What Are The Best Packing Materials For Moving House?

Let's face it: nobody enjoys packing

Widely regarded as the least fun part of moving house or office, packing up can be time-consuming, stressful and frustrating. You might find yourself asking the question, when did I acquire so much stuff?

And then there’s the question of packing materials.

What should I use? What options are the most cost-effective? The most eco-friendly? And how am I going to keep my valuables safe?

Like all good operations, packing requires some planning. Evaluating the way you’re going to pack up your home and the materials you’re going to use can save you an awful lot of time and stress.

This guide will take you through some of the best packing materials out there and how to utilise them.

Which type of box is best?

Cardboard Boxes

By far the most popular box for moving house, cardboard boxes are a great option. They can be exceptionally strong, especially when corrugated. As regular household items, they’re easy to find, cheap and can be recycled.

However, beware: cardboard boxes do not fare well in adverse weather. If you get them wet, they’ll fall apart very quickly, so make sure you keep them away from freezer goods or items that could leak.

The humble cardboard box, like anything, can vary in quality and how well it’ll do its job. As with the packaging materials we utilise, those specifically designed and constructed for moving belongings are the best option. Old cereal and amazon boxes may do in a pinch, but they’re not ideal.

Plastic Boxes

Plastic boxes are a good choice as they are solid and reusable. You can find transparent boxes that allow you to see their contents, which can help you organise your possessions. They will also make unpacking much easier once you arrive at your new home.

However, they can be bulky to store, so unless you have plenty of storage space at your new property, they may not be the best option for you.

Wardrobe Boxes

Wardrobe boxes can save time when it comes to transporting clothes. With a built-in rail, you hang the contents of your wardrobe straight in the box. Once you arrive at your new home, you simply lift the garments (coathangers and all) straight into your new wardrobe.

Undoubtedly, they are highly effective, but they aren’t as widely sold as other forms of moving box. Luckily we can supply a selection of materials, including wardrobe boxes. So, no more asking the neighbours or looking in the local shop; all your packing needs can be found in one place with Caledonia Removals.

Which packing supplies shall I use?

Bubble wrap

Bubble wrap is a popular option for your more fragile items. Although most people tend to simply wrap their valuable object up in a sheet or two, a good tip is to line all your packing boxes for moving. The bubblewrap creates a buffer inside, absorbing impact and protecting the contents.

As bubble wrap is a single-use plastic material, however, it isn’t the most eco-friendly. Try to save your packaging materials for re-use before you toss them in the bin.

Packing Paper

Surprisingly, many professionals prefer paper to plastic. It’s much more eco-friendly and gets the job done just as well. However, how you use it is key.

The golden rule with packing paper is that more is more. You want as little dead space between your boxed up possessions as possible to reduce movement and protect them from breakages. Ball up the paper if you have to; anything to stop the items from shaking around inside the box.

If you’re running low or struggling to find any last-minute, socks, clothes or anything soft can be used to fill in any remaining gaps.

High-Quality Packing Tape

Don’t use cheap sellotape to secure your boxes. Especially if you choose to use cardboard, you’ll need proper tape to avoid breakages and splits in your boxes. This could be heavy-duty duct tape or special craft paper tape.

The right tape can also make reusing boxes much easier, as you can flatten them without any large rips caused by removing the tape.

Sounds too stressful?

If this seems a bit overwhelming, we don’t blame you. Let Caledonia Removals handle it. We can pack, unpack and move everything for you, taking the stress out of moving home or business.

We provide only the best packing materials near you, and should you enlist our services, we use only the highest quality packaging when moving you from A to B.

For a removal company you can trust, contact us today for a quote. We can get you moving quickly, safely and smoothly.