Packing materials and equipment explained

Relocating your household is without a doubt a process with many layers. Budgeting your funds, looking for perfect movers in NYC for the job, and finding a new dream home. However, all of these tasks fade in comparison to one specific part of the process. A part most people find to be extremely tedious, and even worrisome. We’re of course talking about packing your items. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of packing materials and equipment explained for your convenience. With it, you’ll quickly learn how each of these pieces contributes to the safety of your belongings. In addition, you’ll understand when and how you should utilize them to make sure everything reaches your new home in perfect condition!

Why do people need packing materials and equipment explained?

In many cases, people opt for carrying out some of the moving tasks on their own. This usually means packing all of their belongings themselves and only hiring movers for the physical part of the relocation which involves loading and unloading the boxes. If you do go for the DIY approach, remember that your items must be properly packed. You don’t want to accidentally damage your items in the process due to improper packing. To ensure everything remains safe and in good condition, you’ll need to know how different packing materials work.

The key point is to pack all of your items in such a way, that they remain damage-free throughout the entire relocation. What makes this task even more challenging, is the fact that different items require different packing materials and equipment to ensure absolute safety. This is exactly why hiring a team of professional movers is the smartest choice to make. Not only do they have experience in transporting items, but they can also pack them to the highest safety standards.

Cardboard boxes are the quintessential packing materials no move can go without

No matter how simple or small your move is, it simply can’t be done without the good old cardboard box or two! Quality moving boxes Brooklyn locals trust are favored by both pro and amateur movers. But as simple as these boxes are, choosing the right one for the job is far from simple. You always need to remember that size, strength, and sturdiness make a big difference. Getting free boxes from your local supermarket for lighter things may be acceptable, just make sure they’re in good condition, with no creases or water damage.

The heavier goods, like books, should go in the smaller boxes, while the lighter items, like clothing, should go in the medium and big boxes. You should also consider whether you require any special boxes as well, such as flat-screen TV and dish set boxes for added security.

After you figure out the type and size of the boxes you need, the next step is to decide how many of them are needed. Bear in mind that the number of boxes required for a house with three bedrooms and 1,200 square feet would be very different from a house with three bedrooms and 2,200 square feet. How many boxes of each size you’ll need truly depends on the particular goods you plan to relocate.

Simply put, more items require more boxes. Someone with a large collection of trinkets or books will require more little boxes than someone with a sizable T-shirt collection. As a rough reference point, a studio apartment would need on average, 6 small boxes, 12 medium boxes, and 2 large boxes. On the other hand, a 4-bedroom house may need 40 small, 70 medium, and 16 large boxes for a smooth relocation.

Packing paper, cushioning, and bubble wrap are ideal materials for preventing dents and scratches

As you’re probably aware, it isn’t enough to simply toss your items into a box, seal it shit, and call it a day. What you need to do, is make sure your items are properly isolated within the box, so they can absorb any vibrations or bumps that may occur during transport. Just keep in mind that, when you use packing supplies like these, you shouldn’t overdo it. Too many layers of wrapping materials can have a negative effect on your items, constricting them, and exposing them to damage.

However, the good news is, these are some of the packing materials you can save money on if you want to cut down on your moving costs in Brooklyn. Instead of buying bubble wrap, stretch tape, or specialized cushioning, you can use household items! Old newspapers, spare clothes, and blankets can be great makeshift packing materials at practically no cost!

Scissors and box cutters make life more convenient

Whenever you’re packing and moving, always make sure to have a pair of trusty scissors by your side. Not only will you need them for cutting tape and packing paper, but they’ll also be the first thing you reach for when you have to open a box. You never know when you’ll have to cut something to size, like a piece of packing paper, or a moving blanket. Now that we’ve explained the importance of scissors, let’s look at a piece of packing materials and equipment that is often overlooked.

Many people find box cutters redundant since they have scissors. But don’t shy away from this nifty time-saver just yet! With it, you can easily slice through anything, and make quick work of items that may prove too difficult for scissors. Plastic zip ties, thick furniture coverings, cardboard boxes, and foam wrapping, are no match for the mighty box cutters!

Different types of tape help seal the deal

When it comes to tape, you can never have enough! Trust us when we say, you’ll definitely need more tape than you think you’ll need. So make sure to stock up! Strong, durable packing tape will be your best friend when the time comes to seal all of your neatly packed boxes. And not only then, since you’ll have to reinforce the bottoms and the sides of the boxes too. This way, you’ll prevent unexpected rips during transport, and ensure maximum safety.

