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Quick answer: declutter before you pack, then pack room by room starting with the items you use least. Use strong boxes or plastic crates, put heavy things in small boxes and light things in large ones, wrap fragile items individually and fill every gap so nothing moves. Label each box with its room and contents, and mark fragile boxes clearly. Keep an essentials box and your valuables with you on moving day.
Our crews have packed more than 1,000 homes and offices since 2019. These are the methods they use, so you can pack yourself or know what to expect from a professional packing service.
Step 1: Declutter before you pack
Decluttering is the quickest way to make a move cheaper and easier: everything you get rid of is one less thing to pack, carry and pay to move. Start two to three weeks before the move.
- Go room by room and sort everything into keep, sell, donate and throw away.
- Be honest about clothes, shoes and kitchen items you have not used in a year.
- Sell furniture that will not fit the new home, and give away what does not sell.
- Use up food, cleaning products and toiletries instead of packing them.
- Shred old papers you no longer need, and keep important documents in one folder.
Step 2: Get the right packing materials
| Material | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Strong boxes or plastic crates | Books, kitchen items, toys and general items |
| Wardrobe boxes | Clothes on hangers |
| Bubble wrap and packing paper | Glassware, plates, ornaments and electronics |
| Stretch film | Furniture, drawers and doors, to keep them closed and clean |
| Moving blankets and padding | Wooden furniture, TVs, mirrors and appliances |
| Tape, markers and labels | Sealing boxes and marking room and contents |
A professional packing service brings all of this with them, so you do not need to buy anything.
Step 3: Pack room by room
- Kitchen. Wrap plates and glasses one at a time and stand plates on their edge. Pack pots and pans together, and seal spices and liquids in bags.
- Bedrooms. Leave clothes on hangers in wardrobe boxes, pack bedding in bags, and tape bolts from dismantled beds in a labelled bag to the frame.
- Living room. Photograph cable connections, then pack TVs in their original box or wrap them in blankets. Wrap remote controls with their device.
- Bathroom. Close bottles tightly and seal them in plastic bags. Keep medication in your essentials box.
- Children’s rooms. Pack a box of favourite toys and bedding to open first, so children settle quickly.
- Store and garage. Drain fuel from generators and mowers, and wrap sharp tools.
How to pack fragile items
- Wrap each item separately in bubble wrap or paper. Never stack unwrapped glass.
- Line the box with crumpled paper or towels before you put anything in.
- Put the heaviest fragile items at the bottom and the lightest at the top.
- Fill every gap so nothing shifts when you gently shake the box.
- Pack glasses and bottles upright and plates on their edge, like records.
- Protect mirrors and artwork with cardboard corners and padding, and move them standing up.
- Label the box “Fragile – this way up” on the top and sides.
For electronics, use the original packaging if you still have it. If not, wrap them in anti-static bubble wrap and blankets, and keep laptops and hard drives with you.
Step 4: Label everything
- Write the room and a short list of contents on the top and one side of every box.
- Use a colour or number for each room, and put the same sign on the door of that room in the new home.
- Number your boxes and keep a simple list, so you know if anything is missing.
- Mark boxes you need first, such as kitchen essentials and bedding.
Your essentials box
Pack one box or bag that travels with you, not in the truck: documents, cash, phone and laptop chargers, medication, toiletries, a change of clothes, a kettle, mugs, snacks, toilet paper, a torch and basic tools.
Professional packing and unpacking
If you are short of time, a professional packing service packs your whole home in a day or two, using the right materials for every item, and then unpacks and sets up at the new home. It also means fragile items are packed by the people responsible for moving them. Our moving cost guide explains how packing affects the price, and the house moving checklist shows when to start packing each room.
Frequently asked questions
Start decluttering two to three weeks before the move and packing about one to two weeks before. Pack the items you use least first and leave daily essentials until the last day.
Wrap each piece separately, stand plates on their edge, pack glasses upright, line and fill the box with paper or towels, and mark it as fragile.
Empty drawers that hold heavy or fragile items. Light items such as clothes can stay in drawers if the furniture is wrapped in stretch film to keep the drawers closed.
Use the original box if you have it. If not, wrap the screen in a blanket and bubble wrap, protect the corners, and move it standing upright.
Professional movers bring boxes, crates, bubble wrap, stretch film and padding. Check whether they are included in your quote.
Want us to pack for you?
Nairobi Movers offers full packing and unpacking with every house moving and office moving job, with all materials supplied. Call 0724 225 178 or WhatsApp us to book a free survey.