When you want to pack heavy items, especially items like books (which can easily fill a box heavier than you can safely lift), take these “How To” tips to heart from the Winks at Store In A Wink. Your back will thank you.
Rule #1 – never pack a box heavier than one person can safely lift
Rule #2 – use small boxes…so that you don’t violate rule #1 (we recommend the Small U-Haul box)
Rule #3 – buy quality boxes which can easily withstand being stacked. Quality boxes that are heavy enough to stack, like our U-Haul boxes, avoid the mess that lighter boxes can crease as they crush & fall when stacked. Buy quality boxes from someone like Store In A Wink, who buys in bulk as a courtesy for those who store items in their facility or rent U-Haul trucks from them. You probably won’t spend any more for quality boxes that are heavy enough to stack and your move will go far better.
Rule #4 – Do not overlap the flaps on the box when you assemble it, simply fold together & tape the joints with a good paper box tape, such as our brown U-Haul boxing tape. Filament/strapping tape is good…but is usually overkill and much more expensive. Clear tapes and duct tapes do not stick well, nor do they hold as much. Just like buying quality boxes is not more expensive….so buying the right tape is not more expensive. One strip across the bottom is usually adequate for an average weight box, 2-3 strips is maximum for a heavier, well-packed box. And remember, use the same # of strips of tape on the top as you did for the bottom of the box. You’ll quite likely stack your boxes at some time during the move.
Rule #5 – Recycle: when you are finished with your move, slit the tape in the center of the joint, slit the ends, and fold the box away flat for future use. A good quality box can be used & re-used over and over for years. (The Winkley family has U-Haul boxes they use at home that are over 20 years old and still in good condition).
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