Moving
A well-packed unit holds more, protects your things better, and saves you from unloading everything to find one box. Here is how to pack, what to use, and how to load it, plus a few tips for moving in Lubbock.
Heavy items go in small boxes. Books, tools, and canned goods in a big box make it too heavy to lift safely.
Fill every box all the way. Half-empty boxes crush when stacked. Fill gaps with towels, linens, or packing paper.
Tape the bottom in an H pattern. One strip down the middle seam and one across each edge keeps the bottom from giving out.
Label two sides, not just the top. Once boxes are stacked, the top is the one side you cannot see. Write the room and a box number.
Keep a numbered list. Box numbers matched to a list on your phone mean you can find anything without opening every box.
Take off legs and remove shelves. Bag the hardware and tape it to the piece. Wrap in blankets, and stand sofas on end to save floor space.
Seal in a mattress bag to keep dust out. Store it flat if you can, and never put heavy boxes on top of it.
Use the original boxes if you have them. Photograph cord setups first, bag and label cables, and store electronics in climate control.
Wrap each piece. Stand plates on edge like records, which makes them less likely to break. Mark the box FRAGILE and keep it on top.
Hang nice clothes in wardrobe boxes. Fold the rest into totes. Make sure everything is clean and fully dry first.
Small boxes only. Pack books flat or spine-down, and put important papers in a sealed plastic file box.
Think of the unit in three zones, from the back wall to the door.
Back wall: large furniture, appliances, and anything you will not need until you move out. Lay pallets or plastic down first.
Middle: stacked boxes, heaviest on the bottom and lightest on top. Keep stacks straight so they do not lean.
Front: seasonal items and anything you will need to grab, with labels facing out.
Walkway: leave a path down the middle or along one side so you can reach the back without unloading.
Use the height: a free-standing shelf holds small boxes and loose items so they are not buried.
In summer, load in the early morning. Afternoon heat wears you out fast and softens tape, candles, and anything vinyl.
Check the forecast. On windy days, strap down truck loads, keep lightweight boxes inside, and do not leave the unit door open.
May move-out and August move-in are the busiest weeks in town. Reserve your unit and moving truck early.
Grab our printable packing checklist, then find a unit near you.
Use matching box sizes so they stack, fill every box completely, and label two sides. Load large furniture against the back wall, stack boxes heaviest on the bottom, keep things you need often near the door, and leave a walkway.
Cardboard is cheaper and fine for most things. Use plastic totes with lids for keepsakes, photos, papers, and anything you want sealed against dust.
Seal it in a mattress bag to keep dust out, store it flat if you can, and do not stack heavy items on top. A climate controlled unit helps protect it from heat.
A 10x10 usually holds the contents of a one-bedroom apartment, including a bedroom set, couch, chairs, and boxes. Packing tightly and stacking high helps you fit more.