Moving out of a home or sending stuff into storage is a big job. While you’re deciding the fine details, you’ll need to stock up on packing supplies.
Everything you own should be securely packed away in order to get to your destination safely.
Read on for a list of five packing supplies you won’t get enough of. It’s easy to underestimate how much to buy, so figure out the most needed supplies ahead of time. It’s better to be over-prepared than to be underprepared and scramble to pack things at the last minute.
MakeSpace is a full-service storage solution. Packing bags, bins and blankets is stress-free and the perfect packing supplies will make it even more so.
1. Plenty of Bubble Wrap
It’s a good idea to buy plenty of bubble wrap at the start. As you work your way through your home, you’ll find more fragile things than you first imagined. Even if you need to pack something small like a china teacup, bubble wrap will keep it safer from the bumps on the road than stuffing it between blankets or other kitchen supplies.
2. Sheets of Packing Paper
Don’t swap these for old newspaper. When you wrap belongings in newspaper, there’s a chance the ink will come off and stain whatever it touches. If that box is left untouched in storage for months at a time, the ink may never come out.
That’s why the most experienced movers always recommend stocking up on packing paper. Crumple it up to provide cushioning around things like dishes, pots and pans or layer it between objects for less rattling around.
3. MakeSpace Bins
After you’ve spent a few days or weeks slowly packing your home, you’ll be ready to have your stuff picked up. With MakeSpace bins you’ll have a trusted, secure way to transport your belongings. They’re sealed tight and easy to carry, which makes them perfect for long-term storage.
You can also buy these bins and store them. Consider using your garage after rearranging and cleaning to open up more room. MakeSpace bins won’t be affected by natural elements like cardboard boxes, so garage storage won’t be an issue.
4. Boxes of Garbage Bags
Think of packing as the cousin of spring cleaning. The more stuff you go through, the more junk you’ll find. It’s a great idea to donate what you can to local thrift stores, but you’d be surprised at how much trash you’ll end up separating. Buy multiple boxes of garbage bags to use before and after you move. It’s an easy way to tell things apart so you don’t accidentally pack trash or throw out what you want to keep.
5. Rolls of Packing Tape
There are always reasons to need packing tape. You never know when you’ll need to reinforce an item or tape up something that’s loose. Buy extra rolls and keep them within reaching distance.
Plan Your Storage
All these extra moving supplies will need a place to stay while you work your way through them. It’s a good idea to plan where you’ll store them, like on a designated countertop or in a specific cabinet. If everyone knows where the supplies are stored, you’ll always know where to go for more tape, bubble wrap or extra bins.
Get what you need and prepare to get more before you settle down in your new home.
AUTHOR: KACEY BRADLEY
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Guides for Brides, Hotel Online and more!
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