The Best Packing Materials For Moving House

If you prepare for it correctly, moving house doesn’t have to be a stressful time. Before beginning your big move, there are a few steps that you’ll need to consider, especially if you’re using a removal company to transport your belongings.

It’s fairly common that possessions get mishandled throughout the moving process and can end up being broken, therefore it’s extremely important to choose the right packaging and packing materials to protect your valuables. Having the necessary packing materials will make your move much less stressful, as you can rest easy that your belongings are being transported safely.

We’ve created this guide on which packing materials you should use, and how to use them – so that you can focus on being excited about moving house, rather than being stressed.

What are the Best Packing Materials?

There are a few key packing materials that you’ll need for your move. Below we’ve listed the essentials:

Cardboard Moving Boxes

You can’t finish the packing process without corrugated cardboard boxes’ unrivalled versatility.

• Lightweight and portable, they come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be folded to save space, and – perhaps most importantly – are a cost-effective packing solution.
• Generally speaking, you’ll need roughly 5-7 large boxes, 8-10 medium-sized ones and about 10-12 small boxes to pack up the contents of one room. That, of course, is only an approximation – but it should give you a rough idea about how many boxes you’ll need for your whole house.
• Also, for items like dishes, mirrors and artwork, you might need some more specialised boxes due to these items’ fragility.

Wrapping Materials

Whilst cardboard boxes are the staple packaging item for any successful move, you can’t just place your belongings in them unsecured, and leave them to move around during transit. You’ll need to consider packing materials to properly secure your possessions and to ensure that they don’t get damaged:

Packing Paper

When packing breakable and delicate goods that would not survive the trip without adequate protection, use white or brown packing paper as your first layer of protection. Packing paper doesn’t leave any marks or stains on objects, making it ideal for protecting fragile household items. In no time at all, crumpling some packing paper sheets forms a fantastic cushioning material.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap, without a doubt, will be your best option when you’re genuinely concerned about the survival of your most fragile goods during the journey. When you’re unpacking your boxes after the relocation, the ultimate protection of the bubble wrap protective material might save you a lot of time and aggravation.

Plastic Wrap

The highly flexible plastic material, often known as stretch wrap, is ideal for keeping things in place without having to worry about cleaning any residue marks afterwards. You can use plastic wrap to pack clothes, and secure furniture drawers very easily.

Straps and Ropes

The last component you’ll need is cargo straps and/or rope to keep your bigger items from shifting around in the removal truck or van. Unsecured objects might shift about during the trip, potentially causing damage. Make sure your straps are sturdy enough to hold hefty furnishings steady without breaking.

How to use:

• Some straps have pull-down clamps for simple tightening. If so, wrap the strap around the item and attach it to the side of the vehicle or another object, then pull down on the lever until the strap is tight.
• Take your time and tighten the strap gradually; otherwise, you risk damaging the furnishings.

Using Storage as an Interim Location

When you’re packing up your home, there might be some items that you don’t need right away but don’t want to get rid of just yet. You can store these belongings in a storage unit until you’re ready for them.

Storage units are perfect when you’re between homes or renovating; they provide a safe and secure place to keep your belongings while you figure out what to do with them. And here at Cubic Storage, we offer a great range of storage unit sizes, suitable for a couple of pieces of furniture, or the contents of your entire house – so get in touch with us today and speak to one of our friendly storage experts to find the right storage solution!