Moving to a new home or office requires moving expertise, effort, time, and, more importantly, the right moving supplies and equipment.
Trust us, nobody wants to carry the burden of paying hefty damage costs if something breaks.
Just like the Pottery Barn Rule. “If you break it, you own it!” Professional moving companies take this very seriously and, thus, ensure they use the best resources to help you ace the packing game and make your relocation as smooth as possible.
This brings us to a simple question: What moving supplies and equipment do these companies use to ensure the safety of your items during the move?
The basic packing materials include a strong, sturdy moving box, bubble wrap, a floor protector, and labeling materials.
But is that all? Let’s find out.
This blog explores the nitty-gritty of using the most suitable packing material to protect your belongings from dings, marks, scratches, and other potential damages during the move.
1. Moving Boxes
Tip: The heavier and the bulkier the item, the smaller the box you use!
Choosing the correct moving box is the most essential part of the moving process. Every box has a special feature better suited to your unique requirements.
For example, fragile items need double-walled boxes to protect them from shocks and vibrations during transport.
On the other hand, a banker box is used to organize your office supplies or files, and a wardrobe box is used to hang clothes safely.
In each case, you need a separate moving box to ensure your items remain in good condition when they reach your new home or office.
Small moving boxes
Small moving boxes, usually 1.5 cu. ft. in size, are appropriate for stacking heavy objects. Movers use these to pack kitchen items such as cookbooks, toasters, canned items, etc.
Medium-sized moving boxes
Medium-sized boxes, typically 4.0 cu. ft., are suitable for stacking medium to slightly heavy objects, such as home decor items, small paintings, air fryers, rice cookers, etc.
They are durable and spacious and can fit slightly heavy items and small knickknacks.
Large moving boxes
Large-sized boxes are typically 6.0 cu.ft. Heavy-duty boxes are ideal for packing bulky items and organizing storage unit items.
The extra space helps you stack large kitchen appliances, coats, curtains, computer parts, lamps, etc.
Wardrobe Box
These boxes come with pre-assembled hangers, allowing you to hang clothes directly from your closet.
They are the most durable boxes, making moving easy for people with many closet items.
Banker Box
Banker boxes are the most durable moving boxes, as they need not be sealed with tape.
These boxes can store all your heavy paperwork, documents, folders, and files. Their carry handles make them easy to lift during the move or keep them in a storage unit.
2. Bubble Wrap
Bubble wraps are lightweight materials ideal for safely packing fragile and valuable items.
Delicate artwork, light fixtures, glassware, stemware, and vases, among others, stay safe with bubble wrap during the move.
The primary purpose of bubble wrap is to provide extra protection from shattering. Moving companies use bubble wrap between two items to fill empty spaces as it allows for cushioning.
Also, the air-filled bubbles prevent your items from moisture and humidity levels.
3. Packing Paper
Using newspapers for packing is a big no-no. The ink on the newspaper is easily transferable and can leave stains on your items.
You can use it to wrap dishes, bowls, glassware, stemware, or any other oddly shaped items, preventing them from breaking during the move.
Using two to three layers of crumpled packing paper also helps fill empty spaces inside the moving box.
4. Packing Tape
Another significant packing supply that moving companies emphasize is using robust and adhesive packing tape for sealing moving boxes.
The key here is to check its longevity, heat and tear resistance, width, and convenience.
All these factors affect how secure your items will be when transported for shorter and longer distances.
Professional movers often carry:
Single Roll of Tape
The most common packing tape that every mover carries is a single roll of tape.
The best part about a single roll of tape is its ease of use. Packing a large number of boxes is a time-consuming task.
Therefore, these tape rolls are useful for tearing and sticking when sealing many moving boxes.
Tape Gun Dispenser
Tape gun dispensers are hand-held dispensers that help local movers cut tape neatly. They prevent overlapping or tangling, speeding up packing and sealing the boxes.
5. Labeling Materials
Moving itself is a tedious task; unpacking your box should not be. As we all know, boxes are identical, and the worst thing you can imagine is needing clarification between them when reaching your new home or office.
Hence, moving companies opt for a more innovative approach, naming all the boxes room-by-room. Not just that, labeling boxes get creative when using colored markers, numbers, and stickers.
Labeling materials that moving companies use:
Permanent Markers
Experienced Movers ensure they use high-quality, waterproof markers when labeling moving boxes.
This helps you spot the box when unpacking, loading, and unloading.
These markers should be good quality, easily noticeable, and water-resistant to prevent the labels from getting smudged during a rainy day.
Moving Labels
Professional movers do opt for stickers and moving labels, eliminating the use of permanent markers.
These printable stickers or moving labels are easily downloaded in different colors.
Each color represents a specific room, instruction, or direction, helping movers navigate through boxes.
For example, you can put labels as:
- Fragile
- Handle-with-care
- Kitchen
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Storage room
- Garage
- This-side-up
6. Moving Blankets
Moving blankets are polyester-based, foldable, thick materials suitable for packing large, delicate items such as paintings, sculptures, or heavy pieces of furniture.
