Moving can be a delicate and personal task. You’ll need to pack, load, unload, and unpack all your belongings. Your items are personal to you, which is why you’ll want them moved with extra care to avoid anything getting broken. This is why getting the right moving supplies is important when it comes to moving.
The Moving Help® Marketplace will assist with explaining why using the right packing materials is key, provide a moving supplies list, and offer tips for efficient packing and protection. In a rush? Jump down to the moving supplies checklist now.
Importance of Using Proper Moving Supplies
While it may be tempting to cut corners to save money on packing materials, you’ll risk damaging your items just to save a few bucks. Not all moving supplies are the same either. Some are specifically meant for moving while others aren’t and may not offer the same level of protection.
For example, without a proper TV moving box, you risk damaging your 55-inch TV. Another example would be not putting enough cushion between each dish and risk damaging your plates. Finally, not covering drawers in stretch wrap or using stretch wrap to keep the furniture pads intact could lead to damaged furniture.
A little bit of prep work and using the proper supplies can go a long way to protecting your items.
What Moving Supplies Do I Need?
We’ve narrowed down the most essential packing supplies you need for your move. The following 12 supplies will help you with your move. Keep in mind, that everyone’s move is different, and you might not need everything we suggest, and that’s OK too!
- U-Haul Moving Boxes
- Bubble Wrap
- Packing Paper
- Packing Peanuts
- Furniture Pads
- TV Moving Boxes
- Stretch Wrap
- Dish Saver Packing Kit
- Mattress Bag
- Packing Tape for Moving Boxes
- Labels for Moving Boxes
- Box Markers and Knife
1. U-Haul Moving Boxes
The most important and common item for any move will be moving boxes. U-Haul moving boxes were designated for moving as they’re built strongly and reinforced.
Small moving boxes and book boxes are perfect for heavy items. Medium-sized moving boxes are excellent for medium-sized items such as toys, kitchen items, and crafts. Large moving boxes are amazing for light or bulky items such as board games, stuffed animals, pillows, and hangers.
The best part about U-Haul is you can return any unused boxes with a receipt to a U-Haul center for a full refund.
These additional articles can help give you more insight into what boxes you could need.
2. Bubble Wrap
When it comes to bubble wrap, most think about using it to wrap items. However, bubble wrap is also great for laying at the bottom of your boxes and for filling empty spaces to provide extra cushioning and protection.
Bubble wrap is especially superb for using it with glass items.
3. Packing Paper
Packing paper is a great alternative to bubble wrap, and it’s better for the environment because it takes less time to recycle. Unlike when you use newspapers, U-Haul has acid-free and ink-free packing paper.
Packing paper is versatile for packing all kinds of belongings including home decor, dishes, valuables, glassware, small picture frames, etc. They’re easy to use, and you can layer them up with more than one sheet if needed for the item you’re packing.
4. Packing Peanuts
If you don’t have a ton of extra blankets or sheets lying around to fill the empty spaces in your moving boxes, you may wonder what you can use to fill those empty gaps. We have the answer for you: packing peanuts.
Packing peanuts create a soft cushion layer for any object including vases, collectibles, and more. The best part about U-Haul packing peanuts is their eco-friendliness and biodegradability compared to Styrofoam peanuts.
5. Furniture Pads
You may wonder, do I really need to rent or buy furniture pads, also known as moving blankets? The answer is, yes. Furniture pads are great to protect larger furniture and appliances. They prevent nicks and scratches to your belongings and home.
Want another great tip? Pair them with stretch plastic wrap, which is also on our list. These two moving supplies are quite the combination.
6. TV Moving Box
Most people don’t think they need to protect their TV, or they think they can get away with placing it in a snug place while moving. Does that really work? No, most of the time, the TV ends up broken, cracked, or scratched.
U-Haul has TV moving boxes to protect your flat-screen TV. The kit comes with two double-walled TV boxes, so you get the most protection that your TV deserves. Finally, the kit has foam protection for the four corners of your TV since those areas can be extra vulnerable, which will be helpful when you pack and move a TV.
7. Mover’s Stretch Plastic Wrap
Remember when we mentioned stretch plastic wrap in the furniture pad’s section? Well, we’ve arrived at the mover’s stretch plastic wrap section. You may wonder, is mover’s stretch plastic worth it at all?
The answer is a resounding yes. You can use the mover’s stretch plastic wrap to securely keep your furniture pads or blankets in place. You also can use them for dressers or drawers. You won’t have to worry about your drawers or doors opening unexpectedly while moving.
