Whether you are moving just a few items or moving all of your belongings, using the right boxes is an essential part of a successful move. Many people believe that any type of box will be sufficient for packing all of their items, but this is not always the case. Before you begin packing, it is important to consider the following tips to ensure your items are packed in safe and strong boxes:

Quality of Boxes: Every year thousands of shipping boxes end up in landfills. One of the best ways to be mindful of the environment when moving is to acquire used boxes. When you pack your items in used boxes, you are reducing your carbon footprint, reducing the number of boxes going into landfills, and saving trees. Used and recycled boxes are strong, reliable, and durable. Boxes that were constructed for household moving are used by professional moving companies. You will feel better knowing that you are helping to protect the environment.

Small Boxes: These boxes are about 1.5 cubic feet and can hold heavy items such as books, tools, fragile items, and kitchen utensils. They are also great for loose items that are just lying around the home.

Medium Boxes: About the size of a drawer, these boxes are about 3.0 cubic feet and are a good multi-use box. They are great for holding such items as toys, pots and pans, medium size kitchen items, boots and shoes, clothing...etc.

Large Boxes: People tend to use this size for most of their packing needs because they can hold a lot of items. The size of a large box is about 4.5 cubic feet. You should pack large, but light weight items so you can carry the boxes. Such items can include: sheets, blankets, pillows, lamps...etc. The large boxes are great for breakable items. You can use them for metal items, tools and other garage items. It is important to wrap them in padding such as bubble wrap or newspaper

Extra-Large Boxes: These boxes are normally used for very large but light weight items. You can pack such items as pillows, coats, cushions...etc.

Jumbo Boxes: These boxes are heavy-duty and have a double wall construction for extra safety and durability. These boxes are suitable for large items such as lamps.

Document Boxes: These are the "banker" boxes. They have a cover that fits securely over the box. They are useful for packing important documents. They are easy to carry because they have built in handles.

When packing your moving boxes, it is recommended that you keep the weight at fewer than 50 1bs. Boxes that are made from corrugated cardboard are stronger than regular boxes. They are also better for heavier and fragile items. Moving boxes are tested for durability and strength by a test known as Edge Crush Test (ECT) The ECT is printed on the side of the box flap. Check your boxes for the label. Professional movers use boxes tested for ECT. Long distance moving requires professional moving boxes tested for strength and durability.

Using the right type of boxes and not making them too heavy will ensure that your items will not get crushed or the bottom falls out during the move. Moving boxes come in many sizes, shapes, and weight. Pick the boxes according to your item needs. You can find box companies that will ship directly to your home. If you use a moving company, they usually supply free used boxes. Moving does not have to be a stressful time. A little planning and using the right boxes will make the job much easier.