Besides packing tape, local movers in Brooklyn also advise stocking up on a bit of painter’s tape as well. As you probably know, this tape has low adhesion, so you can’t use it for sealing boxes. What it is good for, however, is labeling the boxes you’ve packed! Masking tape is also great for covering delicate wood surfaces, so they don’t get scratched during the relocation commotion.

Various labeling materials and equipment can make your relocation fluid and organized

Worried about not being able to find that one specific item after you’ve packed all of your boxes? Does the thought of digging through a sea of boxes to find your kitchen utensils terrify you? The solution is very simple. Labels, labels, labels! By labeling your boxes, you bring order into an otherwise chaotic operation. Labeling is an art form, and you can achieve true art without the proper tools. That’s where the humble pen and paper come into play.

Before you start packing, whip out a few pieces of paper, and note down all of the items you have. A good inventory list can help you both when moving, and when renting New York storage facilities. While packing your boxes, either mark them with their contents or simply assign them a number. Then, note down the numbers next to the items on your list, and you’ll be good to go!

While it’s not necessary, you can take your packing organization to the next level by adding colors to the mix. Color coding is a huge help when moving a large household, and makes tracking your inventory much easier. The way you can do this is to divide your rooms into various colors. Then, add colorful sticky notes to your boxes and non-boxed items. This way, you’ll be instantly able to tell what item belongs in which room.

As simple as it sounds, this method absolutely works. The use of these packing materials and equipment can be explained through basic human psychology. We like order, but we also like keeping things simple so as to not overload our brains. Assigning colors to different items is the simplest way to classify things, without overcomplicating your packing process.

With ratchet straps and rope, packing and transporting are a breeze

Now that we’ve explained some basic packing materials, we can move on to some more serious equipment. If you’re loading a moving truck by yourself, you must ensure all of your items stay in place during transport. Even though you’ve packed everything perfectly, all it takes is one bump in the road to topple all of the boxes, ruining your fine work.

With ratchet straps and ropes, you can tie down your belongings to the floor and walls of the truck. This prevents them from shifting, falling over, and crushing the items below them. Residential movers in Brooklyn also recommend using a specialized kind of ratchet strap. These straps go over your shoulders and are used to lift and move heavy items. With them, you shift the load from your back, ultimately preventing injuries on a moving day. Remember, safety first!

Roll towards success with the use of moving dollies

While moving, you’ll have to haul a lot of heavy, bulky items around. Couches, sofas, closets, washing machines, fridges. All of these items are considerably heavy and are an absolute pain in the neck to move. Their size alone makes them difficult to shuffle around the house. And their weight alone can be a nightmare for floors and walls. One wrong move and you have a nasty gash in your drywall or your priceless wooden floors.

Luckily, both of these problems can be solved with the use of moving dollies. These are special, small carts used specifically for moving heavy or bulky items around. Different types, such as appliance dollies, furniture dollies, or utility dollies, all serve the same purpose. To help you get your items to and from the moving truck without breaking a sweat.

A few additional packing tips

We’ve covered various packing materials and equipment, explained how they work, and how you can benefit from them. Ultimately, they all serve the same purpose: To provide safety and convenience. Both to your items, and prevent them from getting scratched, broken, or damaged in any other way. And to you as well, by keeping you safe while you work with heavy items, and helping you remain organized. As a parting gift, we’d like to share a few more useful tips with you:

• Avoid packing your boxes with explosives, flammable chemics, plants, or perishable foods. This is primarily a health hazard, and some movers may even refuse to transport your items if they’re deemed hazardous. If you have leftover canned foods, consider donating them to a charity in your area.
• Start your packing efforts with the items you use the least. This lets you use the important items for as long as possible, while also creating more room to work in.
• To save time, pack your household room by room. Start packing your bedroom, and don’t stop until everything is boxed. Then, move on to your living room.
• Once you’re done unpacking after the move, don’t throw your boxes in the garbage. Find an alternative use for them around the home.

Now you are properly ready to take on the great adventure that is home relocating. You know which packing supplies and tools to use, and how to utilize them to perfection. All you need now is a little bit of patience, and the expert U. Santini movers to help you get your items to your new home. If you put everything you’ve learned about packing materials and equipment to good use, your relocation will be smooth, safe, and efficient.