You also can bundle items together like kitchen utensils. It’s easy, fast, and quick to use stretch plastic wrap to hold all your items together for added protection.
8. Dish Saver Packing Kit With Moving Box
What makes a dish saver packing kit with a moving box so great? It’s nice, easy, and convenient to use. While an ordinary box can work, you could spend a few extra dollars on the dish saver packing kit to save time and energy in the long run.
The kit has an easy-to-lift dish moving box, 32 reusable foam pouches, and a five-piece cell divider to make sure everything goes into a secure place. You don’t want to risk breaking or scratching any sentimental dishes when you begin packing dishes for moving.
9. Mattress Bags
Why do I need a mattress bag? Because you sleep on your mattress, and proper sleep is essential for good health. You should avoid at all costs getting it dirty when moving. An unprotected mattress could gain dust, dirt, bugs, and other disgusting things.
A mattress bag is a great and easy way to keep your mattress clean from any indoor or outdoor elements. Plus, U-Haul has mattress bags with and without handles for you.
10. Paper Packing Tape for Moving Boxes
Without a doubt, packing paper tape for moving boxes is one of the most important — if not the most important — moving supplies items you can use. Paper packing tape is better than other tape. Why is that? It’s because it sticks super securely and easily onto moving boxes.
Additionally, it’s easy to tear the tape off the roll, and even better, you won’t lose your tear line. Nothing is worse than trying to find where you last tore off the tape, and then picking and scratching at it to peel off some more tape — so, frustrating.
11. Moving Labels
If you want to quickly label all your boxes, you can use ready-to-use moving labels. These moving labels will help you or moving labor providers to quickly identify which room each belonging goes to in your new home.
Of course, you should also use a box marker to label the contents inside your moving box so you know where everything is located.
12. Box Markers With Knife
It’s important to have an easy way to write on your moving boxes and to open your moving boxes. The easiest way to accomplish these two goals is with the U-Haul box markers and the retractable box cutter. You get two box markers to write all you want on your boxes, and you get a retractable box cutter that can easily cut through your packing paper tape and moving box.
Do I Need to Rent Moving Equipment?
Once you’re done finding all your moving supplies at U-Haul, you’ll need to decide whether you need to rent moving equipment. If you hired Service Providers from the Moving Help Marketplace, you should be aware they’re labor-only providers.
While most providers bring their own moving equipment, some don’t, which is why you’ll need to coordinate with them. If they bring their own dollies, you don’t need to rent one. If they don’t use their own dollies, you’ll want to make sure you rent one. Communication is key.
With U-Haul, you have the option to rent or buy furniture pads. If you need them for more than the move, you might want to buy some. Otherwise, you could get away with renting them.
Here all the items you might consider renting or buying:
- Utility dolly
- Furniture dolly
- Appliance dolly
- Furniture pads
- Forearm forklift
- Moving straps
- Should dolly moving straps
Where to Purchase Moving Supplies?
If it wasn’t clear to you already, Moving Help recommends you buy all your packing materials at U-Haul. You can buy moving and packing supplies in-store, online, or ship them directly to your home. These options give a head start on your packing time.
If you have any unused boxes, you can return them with a receipt for a full refund.
If you don’t want to use moving boxes, you might consider using ready-to-go moving boxes with U-Haul as an alternative option.
Tips for Efficient Packing and Protection
Packing can be one of the most tiring parts of moving. With a plan though, this process can go easier and quicker for you. The first step is to create a packing station in the room you’re packing. That way, all your moving supplies and packing materials are in one spot as you pack.
You should limit boxes to less than 50 pounds. Packing is a marathon, not a sprint. The less you own, the less you’ll have to pack. You also should consider creating a parts box and a day-of moving bag.
Here are five quick packing tips from Moving Help Service Providers:
- Put the heavy items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top of the moving box.
- Put all pets away, keep children away, and move any obstacles when loading or unloading.
- Plan a packing list to ensure you don’t forget any essential items.
- Make sure you have TV moving boxes for your TV or your TV in the box already for safe loading.
- Wrap all glass and fragile items in packing paper, bubble wrap, or foam.
If it’s still too much to handle or too overwhelming for you, consider hiring packing services with moving labor from the Moving Help Marketplace.
Find the Moving Supplies You Need
Finding the right moving supplies for your move can make your move that much easier. Understanding the reasons behind why you might need certain packing materials will help you get the right materials.
Moving Help has recommended 12 moving supplies that most customers will need for their move. As always, if you need some extra help with your move, consider hiring moving labor providers from the Moving Help Marketplace.
