Did you know that over 10% of Americans move each year – roughly 40 million US citizens? If you are planning your relocation soon, know that you’re not alone in this tricky process. Whether you’ve moved before or this is going to be your first time, you should do proper research about packing materials for moving.
If you plan to relocate on your own, one of the crucial questions when it comes to storing your belongings is where to find all the necessary materials. In short, you can obtain everything you need (and even much more) from your mover, but it will cost you some money. Why purchase when you probably know someone from your neighborhood who has recently moved in and has enough packing paper and bubble wrap to give you?
Relocating is a complicated process, but you shouldn’t make it harder than it really is. With high-quality materials and proper time management, you’ll do it efficiently and stress-free. Follow our words of advice on how to be ready when the big day comes and let your relocation days remain a good memory.
Choose the Right Transport Method and Proper Packing Materials for Moving
The type and quantity of supplies you need depend on the type of the move and the amount of stuff you have in your home. However, it’s always a better option to finish the move with some leftover materials than to end up having to get more last-minute. Also, keep in mind that bubble wrap offers more effective protection for fragile and bulky items than paper sheets.
If you don’t want to be bothered by these issues, you can always leave it to your shipping company. They can provide you with various forms of assistance, including packing services and high-quality supplies. But if you’re using professional moving services, getting materials for free might reduce the overall relocation costs. On the other hand, you can rest assured that all of your belongings will be packed carefully to withstand the long-distance move. Also, if you are not in a situation to move all your stuff immediately, you can count on storage units provided by your chosen movers.
Should You Buy, Rent or Get Free Boxes and Other Supplies
If you’re on a tight budget, consider the option of renting some materials from the relocation company rather than buying. It will cost you much less, and after settling into your new home, dealing with piles of supplies and the question of what to do with moving boxes after the relocation won’t be bothering you.
One more useful tip on how to save your money and find almost everything you need is to ask around. Besides boxes and tape, you probably know someone who can lend you a dolly or hand truck. Try to acquire as many materials as you can for free to lower your costs and leave you with more money at the start of your new life.
Depending on Your Move, Pick the Appropriate Materials
If you’re relocating only the essentials, such as clothes, shoes, blankets, and toiletries, you can overlook furniture pads or mattress bags. But handling a piano or a sculpture can be quite troublesome if you don’t have the right materials.
So, before you get down to work, roll up your sleeves, create a home inventory, and start making piles. The best way to get a bigger and brighter picture of the total number of things is to write all of them down. That’s how you will avoid unpleasant surprises at the eleventh hour and find out how many moving boxes you actually need.
Boxes – Different Sizes and Types
Some of the most significant moving supplies are boxes of different sizes. The best rule is to store heavy items in small packages (here’s the answer if you’re wondering how to pack books), and pillows and blankets in large ones. You can use medium boxes with dividers to pack dishes and other fragile items.
If you’re planning to use a second-hand box, keep in mind that its walls and the bottom are not as strong as the new ones, so you might need more tape to reinforce it. If your belongings will stay in storage for a while, perhaps replacing the old box with a brand new one would be a better move – that’s how you can rest assured that your things are fully protected.
Cushioning – Protect Your Fragile Belongings
There are different materials you can use as padding, depending on what you need to pack. With bubble wrap, you can’t go wrong regardless of what you need to protect, but it’s most suitable for wrapping larger and breakable things.
Foam wrap sheets are appropriate for fragile and smaller objects, such as dishes and fine china. Of course, you can use newspapers if you have leftovers, or ask friends to give you some. It’s recommended not to pack fragile and valuable things in them since they have a much lower cushioning ability than proper protective materials. Also, they tend to leave ink marks, so avoid using newspapers when packing delicate items.
Labels, Packing Tapes, and Cargo Straps
To prevent any confusion during unpacking, you should label your boxes. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer writing directly on a box and in your checklist or using a color-coding system. The effect should be the same – to make the unpacking process more manageable. Also, with labels, you can’t mess up. Just place them on multiple sides of each box.
If you think that duct tape is something you can cheap out on, you’re wrong. Only strong and quality materials can finish the job correctly. Tapes with excellent sticking power will save your belongings and your money.
Straps and ropes have the same importance as the sticky tape – they keep your possessions from cracking and breaking. With cargo straps, you can prevent your things from shifting around in your truck. They are perfect for huge pieces of furniture, such as shelves and beds.
What Supplies to Use When Moving Furniture and Appliances
Of course, if you are transporting big pieces, you can’t use paper or bubble wrap to protect them adequately. Then the best solution is to use moving blankets and pads. If you hire professional movers, they will use rubber bands or tape to keep the protective sheet wrapped tightly around the furniture.
One more useful protective method is using a plastic cover for bulky pieces. It has no padding function but keeps your furniture clean and undamaged. Consider using mattress bags and couch covers and taping them. These plastic sheets will make your day after relocating into a new apartment – you’ll realize there’s no dirt and dust to clean.
Don’t Forget About Cleaning Materials
In the end, no matter how carefully you protect your things, you should keep plenty of cleaning supplies on hand, since cleaning after the move is one of the essential steps to settling down happily. Use sturdy, hefty bags, buckets with lids, brooms, gloves. They are handy tools for getting rid of debris and garbage, and you can pack last-minute items in them. Also, don’t forget to prepare enough small plastic bags for screws, bolts, and washers. For cords and cables, the best solution are gallon-sized bags. Of course, don’t forget to label them correctly.
