle the weight. Not only will this increase the chances of breakage, but it can also lead to boxes that collapse under pressure, creating a mess and possibly injuring the movers or yourself.
4. Failing to Label Boxes Properly
Many people often overlook labeling boxes properly. Don’t think this is okay if your packing is good. It is one of the kinds of DIY packing mistakes and can result in damage to goods in transit. Just slapping a vague label on boxes like “miscellaneous” or “kitchen stuff” is also a mistake. With vague labeling, you might save time at the moment, but it creates a hassle when at the time of unpacking or locating specific items later.
The risk of damage to unlabelled or poorly labeled boxes is high also because of difficulty in handling them. The packers and movers you hire for your move may not know how to handle certain boxes if they are not labeled properly. Thus, it is essential to mark boxes with the appropriate tags. Boxes containing delicate items should be marked with clear warnings like “Fragile” or “Handle with Care”. It is also a wise idea to indicate which side of the box should be kept up to prevent damage when boxes are stacked on the truck.
If you fail to properly label boxes, you are more likely to risk your items, especially valuable and fragile items. Additionally, you may find difficulty in figuring out what’s inside each box. This can cause confusion and may your more time when unpacking. And, the risk of damage to fragile items is also there when unpacking because you do not know what’s inside
5. Ignoring Temperature and Humidity Considerations
Not thinking about the potential environmental conditions when packing for moving is also a big packing mistake you can commit. If you are thinking of putting your belongings in a storage unit or transporting them over a long distance, the environmental conditions can cause damage. You need to understand that temperature and humidity fluctuations can be disastrous for sensitive items like electronics, antiques, paintings, leather goods, and even certain types of clothing. Similarly, electronics can overheat or become damaged.
Too many people fail to understand the environmental impact on goods in transit. They just commit the mistake of using subpar packing materials. You must know bubble wrap does not provide much protection against temperature extremes. So, if you want to transport your goods over a long distance, invest in special or climate-controlled packing materials.
6. Not Using the Right Packing Materials
Choosing the right packing materials is crucial if you want to safeguard your belongings when moving. Unfortunately, many DIY packing enthusiasts do not understand this. Often, they use whatever they have on hand, like old newspapers, old grocery bags, mismatched wrapping materials, or old boxes obtained from local grocery stores. I agree using these things is a good way to save money when moving. But, if you think deeply, you will realize that using these materials can actually do more harm than good.
For example, ink from newspapers can stain expensive crockery sets, clothing, and other delicate items. The old boxes obtained from grocery stores can easily get damaged if not reinforced securely. Grocery bags can rip or tear easily, leaving your items exposed to damage. So, I don’t think using old or available materials in packing is a good idea. So, you must invest in quality packing materials and fresh sturdy boxes to safeguard the items that you want to shift. You should use durable cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, peanut foam, and foam sheets. Because these materials are specifically designed for securing items during transport. In addition, proper cushioning is required to prevent items from moving around and colliding with one another.
Stretch wrap is another packing material that you can use to wrap and secure furniture. Just remember the fact that the right packing supplies provide reliable protection that cheap or improvised options cannot.
7. Not Considering the Weight of Items
It would be one of the serious packing mistakes if you do not consider the weight and balance of items at the time of packing. Remember that overloading a box with heavy items like books and kitchenware can make the box difficult to carry. It can increase the risk of the box tearing open. Also, a heavy box can fall and cause physical injury. So, keep the weight of the box reasonable so that you can easily lift it.
Additionally, do not pack lighter items with heavy items. If you do this, it is more likely that your items get crushed under the weight. Note that a good packing strategy involves distributing the weight evenly across multiple boxes. Use smaller boxes for heavy items and larger boxes for lighter ones. Additionally, place heavier items first and lighter ones on top. And do not forget the strategy of filling the gaps with soft materials like wadded packing paper or bubble wrap sheets.
8. Rushing the Packing Process
Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes DIY packers make is rushing the packing process. Whether you’re packing in preparation for a move, shipping goods, or storing seasonal items, hurrying through the process will almost certainly lead to mistakes. Taking the time to properly pack and protect your belongings requires patience and attention to detail.
When you rush, you may overlook key details, like ensuring all fragile items are wrapped securely or checking the integrity of the boxes. Rushing can also lead to poor organization, which can cause damage or loss of items. To avoid this, allocate enough time for the packing process. Start well in advance of your move or shipment date, and approach each item with care.
Conclusion: DIY Packing Mistakes
Packing mistakes are obvious when you are opting for DIY packing of your belongings when moving. However, you can avoid these packing pitfalls by learning some smart packing techniques and using the right packing supplies. In this blog post, I have highlighted what packing mistakes you should avoid when DIY packing your belongings.
If you are skeptical about DIY packing and don’t want to commit mistakes, it is always better to hire professional packers and movers to safeguard your belongings and transfer them without damage. By the way, if you are looking for professional packing services, you can rely on Moving Solutions. This is the portal where you can find top-rated packers and movers in Dehradun, Chandigarh, Pune, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other major cities of India. These experts will not only pack your belongings securely but also transfer them to your destination timely without damage.
I hope you will make yourself smart when preparing and packing your items for the move.
A copywriter, blogger, content strategist by profession, and an information junkie by heart. I have a penchant for reading, researching, writing, and anything related to creating persuasive content. For me, writing is something that ignites my creativity and helps in keeping me on cloud nine. I have been working in the content writing domain since 2006. Be it blogging or copywriting, I create better content that fuels conversations and skyrockets search traffic.
