Are you looking to pack and secure household goods without losing all your hair? Packing a shipping container requires careful planning and a good strategy to protect your items' integrity. Read on for step-by-step instructions on packing and transporting household items in a container. We'll also provide expert tips for a safe and stress-free move.
Why Choose a Shipping Container for Moving or Storage?
Shipping containers are an excellent choice for transporting household goods if you're relocating to a new state, moving to a new city or making a military move. They are also ideal for storing items during renovations. Here are some of the reasons why shipping containers are a great choice:
- Offer unmatched durability: Shipping containers are strong enough to hold heavy household goods without falling apart.
- Protect from elements: Shipping containers are made of highly durable materials and are built to withstand harsh weather conditions like rain, storms and heat.
- Deter pests and animals: Unlike other packing options, which can be easily chewed through, shipping containers are made from sturdy metal. Animals and pests won't easily find their way to your precious belongings.
- Provide a secure lock: Shipping containers can be fitted with a lock box that protects the items from human intruders. If you're using the container for storage during a renovation, look for a facility with 24-hour surveillance.
- Deliver versatility and modifications: Shipping containers can be modified for ventilation, insulation and temperature control to keep your household goods in prime condition.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Pack a Shipping Container With Household Goods
Household goods come in many shapes, sizes and weights, which could pose unique challenges for shipping. Here's how to pack a shipping container with household goods.
1. Evaluate Item Options
Whether you're relocating or looking for temporary storage solutions, this is the perfect opportunity to evaluate your household items and decide which ones you no longer need. Doing so can help you save on shipping costs and save time loading and unloading the container.
Once you've identified the items you want to pack, you'll need to weigh them out and determine which type and size of container will work. Completing this step can make packing a shipping container much easier.
2. Prepare the Area
Place the shipping container in a convenient spot that is easily accessible for transport teams. A good spot would be in front of a garage. Ensure the container is not in the way of traffic and won't inconvenience other users of the space.
Another of the best tips for packing a container for moving is to ensure it's placed on firm, level ground. This helps balance out the container and prevents furniture from toppling over.
3. Pack and Prepare Items
Preparing the items for shipping container packing is vital to making the most of the space and preventing damage. Household products should be wrapped thoroughly with cushioning materials, such as Bubble Wrap or newspaper, to prevent bumps and damage. Once all the items are properly wrapped, place them into moving boxes.
Fill any empty spaces in the boxes with more cushioning materials to prevent items from moving around too much during transit. The main goal here is to get each item as tightly packed as possible because products that aren't tightly packed risk being shattered or otherwise broken.
You can also use desiccants to protect the items. Dessicants like silica gel are typically used in smaller containers, whereas calcium chloride is commonly used for bigger containers. They absorb moisture in the air and help keep humidity levels lower to prevent condensation and corrosion.
4. Load the Shipping Container
Knowing the correct order to load shipping container furniture helps you protect your items and make the most efficient use of the space.
Consider where your larger pieces will sit and what items you can use to create a protective buffer. The golden rule is to load in tiers from back to front and floor to ceiling. Here's the order you would typically pack household items:
- Start with heavy or bulky items: Load your heavy items first, and start placing them on the floor to create a stable base. Try to set the items at the back of the container to build more stability, but save a few for the front for better distribution.
- Distribute the weight evenly: As you load items, be attentive to the weight distribution to prevent the safety issues of imbalanced containers. For example, if you put a heavy table on one side, try to find an item with a somewhat matching weight to place on the other end of the container.
- Work in sections: Create a solid wall of items that starts on the floor and makes its way up toward the ceiling. Working from section to section, bottom to top, makes the process much easier.
- Use soft items to fill in the gaps: If you have cushions, pillows or blankets, use them to fill any spaces between boxes. They can prevent items from falling during transit and cushion them if they do.
- Load fragile items: Lastly, load the most fragile items on top and secure them with straps to prevent them from falling.
Loading Techniques for a Safe and Secure Move
Proper loading techniques can make the process more secure and help you make the most of the space. Here are the best practices for shipping container packing:
- Heavy to light: Place the heavy items on the bottom and put the lighter ones on the top.
- Secure with straps: Use ratchet straps, bracing and load bars to secure the boxes and prevent them from moving around.
- Heavy-duty locks: High-quality padlocks can help secure the container doors, offering extra protection and preventing them from being cut.
Expert Tips for Efficient and Stress-Free Packing
Packing can be stressful, whether you just have a few items or a large container full. Here are some expert tips to pack a moving container in the most efficient and stress-free way possible:
- Label boxes: Labeling boxes makes it easier to identify heavy items and stay organized.
- Select the right container size: You can choose a large 16-foot container, a small eight-foot option and more. Select one that is right for your weight and volume of household goods.
- Use well-matched packaging materials: Some household items may be particularly sensitive and call for stronger dessicants and better packaging protection.
One of the best ways to save yourself stress, money and time is to work with a logistics agency. Container Transport offers reliable and efficient household goods container transport that will take the weight off your shoulders.
Get Efficient Shipping Solutions From Container Transport
Now that you know how to pack a container for moving, you can rely on Container Transport. We can move your full container from the pickup point to your preferred destination. We've mastered the art of streamlining logistics to move containers with maximum efficiency across the U.S. Since 2009, we've been passionate about providing excellence in every area of transportation. We are one of the most trusted container moving companies in America.
Learn more about our household goods container shipping solutions, or contact us for a hassle-free quote or consultation.
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