Packing and moving can be a huge task, but just like with any big job, it suddenly becomes easier with the proper tools.
In a time when there are entire stores dedicated to selling different types of containers, a person planning a move could easily get lost just in preparation before packing a single box.
Finding perfect boxes for each item is great if you have got a lot of time, but for those who do not, we have put together this list of must-have packing and moving supplies.
Today we will be talking about items you need when packing your stuff, this is an inescapable process when planning to move and you should.
In this article, you will find some of the most essential items needed to pack for a move, so if you are planning a move, this article will help you work out the things you need.
Let’s dive right in, but before we list the things you need to pack for a move, let’s talk about a few packing tips.
PACKING TIPS FOR MOVE
Packing up your things to move to a new town should not be disastrous, these tips are evidently important to help you when packing, follow these steps as it will help you and you will be relaxing in your new space before you know it.
So here are few tips to hold while planning a move.
- Remember to always use the right the size of boxes
- Never leave empty spaces in the boxes
- Label each box with names and descriptions for where they are meant to be.
- Tape every box properly.
- Bundle breakable items like dishes.
- Especially pack items like TV, and home appliances with a screen or breakable parts.
Remember to use the right size of boxes:
You have to put items that are heavier in a separate box, and other things similar to books, in little boxes; light things, similar to cloths and cushions, in another box entirely.
Not using the right boxes for specific items when packing for a move is one of the problems movers face, and it just makes everything clumsy, so remember to categorize your items in the right size of boxes.
Never leave empty spaces in the boxes
Boxes that loosely packed or unbalanced are not good when moving, you are to ensure that your boxes are very balanced to keep your items safe.
A good recommendation is to fill empty spaces with clothes, packing papers, or towels.
Label each box with names and descriptions for where they are meant to be.
When packing, your boxes must be well labelled to keep things organized, label your boxes with name and description, this will help you and your movers know where each box belongs in your new place.
It makes the work easier, number each box and keeps a record of them in a small notebook, this will help you know what you have packed and yet to pack or unpack.
Tape every box properly.
You have to tape every box properly to make sure your items safely get to their destinations without losing or falling out.
Tape the bottom and top seams especially where stress is concentrated, tape it all around. We detailed a similar method of how to safely move your artwork.
Bundle breakable items like dishes.
When packing your dishes, it’s wise to put pressing paper around everyone, at that point wrap groups of five or six along with more paper. Pack dishes on their sides, never pack dishes flat.
Also, go use a lot of packing paper as cushioning above and underneath. Cups and bowls can be set inside each other, with paper in the middle of, and enclosed three or four by a pack. Pack them all in dish-barrel boxes.
Especially pack items like TV and home appliances with a screen or breakable parts.
Do not let any movers treat your home gadgets like any piece of furniture.
Gadgets like Plasma TVs, require special wooden crates for shipping if you don’t have the original box, this particular set of the gadget can be ruined if you lay them flat
So now let us list items or things you need when packing for a move.
Items needed when packing for a move
Below are the items you need when packing for a move.
- Boxes of different size
- Box cutters
- Tape
- Trash bags
- Resealable bags
- Bubble wrap
- Stretch wrap
- Labels or sticker labels
- Pens and a notepad
- Packing paper
- Permanent Markers
- Scissors
- Basic Tool-kits
Take note of the above-listed items, they are items you can not do without when moving so let’s talk about a few of their uses below, you can also check our moving tips.
Boxes:
They can be purchased from your moving company or a packing-supply store, or you can get them from a grocery, liquor, or office-supply store. Wardrobe boxes are the best way to move hanging garments.
Measure the number of linear feet of hanging clothes to calculate the quantity you’ll need. For the kitchen and dining room, use boxes with pre-assembled partitions to protect glassware.
You can purchase the boxes specifically designed to accommodate large items, including glass tabletops, mirrors, artwork, mattresses, and lamps. For books, choose small boxes. Those larger than 12 inches can be difficult to lift when full.
Box Cutters
There is a wide variety of knives that can be considered box cutters. Rather than relying on a specific design style, the box cutter definition simply comes down to whether or not a given tool can cut boxes.
Do not use just any kind of knife or cutter, it is preferable to use specified box cutters to keep things as professional as possible.
Tape
There are various types of tape you can choose from depending on how to use it. Like strapping tape, which is lined with nylon fibres that make it impossible to tear or cut without scissors and clear plastic mailing tape that is used for affixing labels and making them waterproof. It is best to have a tape dispenser for every member of the house.
Trash Bags
You can use trash bags to pack soft and nonbreakable things. They can be stuffed into trucks and morph into shapes that boxes cannot so this is one of the items needed when packing.
Resealable Bags
Small seal-able plastic bags are a great way to pack small things. It has a seal to secure small things and will also protect the contents from moisture and water. These bags can also be used to protect your art and antiques during a move.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is a flexible transparent plastic material used for packing fragile items. Regularly spaced, protruding air-filled hemispheres provide cushioning for fragile items. Use this to wrap your precious vases and other breakables.
Stretch Wrap
Stretch wrap or stretch film is a highly stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around objects. The elastic recovery keeps the items tightly bound. In contrast, shrink wrap is applied loosely around an item and shrinks tightly with heat.
Labels or sticker labels
For labelling, you may use masking tape and permanent marker. You can also buy stickers that can be stick into your boxes to serve as labels. Or, you can directly write labels into the box itself.
Pens and a Notepad
These two things are very useful when you are making an inventory of your things. List down all the things that you have packed and then you can use it later when checking out your items. Aside from these, you can also use any type of notepad app in your smartphone for a more convenient inventory.
Remember we talked about labeling and adding descriptions to your items so you need these two things.
Packing Paper
This is one of the few things that you don’t have to buy. Newspapers, scratch papers from the office, or old magazines can be used as packing paper for things that need to be protected from scratch.
Permanent Markers
Very useful for labeling purposes.
Scissors
Good for cutting bubble wraps, stretch wrap, and tape.
Basic Tool Kit
For furniture disassembly and other uses, we also offer a custom crating service.
Do you know of any other item that is not listed here?
