Packing Supply Essentials That Are A Must: Part 1

Ensuring that you have the right moving supplies to properly protect your valuables during a move or renovation is crucial.  However, knowing which packaging materials to buy and how much to buy can be a bit tricky, given the number of options available.  

In this article we share an informative list of essential moving supplies that you can use during your move, helping you to get organized and safeguard your belongings.  

1. Boxes

Boxes are a standard packaging option for people moving their prized possession because they are sturdy and reliable enough to handle several items without failing. While you can opt for previously used boxes from other people, this decision isn't ideal because boxes get weaker over time, meaning they can break open due to weak structural integrity.  

It's also worth noting that boxes come in different sizes; small, medium, and large. Below is a more in-depth analysis of each option:

• Small Boxes

Small boxes are usually known as book boxes and are typically 1.5 cubic feet in the United States. As the nickname implies, they are ideal for conveying small items like books, shoes, records, canned products, small appliances, and anything of the sort.

• Medium Boxes

Medium boxes are everyone's go-to option as they come with the perfect size (3 cubic feet) to house various items. They can house typical items including pots and pans, kitchen utensils, toys, lamps, souvenirs, and more.  

• Large Boxes

Lastly, we have large boxes, which are 1.5 cubic feet larger than medium boxes, totalling 4.4 cubic feet. This packing supply is best for carrying lightweight items like pillows, clothing, blankets, etc., since the more significant the cardboard container, the lighter the things kept inside.

*Note:  avoid overpacking a box as these packing items aren't ideal for heavy loads as they may tear the structure.

Essentially, the best types of boxes for moving are new ones as they are fresh and sturdy enough to handle load within their maximum capacity. However, choosing the correct quantity of moving boxes to purchase isn't easy as it depends on the size of your home and belongings.  

Nevertheless, a rough estimate for a 3-4 bedroom house is 40 medium boxes and 30 large boxes. For a 5-6 bedroom house, the estimate included 60 medium boxes and 45 large boxes.

To promote convenience, label your boxes with the appropriate names to facilitate easy unpacking, so you don't get confused about what container goes where.  

Bonus: How to Label Boxes

After packing, label each box according to its content to make the unpacking process more convenient. Also, opt to number each box and keep a master inventory of each item, allowing you to know whether all your boxes are complete.

Some other tips include:

• Use a permanent marker  
• Write something that makes the contents easier to identify (room, items, etc.)
• Prioritize boxes by tagging numbers or using different ink colours
• Mark all sides of the box for easy identification  

2. Packing Paper

Almost every move involves transporting several fragile or sharp items on your journey, it’s important to acquire some packing paper. This item provides extra cushioning and stability in boxes, preventing it from breaking or damaging other items.  

A common mistake is failing to buy proper packing papers and opting for newspapers to wrap their items. We don't recommend this option as the ink from these papers is never completely dry, causing them to bleed all over your belongings.  

In other words, you'll prepare to clean all your belongings of newspaper ink, which is an undeniable hassle after a long journey to your new site. For this reason, we highly recommend purchasing white wrapping paper since it will protect your items without leaving any stains.

3. Bubble and Shrink Wrap

Fortunately, one reliable option to safeguard your expensive or fragile belongings is with bubble or shrink wrap. Bubble wraps are fun to pop, but the air in each pocket performs as a cushion, dissipating the impact and preventing damage to items like electronics, breakable cups, and plates, figurines, etc.  

Shrink wrap is important for containing items, and the key difference between shrink vs tape is no glue that can damage or leave residue on your belongings. Essentially, they perform like the typical moving wrap as they merely assemble your items, thereby preventing disassembly.  

While this packing supply doesn't give as much protection as bubble wraps, they inhibit unnecessary movement that might fracture their structure.  

Note that you can combine both products by assembling all items with a shrink wrapper then fortifying them with a layer of bubble wrap, ensuring your belongings stay intact irrespective of the turbulence.  

4. Tape

After wrapping your items with bubble or shrink wraps and compiling them in a box, the next step to conveniently convey your belongings is sealing the package with high-quality tape. Depending on how many items need wrapping, you might need to use a tape gun as this equipment makes the sealing process faster and less tedious.  

Remember that you need high-quality tapes to effectively wrap your belongings since inferior seals will produce unwanted results. In other words, opt for shipping tape because they are reliable, easy to use, and affordable.  

This recommendation is predicated on the differences between packing tape and regular tape as the former contains a long-lasting adhesive that works in both hot and cold temperatures, ensuring your boxes stay sealed during storage, moving, and offloading. In other words, shipping tape is several times stronger than regular tape.

5. Marker

Assembling your belongings in cardboard boxes is one thing, but offloading and incorporating them in a new location is another activity that might be tedious or easy. One factor that determines the difficulty of this task is a marker.  

This tool helps you label each box, ensuring that you understand the content of each box and know where to keep them. Do not use a regular pen because the tiny trail it leaves makes it difficult to read compared to a marker.

Additionally, if you're confused on whether to use permanent or regular markers, it would be best to get the former. This recommendation is predicated on the fact that your label or indicator remains intact irrespective of friction, heat, or anything of the sort.  

*Note: Ensure to use a permanent marker so that ink doesn’t bleed.  

6. Parts Box

If the items being moved include dismantlable furniture, it's best to carry a parts box with you. This package makes sure you have a centralized space to keep your disassembled furniture, ensuring it stays intact during the journey.  

It's worth noting that these boxes are ideal for conveying a variety of furniture parts like table legs, media storage, casters, glides, etc., and also sufficient space for screws and bolts.  

While you can opt-out of this recommendation, it's best to have a packaging tool for convenience and safety.  

Bonus Information

It's important to note that specific items cannot be packed and shipped as potential hazards prohibited by the law. These items include:

• Flammable Liquids: lighter fluid, paint thinner, kerosene, gas, glue, alcohol, lamp oils, etc.  
• Corrosives: Household cleaners, car or boat batteries, acids, and liquid plumber.  
• Explosives: Ammunition, fireworks, bullets, detonators, flares.  

• Flammable Solids: Match sticks and fuel tablets  
• Gases: oxygen, propane, aerosol cans, helium, butane lighters, hair spray, household fuel, etc.  
• Liquids: Wine, beer, soft drinks, etc.
• Oxidizers: disinfectants, bleach, chlorine (pool chemicals), fertilizers, organic peroxide, etc.  
• Poison: Herbicides, pesticides, photographic chemicals, fumigants, etc.

Essentially, any item that can combust, like charcoal and oily rags, cannot be shipped as potential hazards.  

Conclusion

Numerous packing supplies exist to make organizing your belongings a hassle-free task. Hopefully, using this list helps you prepare for the journey by providing you with a vast list of packing solutions worth trying.  

In addition, we encourage gathering the necessary supplies several weeks before your move for the best moving experience. It's ideal for staying organized and prepared for the long journey.  

For more information on necessary things to have before or during your move, stay tuned!

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