Updated Oct 10, 2022
Updated Oct 10, 2022
Your big move is upon you, and you’re getting ready to pack up your belongings and take the plunge. So, what kind of packaging materials are the best for keeping your belongings safe?
Many of us consider what kind of packaging materials to use when moving our belongings, but we may be misusing them, which can lead to more broken belongings. Few things are more frustrating than opening a box with your favorite dishes and finding several pieces smashed. To help you avoid this, we’ve put together the following list of the seven best packaging materials and how to use them.
Packing paper, also known as wrapping paper, is one of the most popular packaging materials for novices and experts alike. It’s easy to use, affordable, and a more eco-friendly option because it’s biodegradable.
Some people also use newspapers in place of packing paper when they are packing their belongings. However, you’ll want to keep in mind that newspaper is thinner than packing paper and can bleed ink onto your belongings. You don’t want your nice white dishes to have dark ink marks from the newspaper.
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Trash bags can be a quick packaging solution for collecting and packing items that don’t need to be delicately packed.
Consider using trash bags for items like clothes, linens, and towels. These linen-filled trash bags make for great cushions in boxes or when you’re packing up a moving pod or truck. We also recommend placing any liquids, like shampoos, alcohol, vinegar, or body wash, in trash bags or Ziploc bags to prevent them from spilling and ruining other items during your move.
When you reach your new home, they can easily be reused as trash bags for the kitchen or for cleaning up debris.
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Clothing is an excellent packaging material that you can use during your move. Not only will you kill two birds with one stone by packing your clothing and other items together, but you’ll save money by not needing to purchase additional packaging materials.
Clothing is an affordable and eco-friendly packaging material that we strongly recommend using. However, you should skip using thin or delicate clothing to pack your belongings because the move could ruin your clothing. Stick with thick sweaters, hoodies, sweatpants, and other clothing items that can hold up during the move.
The biggest downside to using clothing to pack items is that you’ll need more boxes because clothing takes up more space than other packing materials.
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Bubble wrap is excellent for wrapping fragile items, such as dishes, mirrors, and pictures. However, you must combine it with other packing materials, such as packing peanuts or packing paper, which will fill in the gaps and remaining spaces in your boxes. If you only use bubble wrap, you’re liable to have items shift when you’re moving, resulting in breakage.
Unfortunately, bubble wrap is not a sustainable packing material because it’s hard to save and reuse. Another downside is that it can be very expensive, so we recommend saving bubble wrap for your most fragile items. If you have a few months before your move, consider keeping bubble wrap and other packing supplies from any online shopping you do.
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Bubble wrap usually comes in rolls and will vary with small to large bubbles. Most of the time, bubble wrap is serrated every 12 inches so that you can tear it quickly. We recommend small bubble wrap for your fragile items.
Shredded paper, also called crinkle paper, is easy to pack with and a mostly eco-friendly packing choice. One of the most significant benefits of shredded paper is that it’s lightweight, so it will add very little weight to your boxes when you’re packing your items. We particularly like using shredded paper between heavy items to make the box more manageable to move.
Shredded paper comes in many sizes and colors. If you have time before moving, consider saving any shredded paper you may receive in packages. You can also make your own shredded paper by tearing up old newspapers, papers, and magazines.
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Packing peanuts are undoubtedly the most frustrating packaging material when you are unboxing your belongings later on. However, they are unmatched with their ability to fill in every nook and cranny, protecting your valuables from harm during the moving process.
In addition to this, they protect items from humidity because they will absorb most of the moisture. This feature makes them great for packing electronics and metal items, which are at a higher risk of damage in humid weather. Other heavier items, like auto parts or easily scratched kitchenware, can benefit from packing peanuts’ volume and size.
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Plastic stretch wrap is similar to Saran wrap but comes in various widths and thicknesses so that you can quickly wrap your furniture or more oversized items.
We recommend using plastic wrap to tightly wrap pallets or furniture with drawers, such as your nightstand or dresser. While plastic stretch wrap is best known for covering furniture with drawers, you can use it for packing almost anything. It’s also helpful for securing organizers and trays, like cutlery trays, makeup trays, and utensil trays, so you don’t have to remove everything in the tray for your move.
If you use plastic stretch wrap to wrap small breakable items, make sure that you use it alongside other packaging materials, like packing peanuts. Don’t place items loosely in a box with only plastic wrap to protect them. Otherwise, you’ll end up with broken items.
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With the suitable packaging materials and know-how, you can neatly pack your belongings up and rest easy knowing that they are properly secured and will arrive unbroken to your new home.
Before you pack your belongings, take a quick inventory of your items. Create a list with everything you’re moving to double-check that everything makes it to your new home. Then begin collecting boxes and moving containers before choosing what packaging materials you’ll need for which items. Consider your budget for the move. If you are on a tight budget, avoid expensive packing materials, like bubble wrap, or use it sparingly for delicate items. Use items you have on hand, like thick clothing or blankets, to pad your boxes and wrap your belongings.
If you have some time before your move, stockpile packaging materials from online shopping or Amazon orders. Consider asking your local UPS or FedEx if they have any boxes or packaging materials they’re getting rid of.
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