Packing · 13 min read
Packing Like a Pro: 30 Expert Tips from Toronto Movers
Good packing is what makes moving day fast, safe and predictable. These thirty tips come from how professional crews actually pack homes across Toronto and the GTA — grouped so you can work through them room by room.
Boxes and materials
- Use proper moving boxes — grocery boxes collapse under weight
- Keep boxes under about 20 kg so one person can lift them safely
- Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes
- Tape the bottom seam twice, in both directions
- Fill empty space with paper so nothing shifts inside
- Never use boxes with water damage or torn corners
Kitchen and fragile items
- Pack plates vertically, like records — they survive drops better
- Wrap glasses individually and pack them rim-down in dividers
- Cushion the bottom of every fragile box with 5 cm of crumpled paper
- Nest pots and pans with paper between each one
- Seal open food containers or move them in a separate tote
- Mark fragile boxes on the top and at least two sides
Bedrooms and clothing
- Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes to skip re-ironing
- Vacuum-seal off-season clothing to save space
- Pack bedding last and use it as padding on moving day
- Keep one 'first night' box with sheets, towels and toiletries
Furniture and electronics
- Photograph cable setups before unplugging electronics
- Bag screws and hardware and tape the bag to the furniture
- Remove legs from tables where possible to prevent snapping
- Wrap wood furniture in blankets, not plastic directly on the finish
- Move TVs in their original boxes when you have them
- Empty dressers fully — drawers full of items add dangerous weight
Labelling and organisation
- Label every box with room and a short contents note
- Number your boxes and keep a simple count
- Use coloured tape or stickers per room for fast unloading
- Mark 'open first' boxes clearly
- Keep a photo record of valuable items before packing them
What not to pack on the truck
- Keep passports, documents, medication and keys with you
- Do not pack flammables, paint, propane or chemicals
- Carry jewellery, cash and small valuables personally
- For cross-border moves, check restricted and prohibited item rules before packing