How to pack a moving pod

Portable moving containers provide a convenient and cost-effective moving solution that combines some of the most advantageous aspects of self-moving and using professional moving services. The containers are dropped off, picked up, and transported by professionals, but they can be kept at one’s disposal for as long as needed. This allows for great flexibility (you can pack and unpack your items at your own pace) and takes away much of the moving stress (you are not pressed for time and you don’t need to deal with driving a large moving truck). Moreover, it’s cheaper than hiring professional movers.

To make the most of this beneficial moving option, however, you need to do some careful research – learn how to move with portable moving containers, determine what size moving container you need, find out how to pack a pod efficiently, etc.

When it comes to packing portable containers for moving, your goal is to optimize the available space and to secure your items well so that they stay safe and sound during transit. To accomplish this, you need to know how to properly pack a moving pod:

Preparing your items

Your first task is to get your belongings ready to be packed in the moving container – your things need to be properly organized and well protected in order to survive the relocation intact and unscathed:

1. Sort out your items and get rid of anything you no longer need or love (See also: How to get rid of unwanted items when moving).
2. Make sure every item you’re going to put in the pod is clean and dry as dust, dirt, and moisture can cause damage to your belongings during the move:

• Moisture can cause swelling, warping, or rotting or may result in mold and mildew over time (your goods will stay in the moving container for quite a while);
• Dust and dirt can cause tiny scratches and other damage to delicate surfaces when your items are moved around in the pod until it is packed tightly and safely enough for transportation;
• Debris can attract pests when the pod is opened and closed (which will happen frequently during the loading and unloading process).

3. Use strong moving boxes of similar sizes that will be easy to stack securely in the pod;
4. Reinforce the bottoms and sides of the boxes with packing tape, provide plenty of cushioning among the items in the cartons, fill the boxes tightly (so they don’t cave in when stacked on top of one another), and seal them well. Be careful not to make the cartons too heavy and make sure you label them clearly with their contents and appropriate handling instructions (See also: How to pack boxes for moving).
5. Wrap fragile items in packing paper and bubble wrap and cushion them well in the moving boxes (See also: How to pack fragile items for moving).
6. Wrap furniture, appliances, and other larger household items in moving blankets, bubble wrap, and/or plastic wrap to protect them against dust, dirt, and damage during transit. Disassemble larger furniture pieces to make them easier to load in the pod and to reduce the risk of damage (See also: How to pack furniture for moving).

Check our expert packing tips for more details on how to provide the best possible protection to your items during a move.

How to pack a pod container for moving

Once you’ve prepared your items, you can start packing the moving container. Keep in mind though that when loading a pod, you’re going to need some essential moving equipment and adequate protective materials:

• A dolly and furniture sliders – for safely taking heavy items from your home into the moving container;
• Elastic straps, ratchet straps, and/or ropes – for securing items in the pod;
• Moving blankets and large pieces of cardboard – for extra protection to your items in the moving container.

So, make sure you have these helpful things at hand and get down to work:

1. Create layers – Pack your items from floor to ceiling, starting from the back end of the container and making wall-like layers (tiers). Work on one layer at a time, so you can pack each section of the pod to its full potential without having to climb over your belongings;
2. Distribute the weight evenly throughout the pod – Place your furniture, appliances, heavy boxes, etc. so the weight is balanced from end to end and from side to side in the moving container (if you place your fridge on one side of the pod, place the washer – or another piece of similar weight – on the other side);
3. Pack items tight to prevent them from shifting and/or toppling over during transit;
4. Secure your belongings well – Tie down larger items individually and use a ratchet strap or rope to secure every layer as soon as you finish it (all portable moving containers have hooks and anchors to hold the ropes). Use a zigzag pattern or create an “X” with the ropes or straps to keep the entire section in place and prevent the items in it from bumping into or rubbing against items from another layer.

How to pack a pod efficiently

Knowing how to load a pod correctly is key for the success of your relocation endeavor, but knowing how to do it efficiently is what will ensure your smooth and stress-free moving experience.

