Moving Supplies Checklist: Essential Packing Materials for Moving
Having the right supplies for a household move is crucial to ensure your belongings make it to your new home safely.
Keep reading for the only checklist of moving supplies you’ll ever need.
Packing Materials for Moving
The essential items you need for a long-distance move are boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and labels.
Boxes
Boxes are definitely part of your moving essentials. Be sure to get heavy-duty boxes in a variety of sizes to accommodate all your belongings.
Use larger moving boxes to pack light items, including bedding and pillows. Medium boxes are more suitable for packing up kitchen essentials. Smaller boxes are handy for packing more substantial items like books.
For fragile items, consider specialized boxes that offer cardboard dividers. This will keep things like glass and ceramics from bumping into one another and breaking.
Packing Paper
Packing paper is a useful item when packing for your move. Protect fragile items by wrapping them in layers of packing paper.
Unmarked, clean packing paper is ideal for wrapping and packing scratchable and breakable things like plates and dishes. It’s also simple to crumple up and pack into spaces in moving boxes so that nothing shifts inside the box.
Packing paper is easy to handle and simple to recycle.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is also an excellent resource for protecting your fragile items.
Protect items like vases or china by securing some bubble wrap around them. It’s a simple process and will help prevent breakage during the move.
Packing Tape
Secure your boxes with high-quality packing tape. Make sure you have enough. It's better to have extra tape than not to have enough.
Get several rolls of clear packing tape. Invest in tape in its own dispenser with a cutter. This way, it won’t be necessary to use scissors each time you need to cut a new piece.
Labels and Markers
It’s essential to label every single box that you pack. So, make sure you have plenty of labels available.
Consider using labels with different colors. A color-coding system allows you to select a color for a specific room, and then those boxes will go to the room with that designated color.
Remember to have some permanent markers available for indicated the contents of your box on each label.
Miscellaneous Items
In addition to the primary supplies, you'll need a few more things to keep your move organized and efficient.
Furniture Pads
Have some furniture pads, blankets, and covers on hand. Use these to wrap furniture, home décor, mirrors, artwork, and other things to prevent scratches, nicks, and other damage. This padding will cushion items while moving or storing to keep them clean and secure.
Stretch Plastic Wrap
Stretch Plastic Wrap can be used to bundle, bind, and fasten your belongings. Use it to wrap cabinets or dressers so that the doors and drawers stay closed. Or, wrap an open container or basket so that the contents remain in place. You can also use it to secure furniture pads to things that need to be protected.
Simple Tools
Keep a small toolbox available with screwdrivers, hammer, wrenches, scissors, and tape measure
You may need to deconstruct furniture, remove fixtures and nails, and adjust things in your home throughout the packing process.
Plastic Bags
Have some plastic baggies in various sizes handy. These will help you to keep small items together when packing up.
For example, when you take apart your furniture, you can put the screws into a small plastic bag and fasten it to the underside of the furniture with tape.
We'll Handle the Rest
Contact us for any short or long-distance moving needs (including supplies).
