Packing is the part of a move that people most often underestimate. It takes longer than expected, and how well it's done has a direct effect on whether your belongings arrive in the same condition they left in. If you're handling some or all of your own packing, this guide walks you through how to do it the way professional movers do, with the right materials, the right techniques, and a realistic plan. DeHaven's Transfer & Storage has been moving North Carolina families since 1951, and the advice below comes from more than seventy years of seeing what protects belongings and what doesn't. And if you'd rather not pack at all, our crews offer full-service and partial packing as well.
Should You Pack Yourself or Hire Packers?
Packing yourself can save money, and for many households it's a reasonable choice. But it's worth going in with clear expectations. Doing your own packing well takes real time and effort, usually more than people plan for, and certain items genuinely benefit from professional handling.
A few honest guidelines on what to leave to professional packers:
- Marble or glass tabletops, and large mirrors or wall ornaments (40 inches by 60 inches or larger)
- Pool tables
- Chandeliers and large light fixtures
- Bulky fragile items like large statues, trophies, and sculptures
- Major appliances
- Pianos and large instruments
For these items, the cost of professional packing is almost always less than the cost of a damaged piece. One important note for owner-packed moves: items packed by the owner are handled at the owner's risk, and valuation coverage on those items works differently than on professionally packed goods. If you have high-value or irreplaceable belongings, it's worth talking with our team about the right approach. Many DeHaven's customers choose a partial pack, doing the simple rooms themselves and letting our crews handle the kitchen, the fragile items, and the specialty pieces.
Packing Supplies You'll Need
Using new, quality materials made for moving is one of the biggest factors in whether your belongings arrive safely. Used grocery-store cartons are inconsistent in strength, may not stack well, and can fail under weight. Before you start, gather:
- Professional-quality moving cartons in a range of sizes
- Packing paper (plain newsprint) and tissue paper
- Two-inch PVC packing tape
- Permanent markers
- A utility knife and scissors
- Stretch wrap for furniture
A quick note on tape: PVC packing tape seals cartons far more reliably than masking tape or narrow cellophane tape, which tend to fail under weight or over time. It's worth using the right tape.
DeHaven's sells professional moving cartons and packing materials, and our team can help you estimate how much you'll need based on the size of your home. Learn more about our moving supplies.
Choosing the Right Cartons
Different belongings call for different cartons. Using the right size for each type of item keeps weight manageable and protects fragile pieces. The standard professional carton types are:
- 1.5 cubic foot cartons — small cartons for heavy items such as books, files, and media
- 3.0 cubic foot cartons — medium utility cartons for pots and pans, toys, and small appliances
- 4.5 cubic foot cartons — for bulkier items such as linens and towels
- 6.0 cubic foot cartons — for large, lightweight, bulky articles such as pillows and large lampshades
- Wardrobe cartons — a portable closet that keeps clothing and draperies on a hanging bar
- Mirror cartons — telescoping cartons in several sizes for framed art, mirrors, and glass
- Mattress cartons — sized for king/queen, double, twin, and crib mattresses; box springs need a separate carton
- Dishpacks (china barrels) — heavy-duty cartons for dishes, china, crystal, and glassware
- Double-wall cartons — extra-protective cartons for fine china, crystal, and high-value, hard-to-replace items
The general rule that catches people off guard: heavy items go in small cartons, light items go in large cartons. A large carton full of books is too heavy to handle safely. Keep every carton under 50 pounds.
Make a Packing Plan
Packing without a plan feels faster but almost always costs more time and stress in the end. A simple plan keeps the process organized and prevents the moving-day scramble.
- Start early. Give yourself a realistic schedule in the weeks leading up to moving day rather than a few frantic nights at the end.
- Begin with what you use least. Out-of-season items, the basement, the garage, the attic, and rarely-used belongings should be packed first.
- Work room by room. Finishing one room before starting the next keeps belongings together and unpacking logical.
- Set up a work area in each room with your cartons, paper, and tape within reach.
- Sort as you finish. As each room is completed, group cartons by light, medium, and heavy.
- Declutter as you go. A move is the best opportunity you'll get to sell, donate, or discard what you no longer need. Every carton you don't pack is one you don't pay to move or have to unpack.
- Pack an essentials box. Set aside the things you'll need the first night and first morning (medications, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen items) so you're not opening every carton on day one.
Have everything packed and ready for loading the evening before moving day, leaving out only what you need that last night and morning.
How to Pack a Carton Properly
Good packing technique comes down to cushioning, layering, and a firm pack. Inside any carton:
- Place a two- to three-inch layer of crushed paper at the bottom for cushioning.
- Wrap items individually in clean paper. Use tissue paper or paper towels for fine china, crystal, and delicate pieces.
- Build in layers, heaviest items on the bottom, medium weight next, lightest on top.
- Fill empty spaces firmly with crushed paper as you go, so nothing shifts. Sheets of cardboard cut from a spare carton make good dividers.
- The more fragile the item, the more cushioning it needs. Leave no sharp edges or rims uncovered.
- Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items together in small cartons cushioned with crushed paper, then place those small cartons inside a larger one.
- Aim for a firm pack. The lid should close easily without forcing it, but it shouldn't bow inward.
One warning worth repeating: use newspaper only as a void filler, never directly against your belongings. The ink rubs off and can permanently embed in fine china and light-colored items. Use clean packing paper or tissue paper against the item itself.
A few more habits the professionals follow: empty drawers of anything breakable, spillable, or sharp before moving the furniture. Keep parts and pairs together, small hardware in a labeled plastic bag taped to the item it belongs to. Wind and secure electrical cords so they don't dangle.
How to Label Cartons
Good labeling is what turns chaos into an organized unload. Every carton should be labeled, and it only takes a few extra seconds per carton.
- Use a broad, felt-tipped permanent marker.
- Clearly mark the contents and the destination room on the side of the carton, not the top, so it's readable while cartons are stacked.
- Mark fragile cartons "FRAGILE," and mark "THIS END UP" where it matters.
- Note the contents on the carton and, ideally, in a separate notebook or a list on your phone. Numbering or coding your cartons makes that list easy to search later.
- Mark the cartons you'll want to open first at the destination with a "1" or an "A."
- At the new home, tape a sign on each room's door matching your carton labels so the crew can place every carton in the right room quickly.
What Not to Pack
Some items legally cannot travel on a moving van, and others simply shouldn't. Knowing this in advance prevents problems on moving day.
Hazardous materials cannot be loaded on the truck under any circumstances. These include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, corrosives, poisons, and radioactive materials. Common household examples include:
- Gasoline, propane cylinders, and oxygen bottles
- Paints, paint thinner, and nail polish remover
- Lighter fluid, matches, and fireworks
- Automotive chemicals
- Aerosols and other pressurized containers
Other items shouldn't go on the van even though they aren't hazardous. Carry these with you instead:
- Cash, jewelry, and valuable collections such as coins
- Important documents: deeds, wills, stocks, bonds, certificates, and your moving paperwork
- Irreplaceable items and family photos
- Prescription medications you'll need right away
- Food in glass jars and perishable food
The simple rule: anything irreplaceable or valuable enough that you'd be devastated to lose it should travel with you, not on the truck.
Prefer to Leave the Packing to Us?
Owner-packing isn't the right fit for everyone, and there's no wrong choice here. DeHaven's offers full-service packing, where our trained crews pack your entire home with professional materials, and partial packing, where we handle the kitchen, the fragile items, and the specialty pieces while you take care of the rest. Either way, you get the protection of professional packing where it matters most. Learn more about our full-service moving and residential moving services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start packing?
Start as early as you reasonably can, ideally several weeks before moving day. Begin with the things you use least (out-of-season items, the attic, the garage, storage areas) and work toward the things you use daily, which you'll pack last. Starting early also gives you time to declutter as you go, which reduces the size and cost of your move.
What should I pack first when moving?
Pack the rooms and items you use least often first: the basement, garage, attic, out-of-season clothing, decorative items, books, and rarely-used belongings. Save daily essentials (kitchen basics, toiletries, medications, frequently worn clothing) for last, and set aside an essentials carton with everything you'll need the first night and morning.
What kind of cartons do I need for moving?
Use professional moving cartons sized to the contents: small (1.5 cubic foot) cartons for heavy items like books, medium and large cartons for lighter bulky items, dishpacks for china and glassware, wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes, and mirror cartons for framed art and glass. Heavy items go in small cartons, light items in large cartons, and no carton should exceed 50 pounds. DeHaven's sells professional moving cartons and materials.
How heavy should a moving carton be?
Keep every carton under 50 pounds. A carton that's too heavy is hard to handle safely, more likely to be dropped, and more likely to fail at the bottom. If a carton feels too heavy, repack some of the contents into another carton and fill the space with something lightweight.
What items can't movers take?
Movers cannot transport hazardous materials, including gasoline, propane, oxygen bottles, paints and thinners, aerosols, lighter fluid, matches, fireworks, and automotive chemicals. You should also personally carry valuables and irreplaceable items: cash, jewelry, important documents, family photos, and medications you need right away.
Should I pack myself or hire packing services?
Both are valid. Owner-packing saves money but takes significant time, and owner-packed items are moved at the owner's risk. Professional packing is faster, protects fragile and high-value items, and changes how valuation coverage applies. Many customers choose a partial pack, handling the easy rooms themselves and letting professionals handle the kitchen, fragile items, and specialty pieces. Our team can help you decide what makes sense for your home.
Does DeHaven's sell moving supplies?
Yes. We sell professional-quality moving cartons, packing paper, tape, and other materials, and our team can help you estimate how much you'll need based on the size of your home.
Planning a Move in North Carolina?
Whether you're packing yourself, using our crews, or doing a bit of both, DeHaven's has helped North Carolina families move since 1951. To talk through your move or request a quote, fill out our form or call our team. We'll answer your questions and help you build a plan that fits your home, your timeline, and your budget.