Here is how to load a moving container in an organized and efficient manner:

Pack the moving container in the right order

Make a plan and pack your pod in a logical way:

• Put items you won’t need for the first couple of weeks after the move in the back of the container and items you will need immediately after arrival at the front. It is a good idea to load guest room furniture, things you had stored in your garage or basement, boxes filled with out-of-season items, and other rarely used items first and pack bathroom items and kitchen items, clothing and bedding, and other essentials last (near the door) so they’re the first to come out of the container at your new home;
• Load your largest and heaviest items first (make sure you leave enough space so you can still take smaller items and boxes to the back of the container);
• Put heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top of them;
• Leave some space (4 to 6 inches) between your stuff and the door of the pod, so it can be easily opened (secure the last tier at the front of the container with extra care to make sure the items from it don’t shift or topple down and block the door during the transportation).

Maximize the available space

The best way to pack a moving pod is to pack it as tightly as possible – this will not only increase your packing efficiency but will also provide stability and reduce the risk of damage to your belongings:

• Pack the pod from floor to ceiling to optimize the vertical space in the container. If there’s space between the top of the boxes and the ceiling, place some soft items over the cartons (such as bags of clothing or linens) or find thin items that will fit the space (like golf clubs and fishing rod, folding chairs or framed photos, etc.). Wrap them in blankets or bubble wrap to make the fit even tighter;
• Fill any empty spaces in the pod to both maximize the space and provide stability (the tighter you pack your items, the less they will move around during the move and the smaller the risk of damage will be). Be sure to fill the space between larger items with smaller boxes and to fill any small gaps between the items in a tier with soft, malleable items like pillows, linen, bags of clothing, stuffed animals, etc.;
• Stack boxes of uniform sizes on top of one another to save space and to ensure a tight fit (be sure to place heavier boxes on the bottom and do not stack boxes containing fragile items under other boxes);
• Put some heavy boxes in the cavities underneath desks, chairs, tables and other similar pieces to optimize the space and help keep the furniture in place.

Bonus tips for packing a moving pod

As with many other things, it’s the little things that make the big difference when moving with portable moving containers – here are a few extra tips on how to pack a pod to ensure that every small detail has been properly taken care of:

• Before you start loading the pod, line the bottom of the unit with moving blankets for extra protection against vibrations;
• Use moving blankets and large pieces of cardboard to provide cushioning between the items in the moving container;
• Put longer items (sofas, headboards, etc.) along the sides of the pod and keep them upright to optimize space;
• Avoid placing heavy items on top of thin-legged furniture and upholstered pieces;
• Keep the load level even – if your items don’t reach the top of the pod, try to maintain a consistent gap between the tiers and the ceiling (for greater stability);
• Place a mattress (packed in a specialized mattress bag) or a large sheet of cardboard (you can tape together several large, flattened boxes) vertically against your items in the last section to create a barrier between your things and the door of the pod – that will help prevent your belongings from falling and jamming the door closed;
• Put blankets or pieces of cardboard over your items at the top of the pod to protect your things from direct sunlight (especially if the container has a plastic, translucent roof). The moving container will stay outside for a couple of weeks or so and will be exposed to the heat of the sun – this might cause damage to your items unless they’re well protected;
• Know what not to pack in a pod – items that are not allowed to be transported in a moving container for safety reasons (such as liquids, hazardous materials, etc.), delicate items that can be damaged by heat (artwork, sensitive electronics, etc.), and valuables and essentials (jewelry, items of high sentimental value, important documents, survival box, etc.) that should travel with you (See also: Things to always move yourself);
• Use moisture absorbers to help prevent mold, mildew, and odors in the moving container;
• Make sure your pod is locked when you’re not using it;
• Get proper insurance for your belongings – just to be on the safe side.

One final piece of advice – use proper lifting techniques and get help (hire moving labor or ask friends to give you a hand) when packing your belongings in the moving pod to prevent injuries and accidents during your move.