Moving Tips: How to Pack Liquids To Avoid Spills and Messes During a Move

• November 30, 2020
• Bill Chen

Last updated on October 30, 2023

Moving can be a fine balancing act akin to plate spinning in the circus or street performers. One wrong step and you could have broken your best china. A big chunk of this stress can be alleviated by using the best removalists Sydney North Shore has to offer, however, what about moving all those pesky liquids? We’ve all been on weekends away or overseas trips only to open our suitcases that have sprung a leak or become wet. To avoid this happening to you during your house move, read on. 

Do a Stocktake of your Liquids

Before you do anything else, work out what liquids you have, how much of them you have, and what type of containers they are in. Every liquid you have has the potential to leak or cause damage – for example, if left for too long leaking into a cardboard moving box, the structure of the box could be compromised and collapse as you go to pick it up out of the boot… resulting once again in your best china crashing to the driveway next to your feet.

Bear in mind that some liquids will not be allowed to travel in the truck, whether it’s through your Bondi removals company or one you’ve hired yourself. Once you’ve done your stock take, then you can plan out when and where to move them – or whether they come with you at all. 

Move only what is strictly necessary to move

Some liquids are flammable, corrosive or dangerous in other ways. These may be better off staying put or being disposed of responsibly. If you’re wondering what to get rid of, I say chuck it if it fits into the following 4 categories:

• Almost empty anyway
• Damaged container
• Not been used in over 18 months
• Past expiry

Remember, re-homing or culling your belongings is another of the best ways to save on moving – both time and money. I find the liquids that get culled most frequently when moving to be kitchen or bathroom cleaning liquids or cooking sauces anyway. 

Pack them together

This way, if any of them does still spring a leak, it won’t damage other items of yours! Many suggest using garbage bags, however, I don’t like this approach as it allows for the bottles to flop around more when carrying. Repurposing supermarket plastic bags works perfectly, as you can place the bottles and containers more upright, and tighter so that they are less likely to fall around. 

Wrap the container opening with Plastic Wrap

Have you ever ordered takeaway pho or laksa? When you get the takeaway container, usually it has been wrapped with cling wrap and then had the lid placed back over the top to prevent spillage. This is an excellent method and can even work wonders for your liquids during the move! Get some plastic wrap, as cling wrap may not be enough, and use this same method to add an extra layer of protection for your liquids!

Label Clearly

OK, so you’ve worked out what liquids can be transported and the removalists are coming to pack them onto their truck. Make sure to label them very clearly for them which has the liquids, you might want to try something catchy like: “CAUTION: LIQUIDS” so that they can take that extra care in both carrying to/ from the truck and also where on the truck to pack so there’s minimal sloshing!

By following these steps, you can ensure that your boxes will be packed correctly, helping to prevent any damage to your belongings during transit. Additionally, it is essential to consider hiring professional removalists like Bill Removalists Sydney to assist with the move, as they have the experience and equipment needed to move your possessions safely and efficiently. By taking these measures, you can be confident that your boxes will arrive at your new home dry and intact, allowing for a stress-free unpacking experience.

Happy moving!