I messed up my pillow packing job last year and paid for it with a stiff neck for a week. Trust me, you don’t want that. After helping my sister move across Memphis last month, I picked up some tricks from her Memphis movers that would’ve saved me profound grief. Here’s what works when packing pillows – nobody wants to sleep on flattened, musty pillows after a long moving day.
Selecting the Right Packing Materials
Trash bags are tempting but terrible for pillows. I tried it once and pulled out pillows that smelled like the inside of my car trunk. Grab medium boxes instead – they protect without squishing. I wrap my good pillows in clean t-shirts or packing paper first (keeps the drool stains private, ha). My sister puts her fancy decorative pillows in those dry cleaning bags, which is pretty clever.
For those giant couch cushions? Vacuum bags are your only hope. Learned that one after wasting half my U-Haul space on what’s air wrapped in fabric. Write what’s inside on the box with big letters – you won’t remember later when you’re dead tired.
Folding and Rolling Techniques
Here’s my no-nonsense approach:
- Fold in Half: Just fold it once down the middle.
- Roll Tightly: Roll it up like you’re mad at it. Tight rolls save tons of space.
- Secure with Straps: Hair ties work perfectly. I stole my girlfriend’s scrunchies last time.
- Stack Strategically: Stand them up in the box like books, not pancakes. Fits way more.
Utilizing Vacuum Storage Bags
My buddy Pete swears by vacuum bags, so I tried them for our apartment move. Game-changer. You stuff pillows in, seal it up, then suck out air with your vacuum. Honestly, they shrink to a third of their size – kinda satisfying to watch. Just make sure you seal them right. My first attempt leaked air overnight and expanded, opening my taped box. Now I double-check the seal and slap duct tape over the valve for good measure. Label them clearly because once vacuum-sealed, every bag looks identical.
Packing Pillows in Boxes
Boxes beat bags for pillows every time. Here’s my system:
- Choose the Right Box Size: Medium U-Haul boxes perfectly fit 4-6 pillows.
- Use Clean Packing Paper: Line the bottom first – keep dirt and box dust off your face later.
- Properly Arrange Pillows: Stand them up vertically. My mom taught me this trick and it works.
- Fill Empty Spaces: Stuff socks in the gaps. Bonus: Pack your socks too!
Labeling and Organizing for Easy Unpacking
Mark pillow boxes with “OPEN FIRST” and “BEDROOM” in giant letters. You’ll thank yourself at 11 PM when you’re exhausted and want to face-plant somewhere soft. I take quick phone pics of what’s in each box now because I’ve spent too many nights digging through mystery boxes. Pack pillows and sheets last so they come off the truck first. Nothing beats having your bed ready that first night when everything else is chaos.
Want your move to suck less? Give our team a shout for a quote. We’ll ensure your pillows (and everything else) survive the journey without becoming sad, flat versions of themselves!
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