What Are the Best Packing Materials For Moving?

One of the first things you may think about when facing a move is where you’ll get all your packing materials as well as which types you will need. It’s critical to do a good packing job so your items end up at the new house unscathed.

When considering which protective materials you should use, this will really depend on what items you have as well as your preferred packing method.

Packing Paper

This is the most common wrapping material, after cardboard boxes. Not only is it soft and smooth, it provides a gentle cushion for all surfaces it comes into contact with. Plus, it’s acid-free and ink-free, which means your delicate items and clothing won’t get stained. It works equally well for soft items as it does for fragile items, such as glass, crystal, china, fine art and electronics.

Because it’s very pliable, it can wrap securely around virtually any item to protect it against scratches, dirt and dust. And because the paper sheets are thin, they don’t take up a lot of space. Best of all, it’s relatively cheap to buy and it is biodegradable so it can be recycled later.

Bubble Wrap

This is another staple of moving supplies, especially when it comes to wrapping valuables. Comprised of air-filled bubbles, bubble wrap provides stellar protection against the shocks and vibrations that can come with traveling on a moving truck. The bubble wraps shield the item from all kinds of impacts.

It comes in many forms, such as sheets or envelopes, as well as sizes, such as small bubbles and large bubbles. This material is lightweight so it won’t weigh down your boxes. It’s very versatile, too, as it conforms to pretty much any shape. You can also reuse it several times over.

Packing Foam

This high-quality protective material also keeps your valuables safe, giving you excellent shock absorption and thermal insulation. It’s great for protecting jewelry, electronics, artwork, and other sensitive items. This material is non-abrasive and is available in several forms, such as sheets, pouches, rolls, and even corner guards.

It also happens to be strong and resilient, so you can even use it to protect heavier items that could crush alternatives like packing peanuts and bubble wrap.

Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap offers many more benefits than mere paper. You can use it on large items to keep dust, dirt, and moisture out, secure wrappings, secure furniture doors and drawers, bundle like items together, and even prevent spills.

It’s inexpensive, recyclable and safe for most items. Even though it sticks to itself, it won’t stick to other surfaces and leave a residue behind. Don’t use it directly on wood or leather because moisture can get trapped and damage the finish.

Cardboard

The Holy Grail of packing: cardboard comes in many forms, from boxes to sheets. You can use cardboard to protect screens, mirrors, and glass. Just cut out a piece to match the size of your item, place it on the item, and secure with painter’s tape.

Ultimately, the packing material you choose will depend on what you’re packing at the moment. It’s a good idea to pick up all of these, as each one serves a different purpose.