Boxes: Packing Tips Moving house can be a nightmare. It is important to be organized, and plan well in advance. Everything in the house will need to be packed, mostly in boxes. Packaging material will also be required. Arrange for these things beforehand. Try getting free boxes from the supermarket, or ask your mover for a supply of boxes. Store the boxes in way that they take the minimum space. You could flatten them out after opening both the ends, to achieve this. Cartons can be resealed with adhesive tape. Old newsprint works fine as packaging materiel. Anything special such as cushioning, wrapping paper, sheets and pads, bubble wrap, foam, loose fill, corrugated paper, adhesive tape etc, can be purchased from the supermarket. Markers and stickers should also be kept handy. Where to start Start packing things that are not used very frequently. Check out the garage, attic, cellar and cupboards for things to be packed first. Place a table in the center of the area where you are packing, putting your boxes and packing material near it for easy access. Try to be systematic. Decide where to start, and proceed to pack in a methodical fashion. How to pack Always make sure to place heavier articles at the bottom of the packing box and progressively lighter ones as you go to the top. Everything should be packed to ensure as snug a fit as possible. Fill gaps with crumpled newspaper, which is usually the handiest material available. This would prevent things from shifting about in their boxes in transit, minimizing damage. Breakables Breakables should be packed separately. Place a layer of crumpled newspaper at the bottom of the box and line it with a small sheet of bubble wrap. It would provide a base of soft padding. Wrap each piece to be placed in the box in a sheet of old newspaper and cover it with bubble wrap. Plates can be packed in sets of five or six, with a layer of bubble wrap between each. Glasses can be packed in partitioned boxes, the kind used in shipping bottles, that can be had from a wine store. Otherwise, use a simple medium sized cardboard box. Nestle the glasses into one another. This is done by wrapping one glass with a sheet of newspaper, making sure that the inside is lined too, and placing a similarly wrapped glass into it. You could nestle four to five glasses together, depending on their size and weight. Then lay the whole stack on a sheet of newsprint, and carefully wrap it up, tucking in the ends of the paper. Then wrap the stack in bubble wrap and seal it with adhesive tape. Goblets and other stemware can be wrapped in a similar manner, but cannot be nestled. They should be packed individually making sure that they are adequately protected, using a bubble wrap. Provide cushioning of crumpled newspapers between each layer of packed articles in the box. Also, make sure that each layer is packed with cushioning between the individual items, to eliminate shifting about and consequent damage. Pack glasses as the last layer at the top of the box, and place a layer of crumpled newspapers on top. When the box is full, make sure that it is not over packed, and then cover with sheets of newspaper and bubble wrap, closing the lid and sealing it properly with strong adhesive tape. Mark and label the box in thick bold letters with lettering such as: "THIS SIDE UP", "GLASSWARE - HANDLE WITH CARE", "FRAGILE" etc. Special boxes It would be best to purchase specialized packing boxes from your local agent or any other mover for packing table lamps, pictures, mirrors, mattresses and rugs.   Selecting box size Smaller boxes should be used to pack articles small in size but heavy in weight, like books, canned goods, records etc. Items that are not heavy but are bulky, such as small kitchen appliances, and utensils like pots and pans, should be packed in larger boxes. The largest boxes should carry the bulkiest of items, which weigh the least. These would include blankets, pillows, lampshades, shoes and toys. However, whatever the size of the box, over packing should be avoided. Weight of packed boxes Boxes should be packed in such a way that the weight of the small boxes is within 40 lbs, the medium ones weighing within 50 lbs, and the largest not above 50lbs. Legal requirements Safety being the primary concern, precautions should be taken also against violation of Federal regulations. Make sure that none of the boxes contain flammables, combustibles or explosives. Movers are prohibited from transporting aerosol cans, paints, paint thinners, gasoline or other similar inflammable material. Last minute Make an inventory sheet and assign a code for what is inside each box, marking the box accordingly with a corresponding endorsement on the inventory sheet. In the end, make doubly sure that all boxes have their lids securely closed with strong tape to prevent then from opening during transportation.----------------------------------------If you are a business owner get listed at Best Movingtrust Site, part of Localwin Network.