How to Pack a Moving Tote

Q: Can I mix rooms in one tote?

You can, but it slows down unpacking. One room per tote is the faster approach. Label the lid — not the side — since lids face up when totes are stacked in the truck.

Short answer: Pack heavy items on the bottom, fill gaps with soft goods, and close the lid flat. ToteMove totes are 24 × 20 × 12 inches and hold up to 60 lbs. A tote of books hits 55 lbs fast. A tote of clothes runs 10 to 15. Keep one tote aside for move-day essentials and load it last onto the truck.

Start with the bottom layer

Dense, heavy items go on the bottom: books, canned goods, small appliances, tools, dishware. Fill gaps in the bottom layer with rolled socks, dish towels, or clothing before you add anything on top. A loose bottom layer lets everything shift in transit.

One room per tote makes unpacking faster. Label the lid with a marker. Not the side — lids face up when totes stack in the truck.

Fragile items

Plates go in vertically, not flat. They break when stacked horizontal because the full weight of the stack lands on the plate below. Stand them on edge, separated by folded kitchen towels or clothing. Pack tightly enough that nothing shifts when you shake the tote.

Glasses go rim-down, cushioned with clothing. Never mix fragile items with heavy ones in the same tote. Heavy items break fragile ones when the truck hits a bump.

You do not need bubble wrap if you pack tightly. Breakage happens when items have room to move. Fill every gap with soft material and the tote becomes its own padding.

Room-by-room breakdown

Room	What to pack first	What to pack last
Kitchen	Pantry items, small appliances, cookware	Kettle, coffee maker, cutting board
Bedroom	Out-of-season clothes, books, decor	Daily-use clothes, chargers, bedding
Bathroom	Spare toiletries, towels, medicine cabinet	Daily toiletries, toilet paper, shower supplies
Living room	Books, picture frames, decor, games	Remote controls, cables, items used daily
Garage / storage	Tools, hardware, seasonal items	Anything still in use before move day

The kitchen takes more totes than any other room

Walk through your kitchen and count: pantry shelves, pots and pans, small appliances, dishware, glassware, utensils. The pantry alone fills 3 to 5 totes. Most people start packing the kitchen the weekend of their move and run short on time and totes. Start it two weeks out.

The room people forget

Basements and storage rooms. Walk through yours before you decide on a package size. A basement full of tools, holiday decorations, and sports gear can add 10 to 15 totes you did not count. If you are unsure, go up a package size. The price difference between packages is $30 to $40. Running short on pack day costs more in stress.

What goes in last

Set aside one tote for essentials. Pack it last. Load it last onto the truck. Pull it off first at the new place.

What goes in it: kettle, coffee maker, toilet paper, soap, toothbrush, phone charger, a change of clothes for everyone, and anything else you will need before the first box is unpacked.

At 9pm on move day, this tote is the only thing that matters.

Fill totes to the top

A tote filled to the brim with the lid closing flat stacks cleanly and holds its shape in the truck. A half-full tote collapses under the weight of totes stacked on top. Fill every tote completely, use clothing or linens to top up gaps, and check that the lid closes without forcing it.

If the lid will not close flat, remove one item. If there is space at the top, add more.

What not to put in a tote

Skip these entirely:

Liquids that are not fully sealed
Paint cans
Aerosols
Car batteries or motor oil
Firearms or ammunition
Anything you would not want sealed in plastic in a truck

These do not belong in the moving truck either, but especially not in sealed plastic totes stacked with your kitchen and clothing.

Weight check

Lift each tote before you close it. If you cannot lift it comfortably with both hands, it is too heavy. Remove a few items and redistribute. A tote that requires two people to carry slows the move and risks injury on stairs.

Books are the most common culprit. Pack books in smaller amounts and fill the rest of the tote with lighter items.

Questions

How heavy should a moving tote be?

ToteMove totes hold up to 60 lbs, but 60 lbs is a lot to carry up stairs. For totes packed with books, tools, or dishware, aim for 40 to 45 lbs. Totes packed with clothes or linens will be well under the limit regardless. When in doubt, lift it before closing it.

Do plates need bubble wrap in a moving tote?

Not if you pack them vertically and fill all gaps. Plates break when they have room to shift. Pack them standing on edge, separated by folded dish towels or clothing, and fill the tote tightly enough that nothing moves when you shake it. Bubble wrap helps with very fragile items like wine glasses, but it is not necessary for standard dishware.

Can I mix rooms in one tote?

You can, but it slows unpacking. One room per tote is faster. Label the lid with a marker — not the side — since lids face up when totes are stacked in the truck.

What should I pack last?

Kettle, coffee maker, toiletries, toilet paper, phone charger, and a change of clothes. Pack these into one tote, load it last onto the truck, and pull it off first at the new place. You will need it before anything else is unpacked.

Should I fill totes all the way to the top?

Yes. A tote filled to the top with the lid closing flat stacks cleanly and stays stable in the truck. A half-full tote can collapse under weight when stacked. Fill to the brim, use clothing or linens to fill gaps, and make sure the lid closes without forcing it.

How to pack a moving tote