When packing your belongings for your move, you want to be sure that they will be in the same good condition when you unload them in your new home. There are several things you can do to protect your goods during transport and prevent any moving-related damage. One of the best ways to do this is by creating bumpers, which are rolls of newsprint used to cushion and protect your goods.
Creating and Using Bumpers
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Photo by MeHere, sxc.hu |
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To make bumpers, you will need plenty of unprinted newsprint – the same paper used for newspaper but without the ink. You can find unprinted newsprint by the ream either online or at any packing supply store. Once you have your newsprint laid out on a table, you can start constructing your bumpers. First, take two pieces of the newsprint and loosely crumple them up. You will then take another piece of paper and wrap up the two crumpled pieces until you get something that looks like a submarine sandwich, hoagie, hero, grinder, or whatever you call a big sandwich in your region.
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The purpose of the bumper is to properly secure, support, and protect your belongings when they are packed away in cardboard boxes. You can begin loading your boxes by covering the bottom with a layer of bumpers. Once the bottom is sufficiently padded, place your items on top of the bumpers. Be sure to place thin items, like dishes and picture frames, vertically and in the opposite direction of the bumpers. This method will prevent such items from slipping into the cracks between your bumpers and being broken during a rough move.
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| TIP: As you put your goods into the box, you can fill in any holes or open corners with a crumpled up piece of newsprint. If you find a large gap between your items, you can also stuff a bumper inside. |
When your box is fully packed, you should top it off with another layer of bumpers, which will help to protect and cushion your items when the boxes are stacked on top of each other. After laying the bumpers across the top, close the flaps of the box and make sure there isn't any open space between the bumpers and the top of the box. Here are some additional things to keep in mind when packing your boxes:
- Before sealing the box, press down on the top to ensure that the entire box is well supported. If there is any give, simply add more bumpers. If the box is not properly supported, it could potentially collapse from the weight of a box placed on top of it.
- When the box is packed, you should then lift it up and lightly shake it, just to be sure that all of its items are secure. If things are loose, you can just put in some more bumpers or crumpled up pieces of newsprint.
- By lifting the box you can also see if it will be too heavy for you or your movers to lift. If this is the case, you can always remove some items and place them in another box.
Once you are sure that everything is securely cushioned and packed, seal the box up by placing three strips of tape across the top. After the box is sealed, label it according to what room it will be going to in your new home. Remember to clearly label the box on the sides and the top. If your box contains fragile and delicate items, label it as TLO (Top Load Only). This way, you and your movers will know that this box should be placed above other boxes and that nothing should be stacked on top of it. |
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