Packing boxes - strengthening bottom

stragglebod

This will probably seem like a stupid question, but I have no practical skills whatsoever


I'm moving, I'm packing myself to save £ and have bought some boxes. They're the type that come flat, that you pop out into a kind of square tube, then fold the ends over to form the top and bottom.


Obviously unless they're taped shut there's nothing actually holding your stuff into the box. Pick up the box, and the bottom flaps open, everything falls out.


So other than it being slightly trickier to load the box, is there any reason why I can't rotate the box and put a solid side on the bottom and load from the side? And draw my own 'this way up'? The cardboard itself seems pretty sturdy.


I've actually got double the boxes than I need, and they're as tall as they're deep, so I'm thinking of loading one or two with flaps to the side, then loading that into a second box flaps to the bottom. Though that'll stop the outer lid from closing so will stop them from stacking.


Thank you.

hazyjo

You're overcomplicating it.


Get some really strong tape. Seal the box. Pack it normally, careful not to overload it. Stating the obvious, but you will obviously put less things like books in one box as you would Tupperware!


If you're really not confident in packing, it would have been worth getting the professionals to do it for you. I've paid extra for my last few moves and, despite this being a moneysaving site, can honestly say IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY.


I imagine that if you pack a box sideways, there will be even less support and it will just bow.

[Deleted User]

stragglebod wrote: »

Pick up the box, and the bottom flaps open, everything falls out.

Some strong tape will stop your bottom flaps opening up and spilling your contents on the floor.

Perhaps also avoid a high fibre diet.

getmore4less

Heavy stuff in small boxes light stuff in big boxes.

It helps if boxes are full to stop the tops caving in when stacked(heavy at the bottom of the stacks).

stragglebod

Thanks everyone


I'll stick to the way the boxes were designed then.


Just need some superstrong tape now

Doozergirl

...And the right size boxes. One size does not fit all

As said, light stuff in big boxes, heavy stuff in small boxes. There is a definite method to it.

'Book boxes' are really quite small, for example.

Smodlet

Deleted_User wrote: »

Some strong tape will stop your bottom flaps opening up and spilling your contents on the floor.

Perhaps also avoid a high fibre diet.

:T:rotfl::T:rotfl: OMG!

Gaffer tape. Weak, now.

wesleyad

The boxes are designed so there's not actually that much pressure on the tape, hence why there are two pairs of flaps (or rather there should be!). Inside flaps are held in place by the hinges of the outside flaps. Actual transference of weight is mostly along the hinged line, with very little transferred to tape.

-taff

To put the tape on, put one down the middle seam of the outside flaps, then put one either side of this, each one up to where the middle seam is.

Do the same on the two edges, I guarantee you, unless you overload it, nothing will fall out.

Murphybear

Having successfully moved twice in a year here are my thoughts.

Proper boxes designed for the job, not supermarket boxes

Books can be a nightmare especially if you have a lot. They are heavy so don't put too many in a large box. I filled a large box about third/half full with books then topped the box up with stuffed toys or some other lightweight things

If you pack everything yourself then mark the boxes with the contents, this can't be emphasised too much. If you don't you'll be tearing your hair out trying to find things

If you can afford it get the professional movers to pack. Use a good firm, look at the reviews etc. They know what they are doing and have done it dozens/hundreds of times before

If you are a bit cash strapped then get a part pack. Get the professionals to pack the china, glassware, kitchen stuff etc

Good luck with the move

bouicca21

Ther's a reason that brown sticky tape is called packing tape ...