How to Pack a Moving Tote Like a Pro (And Actually Find Everything After)

You've got your totes. You've got a move date. Now what?

Packing is one of those things that seems straightforward until you're standing in your new place surrounded by totes and realizing you have no idea which one has the coffee maker. A little strategy goes a long way — here's how to pack smart so unpacking doesn't feel like a treasure hunt.

Start with a System Before You Start Packing

The biggest mistake people make is packing as they go without a plan. Before you touch a single item, decide how you're organizing — and stick to it. The most effective approach is simple: one room, one tote. Don't mix the kitchen with the living room, and don't throw random items together just to fill space.

Label Everything — and Label It Well

Every tote rental comes with a dry erase marker, so labeling is already taken care of — no hunting for a Sharpie. Write directly on the tote, and when you're done it wipes right off. Label on the top and on at least one side. Why both? Because once totes are stacked, you can only see the side. A label that only lives on top becomes useless the moment someone stacks another tote on it.

Be specific. "Kitchen" is fine. "Kitchen — pots, pans, small appliances" is better. The more detail, the faster you'll unpack.

Pack Heavy Items First, Lighter Items on Top

Totes can hold up to 65 lbs, but that doesn't mean you should pack them to the limit. A tote that's too heavy is hard to carry and harder on your back. A good rule of thumb: heavy items like books, dishes, and small appliances go in first at the bottom, with lighter items layered on top.

Also — don't leave empty space. Fill gaps with soft items like towels, linens, or clothing. It protects breakables and makes better use of every tote.

Wrap Fragile Items Simply

You don't need fancy packing paper. Dish towels, t-shirts, and socks work great for wrapping glasses and fragile items. It saves money on supplies and means you're packing two things at once.

Pack an "Open First" Tote

This is the most important tote of your whole move. Before you pack anything else, set aside one tote for the things you'll need in the first 24 hours — toiletries, a phone charger, a change of clothes, paper towels, a trash bag, and anything else you can't function without. Load this one last so it comes off first.

Unload by Room at Your New Place

When the totes arrive at your new home, direct them to the right rooms immediately — don't just stack everything in the living room to sort later. It takes an extra five minutes up front and saves hours of hauling things around after the fact.

Schedule Your Pickup and You're Done

Once you're unpacked, we'll come grab everything on your scheduled pickup date — no breaking down boxes, no hauling cardboard to the curb. And if you finish early? Just let us know and we'll do our best to get them sooner. That's the part we handle.