Packing and Organizing Tips for Moving and Storage

Whether you're moving to a new home or getting ready to store your belongings at Store In A Wink, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are some of our favorite tried-and-true packing and organizing tips to make your move or storage experience as smooth as possible! 📦

Label Everything — And Stick With It! We can't stress this one enough. Label every single box before it goes into your storage unit or moving truck. You'll be really sad when you can't find your beloved toaster at your new apartment because it ended up in an unlabeled box shoved in the back of your 10x15 unit! Trust us — future you will be very grateful for the extra two seconds it takes to grab a marker.

Don't Overload Your Boxes It's surprisingly easy to pack a box too heavy. When you go to pick it up, you risk hurting yourself or breaking through the bottom of the box entirely. A good rule of thumb — if you can't lift it comfortably with both hands, it's too heavy. Redistribute to a smaller box or add some lighter items to balance the weight.

Use the Right Tape Not all tape is created equal! We always recommend using brown paper box tape (kraft tape) over standard clear plastic tape. While it costs a little more, the adhesive is designed specifically for cardboard and holds up beautifully in storage. Plus, it tears by hand easily, saving you from wrestling with scissors or loud plastic tape guns. Avoid using thin office tape or duct tape—they just won't hold when things get heavy or the temperature changes!

Don't Just Go With the Cheapest Boxes Cheap boxes might seem like a smart move upfront, but they're not always the right choice. Always check how much weight a box is rated to hold before you pack it — an overloaded cheap box will give out at the worst possible moment. Double-walled boxes are worth the extra cost for heavier items. And here's a pro tip — check with your local U-Haul center to see if they have used boxes available, or if they'll take your used boxes back when you're done. It saves money AND keeps boxes out of the landfill!

Always Use a Mattress Cover Please, please use a mattress cover when storing or moving a mattress. It keeps your mattress free of dust, dirt, and moisture and is extremely affordable for something you sleep on every single night. You can find mattress bags at most moving supply stores or online for just a few dollars — totally worth it!

One More Bonus Tip — Plan Your Storage Unit Like a Room When loading your storage unit at Store In A Wink, think about what you'll need to access most often and keep it near the front. Put heavy items on the bottom, lighter boxes on top, and leave a small aisle down the middle so you're not unpacking everything just to find one thing. A little planning upfront saves a lot of frustration later!

At Store In A Wink, we're here to make storing and moving as easy as possible for our customers in Park City, North Wichita, Wichita Heights, Kechi, Valley Center, Bel Aire, and Maize. Have questions about which unit size is right for your move? Give Wendy a call at (316) 260-9465 or text her at (316) 444-0139. We're always happy to help! 😊