What packing materials should you use?

Moving house is a very complex task, that requires a lot of planning. Interestingly, packing materials and packing services are part of the moving process that people often neglect. Somehow we always think that some cardboard boxes are enough for packing our household. Well, we couldn’t be more wrong. There are plenty of packing supplies you need to purchase in order to pack your belongings properly. Let’s see what packing materials you should use.

Right tools- easy job

Packing and moving can be a huge task. But just like with any other job, it suddenly becomes easier with the right tools. Nowadays, there are entire stores dedicated to selling different types of supplies. Choosing the right packing materials can be crucial for protecting your belongings during the move.

Where to get packing supplies?

You can purchase packing supplies online, from a local moving company, at a mail service store, or from an office supply outlet. Take the time to compare prices and find special deals and discounts. Make sure you have all the specialty materials for some delicate and valuable items. Also, you can ask your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers if they have any packing supplies in good condition that you can use. You can even get some clean boxes for free from local businesses or use the available containers from your home. You can use suitcases, bags, laundry baskets, buckets which you will take with you anyway. Professional wrapping and padding materials can be substituted with old towels and newspapers. But have in mind that none of them will provide as good protection as cushioning foam, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and other specialized goods.

Packing materials checklist

• You need to get boxes of various sizes. Than include small, medium, large, extra large, and divided boxes.

• Don’t forget the tape. Shipping, duct tape, masking tape, and some tape dispensers should do the job.

• A good pair of scissors.

• You will need some box cutters.

• Sticker labels. 

• Permanent markers for labeling.

• Packing materials, such as bubble wrap, packing paper, and newsprint. Your old linens, towels and some eco-friendly substitute is also a solution.

• If you want to protect your hands, get some gloves.

• Rope, twine, tie-downs, and bungee cords are great for fixing and keeping boxes and furniture in place.

• Old blankets are perfect for protecting furniture, mirrors and your TV.

• Getting felt pads will protect the floors while moving large furniture.

  

Go, go green

Purchasing eco-friendly packing materials is probably the road less traveled. But going green is not just a great thing to do for our planet. It could also save you some money and provide a permanent solution for temporary tasks. And you know what? You get to feel good about yourself. And you deserve it. And a great way to start your eco-journey is to declutter your home before packing. The items you don’t use, you can donate and recycle. The things you want to keep, but have no space for at home, you can store at self-storage in Columbus, Ohio. It’s a great solution for smaller homes and getting extra space.

Think outside the box

• Box rental companies offer plastic bins for rent. You just share how many rooms that you need to pack up and they drop off the bins at your doorstep. After the move, they pick the bins up at the new location. This is good for the environment and saves time as well.
• There are plenty of places where you can get used boxes. Grocery stores generally have fruit boxes in the back that you can also ask for free. If these options don’t work, look into ordering used boxes online. Prices are much lower than for the new ones. Also, ask your friends and family, maybe they can help.
• Moving is the perfect time to organize your garage, storage unit, or shed. Think about purchasing storage bins from recycled plastic that you can use long term. After the move, you can use them to organize your things and store them.

Eco-friendly packing materials

Bubble wrap is probably the most important packing material. But unfortunately, it is also very hard for disposal and recycling. Luckily, there ate alternatives. The alternative is not as fun as popping bubble wrap, I admit you that. But it’s a better choice for green living. Try the green wrap, paper shred, and corrugated bubble wrap instead. These paper-based products provide the cushioning your fragile items need but are made from recycled materials. Instead of their plastic predecessors, biodegradable packing peanuts are made from wheat or corn starch. They decompose in water and leave no toxic wastes behind.

Specialty moving boxes

If you are moving some artwork and other fragile items, you will probably need specialty moving boxes. You can purchase them from stores or online. Artwork and mirror boxes are stronger and shaped to fit, and most come with frame protectors. You need frame protectors to secure the corners of the paintings, mirrors and other fragile items. This way, you will prevent damage during the move. And purchasing corrugated cardboard may help protect glass surfaces and keep items separated while in transit.

 

Hire the professionals

Getting the professional help is always a good idea. When you hire professional movers, you can just sit back and enjoy your move without lifting a finger. Nowadays, moving companies offer professional packing services and they also provide packing materials. Therefore, you will not have to worry about purchasing packing supplies and protecting your belongings. They will do that for you. But make sure you share all the necessary information about your household so that they can provide adequate service and supplies.

Hopefully, this little manual for packing materials will help you at least to decide what you need. There are so much packing supplies nowadays, that is perfectly understandable that you feel overwhelmed thinking about them. Making a list helps a lot, as well as getting some advice or recommendation from your friends and family. Good luck!