The Best Packing Materials For A Safe & Secure Move
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The Best Packing Materials For A Safe & Secure Move

Feb 17, 2025

Relocating home is one of the most exciting endeavours but comes with potential challenges, especially when packing precious household belongings. Whether you’re moving next to the street or across a new city, there is always a potential risk of breakage, permanent damage, scratches, dust buildup and theft. Nothing is more frustrating than seeing your items shattered or broken post-relocation. This can add extra pressure on your shoulders, leaving you annoyed and overwhelmed.

Luckily, stocking up on the right packing supplies ensures the safety and security of your valuable items for a DIY move. You’ll need different types of sturdy boxes, packing paper, tape and extra cushioning materials to protect your furniture, artifacts, crockery, clothing and other items throughout the journey, especially from sharp edges, bumps and narrow spaces.

Here is a comprehensive guide to help you arrange the best packing materials for a safe and secure move. The article also comprises of best techniques to use these supplies for quality packing. You can also prefer hiring budget Removals Sunshine Coast for a stress-free experience from start to end.

1. Assorted Moving Boxes

Sturdy moving boxes are crucial for the safety of your household belongings. However, depending on specific needs, these are available in different types and sizes. From cardboard boxes to specialty ones, you can arrange the following to pack up your possessions:

  • Corrugated Boxes: These provide durability, extra cushioning and protection for fragile belongings. Their sturdy material prevents damage from moisture, pressure and impact during transit. The best part is that these are available in different sizes, from small to extra large, to fit all sizes of items.
  • Artwork/Picture Moving Boxes: These are carton boxes tailored for packing and securely transporting large pictures, artwork, mirrors and collectibles.
  • Wardrobe Boxes: Pack your formal clothing and office attire from getting wrinkled by using wardrobe boxes. You can hang your clothes on a metal bar to keep them intact throughout the journey and transfer them into the closet after relocation.
  • Dish Pack Cartons: These boxes are perfect for packing delicate dishes, cups and bowls, ensuring each piece remains damage-free.
  • Stemware Boxes: These come with dividers or inserts to keep wine glasses secure and prevent unwanted breakage during transit.
  • Plastic Boxes: These are durable, reusable and can protect your belongings from moisture and water damage. They will also make unpacking super easy once you arrive at your new place. You can store bulky items with ease.

Tip: Arrange free moving boxes from local grocery stores, liquor shops and bookstores to save extra money. Ensure they are in good condition. It is also good to toss unwanted stuff to reduce your load and moving expenses. This helps you arrange a fewer boxes or necessary ones only.

2. Bubble Wrap: Protecting Fragile Items

woman with some fragile stuff

Bubble wrap is one of the most essential packing supplies on the list. It protects breakable items during a move. To keep them intact, you can wrap mirrors, lamp bulbs, picture frames, crockery, and other delicate items. The bubble texture creates a protective buffer to absorb the impact while protecting the items. The best part is that bubble wraps are available in different sizes, qualities and types for almost all belongings during the move.

Tip: Pack your delicate items with packing paper. The first layer provides soft cushioning. After that, apply the second layer using bubble wrap to prevent scratches and damage.

3. Packing Paper: Provides a Protective Layer

Packing paper is a staple packing material to keep your household belongings secure during transit. These serve as a protective layer, shielding your items from dust bunnies, breakage, scuff marks and scratches, ensuring a stress-free move.

It is more effective when used with other materials, such as bubble wrap, foam wraps and Styrofoam, to add an extra protective layer. Stock up on 200-500 packing paper sheets to wrap your glassware, vases, dishes, picture frames, ceramics, mirrors, toys, small appliances, collectibles, etc.

Tip: Layer the moving box with packing paper at the bottom before placing your fragile items. Adding more layers can prevent damage during the loading and unloading process.

4. High-Quality Packing Tape

Professional Removalists Sunshine Coast always recommends using high-quality packing tape as it can keep your moving boxes sealed and prevent unnecessary damage during transportation. Instead of using cheap sellotape, invest in heavy-duty duct tape or craft paper tape that can withstand the rigors of your move. You can also invest in water-activated tape for heavy and expensive items where utmost security is needed.

Tip: Seal the centre seam of the box with packing tape. Next, apply the second layer along the edges to create an “H” shape on both the top and bottom.

5. Packing Foam For Extra Cushioning

Also known as foam wrap sheets, these are an excellent material that can provide extra cushioning to your fragile items during the process. These sheets offer a thick layer of cushioning to safeguard your breakable items, absorbing shocks and preventing scratches. You can use these foam sheets for electronics, ceramics, glassware and other items. Moreover, these can be used on furniture edges to avoid scratches.

It is good to opt for non-abrasive, soft and sturdy ones to ensure they protect your belongings without leaving scratches or scuff marks behind.

Tip: Layer foam sheets in the middle of stacked dishes or other flat items in a box to prevent damage.

6. Packing Peanuts

These may not be the most pivotal packing materials, but they can protect your fragile items during transit. Packing peanuts are lightweight foam pieces that are used to fill empty spaces in boxes, preventing shifting during loading/unloading and transportation.

Tip: You can also use crumbled newspaper to fill gaps and voids in a box. It is a cost-effective packing technique and also helps in reducing single-use plastic materials.

7. Label Stickers For An Organised Packing

Believe it or not! Label stickers can streamline the entire process. You can use either colour-coded sticker labels or a conventional one using a permanent marker. Label your packed boxes using different colour codes for easy identification. For instance, use red coloured label stickers for your kitchen items, blue colour for bathroom stuff, etc.

Writing content lists outside the boxes, especially for fragile items, can help prevent damage. This also makes unpacking process streamlined, especially if you are moving into a new home with small kids and pets.

8. Moving Blankets and Furniture Pads

These thick and sturdy materials cushion your expensive kitchen appliances and furniture edges. Blankets are made from durable and soft material, providing a protective layer against dents and scratches caused by jolts and bumps. These blankets safeguard your plasma TV, pool table, piano, and other delicate and heavy items.

Tip: It is always good to hire experts for safe removals in Sunshine Coast, especially for large furniture pieces. This can help you avoid injuries on the moving day as they will handle the complicated process without giving you a hint of stress.

Best Packing Supplies For a Safe and Sound Move

tips for packing for a move

Wrapping Up

These are some of the most essential packing materials that can help protect your precious household belongings from being damaged during transit. Ensure you arrange everything in advance within your estimated budget and focus on the right packing techniques for the safety of your valuable items.