The following boxes and packing materials are used specifically for household moving. These boxes and packing materials are manufactured especially to the moving industry‘s specifications, and you can obtain them from your van line agent, or from a moving supply company for a reasonable fee. You can also begin to collect cartons from your local grocery store, but be sure to ask for the covers, as well. Boxes designed specifically to carry glassware are very useful as they are sturdy and often contain dividers to separate the glass containers. These are great for packing glasses, bowls, vases and assortment of glass and delicate items.

Boxes:

• Book (1.5 cubic feet), size 17 x 123/8 x 123/8: These small cartons are designed to hold heavy items, such as books, records, CD’s, and canned goods.

• Legal Tote (2.3 cubic feet), size 24 x 16 x 13: specially designed for your files and folders.

• Medium (3.0 cubic feet), size 101/8 x 18 x 16: This box is designed for non-fragile and moderately heavy items, such as pots, pans, linen, folded clothes, toys, games, etc.

• Large (4.5 cubic feet), size 18 x 18 x 24 or (6.0 cubic feet), size 23 x 23 x 20: This size is good for all lightweight but large or bulky articles, such as pillows, comforters and lamp shades.

• Dish pack (5.2 cubic feet), size 18 x 18 x 28: This box has double-backed, extra-thick walls specifically designed for holding dishes, vases, glasses and other fragile items. You can also use a cell pack separator that holds china or glassware within individual compartments.

• Mirror, picture box: These narrow boxes accommodate a variety of different-sized mirrors, paintings and other fragile, flat items.

• Wardrobe box with metal bar: Equipped with a metal bar, this box allows your clothes to hang. It’s particularly useful for keeping your clothes organized.

• Mattress Box: Available in different sizes.

Miscellaneous Packing Materials:

• Tape: The most common tape used for carton sealing is a plastic tape called “PVC.”

• “Newsprint” paper: Avoid using newspapers for wrapping material, since the ink has a tendency to rub off on items it touches and is difficult to remove from items such as fine china. Instead, use newsprint paper as cushioning material.

• Tissue paper: This can be used to protect delicate or easily broken items.

• Bubble wrap: A terrific cushioning material.

• Styrofoam peanuts: Packing material used to protect fragile items. This material is lightweight, clean, lint-free, dustless and safe. In many cases, it can be recycled, so check with your van line agent or a local packing and shipping store.

• Ziploc bags: Where would we be without these fantastic inventions?! Use them for an assortment of things including paperwork and small items you may have lying about in containers and drawers.

• Felt Tip Markers: Use heavy or thick-pointed markers to clearly label the contents on all boxes and bags. It will save you lots of time hunting for belongings when you’re unpacking.