Packing materials: What to use when moving home

Packing can be one of the most important and time consuming aspects of moving. Ensuring that your possessions arrive in good order is largely a matter of packing them well, and the materials you use can make all the difference. There is a range of materials that will make the packing experience easier and ensure that your belongings arrive safely at your new home.

Packing materials for moving home

There are a few basic rules to apply when choosing packing materials:

• Any packing material you use should be light, for easy carrying
• Packing materials should be sturdy, to protect their contents from falls, hits and rattling around in transport
• Anything that you pack fragile objects in has to be able to take the shock of any hit, and to snugly fit around the fragile item
• Packing materials have to be easily labelled

Packing requires two layers. One is soft inner material that holds the item steady and absorbs shocks. The other is a strong outer layer that protects from hits and falls and is easy to transport and label.

Types of packing materials

Packing materials for moving may be supplied by the moving company, but you may also want to collect your own for precious items.

• The humble cardboard box is still the container of choice for many movers, because it is very practical. It's easy to move, light, recyclable, easy to label and comes in a variety of sizes
• Avoid cardboard that is coated with wax, or is too thin and fragile
• Bubble wrap is excellent for packing smaller and fragile items. It can be purchased from newsagents or your removalist may supply it
• Newspaper crunched and wrapped around fragile items offers excellent protection, but do take care when wrapping it. Unprinted news wrap can be purchased from packing suppliers
• Hard board containers like poster tubes can be excellent for protecting pictures and other small objects
• You will need a marker pen to write your surname, destination address, box number and a contact number on all boxes and cartons
• Cartons and boxes should be sealed with strong packing tape or strong twine. Tape is best as it won't slip
• Plastic stretch wrap such as that you will see wrapping fruit boxes can be useful for protecting larger items like furniture or sealing boxes
• Large plastic bags for mattresses protect these from dirt and moisture
• Special furniture covers are also available
• Use thick felt moving blankets protect your whitegoods

A variety of packing materials can be used to protect your precious belongings when moving.

Packing materials to use when moving home

Use a variety of packing materials to protect your furniture, whitegoods, fragile items and smaller objects when moving. Old favourites like cardboard boxes are available in a variety of sizes, and are joined by bubble wrap, felt blankets, furniture covers and more to help you safely move your belongings.