5 Tips On How To Put Your Used Packing Materials To Good Use

What's in this article?

Wrap Up Delicate Items
Bag Up Anything Spillable
Heavy Items Go On Bottom
Use Proper Packing Tape
Cargo Strap Large Items

Packing supplies are an integral part of the moving process and one of the best ways to safeguard against your belongings getting damaged or broken during while being transported in a moving truck. It’s easy to assume that you won’t need much in the way of packing supplies if your move is a short one, but any little bump or dip in the road can still cause items to shift and possibly damaged in the back of a crowded moving truck, something that’s an even bigger concern for long distance moving.

Wrap Up Delicate Items

When you pack a moving truck full of your belongings, there will be some that you need to handle with extra care. Things like mirrors, glass table tops, or anything else that could break with the slightest nudge needs to be carefully stored and covered if it shifts during the drive. Blankets and bubble wrap are two of the most common ways to make sure everything arrives in one piece, but it’s also helpful to consider where in the truck you position these items. For example, you don’t want a large mirror jammed up against a heavy dresser. One good approach is to use mattresses or couch cushions to offer some extra padding in addition to blankets and bubble wrap.

Bag Up Anything Spillable

Anything that can spill should be stored in a plastic bag and, if you want to take it a step further, put into a box that’s lined with a trash bag or other protective layer. This includes things liquid soap, cleaning products and any other type of liquid that you’ll be backing. If you’re moving any sort of spirits or liquor that’s in a glass bottle, be sure to provide some protective cushioning as well. Gallon bags make for a good layer of protection for most liquids and can also be used to individually wrap powdered cleaning supplies and laundry detergent.

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Heavy Items Go On Bottom

When packing your moving boxes, be sure to put heavier items on the bottom. Boxes that are top heavy can be awkward to handle, even for experienced movers, and can be a recipe for dropped boxes and damaged goods. Also be sure not to over pack boxes so that there’s no chance of the box coming apart while being lifted (this goes double if the movers have to go up and down stairs). If you have any concerns that a box might difficult to handle, it can be helpful to label them with a simple “this side up” note the same way you would a package that you ship. It should also be noted that labeling boxes is a good idea in general, that way you’ll know which ones go in which rooms of the house.

Use Proper Packing Tape

Despite your best efforts, boxes can get turned around and mishandled during moving so it’s important to use proper packing tape. Clear tape that comes with a tape gun is the best and easiest way to handle the job and should good enough to secure even heavy boxes. If you do have a box that is heavier than others, give it a couple layers of tape on all sides to make sure everything stays in place.

Cargo Strap Large Items

Larger items like a refrigerator, dresser, or washing machine should be securely strapped inside of the moving truck using cargo straps so that they stay in place during the drive. Don’t forget to secure the doors on the fridge too since they can swing open and damage your other items—the same goes for drawers on dressers and armoires that can’t be removed and loaded separately.