Why do movers use moving blankets?
Movers prefer moving blankets to protect your belongings from scratches and dings during motion.
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Reduce damage costs
The most significant benefit of using moving blankets is protecting expensive furniture and antiques from collapsing during transportation.
Moving blankets gives them extra cushioning, safeguarding them from damage.
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Prevents shocks and vibrations
Moving blankets can withstand shocks, making them highly useful for moving electronics, TV sets, game consoles, and computers.
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Reusable
Purchasing a moving blanket is not just for moving but also for other purposes. After the move, you can repurpose your moving blankets to cover flooring, corners of pool tables, wrap TVs, sofas, paintings, flower bases, and storage unit items.
7. Mattress Covers
Movers use mattress covers before loading and unloading to prevent wear and tear and protect them from dust, dirt, and moisture. These are also stain-resistant and ideal for moving and storage purposes.
Foam mattresses should be transported flat to avoid folding them and trapping moisture inside. A helpful hack is to wrap the mattress from the edges with tape while lifting it.
Here’s how you move a mattress like a pro –
8. Floor protectors/Runners
Floor runners are surface protectors that roll flat to the floor or counters, are slip-resistant, and cling to the floors effectively.
Local movers use floor protectors to protect wooden floors, ceramic tiles, and carpets from spills, scratches, and scuff marks.
These polyester, foldable floor mats are easy to lift from one site to another, helping movers carry these wherever they want.
9. Furniture Moving Dolly
The flat-surface furniture dollies are designed to transport large and heavy furniture safely.
Moving companies use durable, sturdy dollies made of heavy-duty steel with a capacity of 600 lb.
These rectangle flat-surface dollies are non-slip and waterproof, helping movers carry pianos, household plants, sofas, coffee tables, etc.
10. Hand Trucks
Due to their L-shaped structure, movers opt for hand trucks moving smaller items, such as piles of small, medium-sized cardboard boxes.
Hand trucks are made of aluminum and are easier to move and carry.
Types of specialized hand trucks moving companies use:
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Upright Hand Truck
For movers, an upright hand truck is the most convenient moving equipment for lifting boxes.
The design is simple and user-friendly, with two wheels and one handle at the top.
Its versatility makes it suitable for stacking tall items and lighter boxes for transportation.
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Appliance Hand Truck
As the name suggests, appliance hand trucks are designed to transport heavy, large appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, gym equipment, etc.
This type has specialized features like heavy-duty straps, extra padding, and a side rail, helping movers load and unload larger appliances securely.
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Convertible Hand Truck
Convertible hand trucks combine upright hand trucks and four-wheel horizontal carts. This dual support aids movers in making the equipment two-wheeled when stacking tall items and a four-wheel horizontal cart for carrying bulky items.
11. Bungee Cords and Straps
After stacking boxes, sealing them with packing tape, and loading them onto moving trucks, movers ensure your belongings are safe and intact.
Hence, they use bungee cords, cargo straps, or rope to stabilize your items and prevent them from rolling around.
Why movers use bungee cords and straps to secure your belongings:
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It allows them to lift heavy items easily.
Bungee cords and straps are ergonomically designed, allowing movers to move, lift, carry, and safeguard your furniture from damage.
With straps, your items are in one place, helping movers gain balance and control when moving dollies and hand trucks.
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Moving straps leave their hands free
Keeping the arms hands-free, movers can perform other tasks and focus on holding the door, opening the door, or simply attaining stabilization while handling furniture.
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Prevents back injuries
These lifting straps allow movers to use less strength when moving heavy or bulky items. This helps movers prevent injuries while moving and avoid back strains.
Final Thoughts
The essential thing about moving is decoding the correct packing tactic, which saves you time and gives you peace of mind regarding the safety of your belongings.
This article highlights the significance of using the right moving supplies and equipment for a smooth moving experience.
Hiring professional movers is vital as they are well-equipped to handle every aspect of your move.
Their efficiency in handling sturdy moving boxes, strategically using cushions, and maneuvering hand trucks and dollies helps you streamline your move better.
FAQs
What are the must-have moving supplies you need when moving?
Every move is unique and requires special supplies.
However, the most common moving supplies that make your move smooth are moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, furniture pads, moving blankets, floor runners, dollies, and lifting straps.
For residential and commercial relocations, these moving materials are paramount for every professional mover.
Where can you buy moving boxes and supplies?
There are three ways to buy moving boxes and other supplies: online marketplaces, local supermarkets, or free of cost.
Online retailers include Amazon, Craiglist, and Staples. Other big-box stores nearby, such as Home Depot, Target, and Costco, are suitable when you need supplies immediately.
The third and most cost-effective option is to find moving boxes or other supplies from local liquor stores, grocery stores, community centers, or friends and family.
What do moving companies do to prevent injuries during a move?
Moving companies are well-versed in the challenges of moving day.
Hence, they ensure they stretch before lifting, do not exert too much strength while lifting bulky items, and use the proper lifting techniques to protect them from lower back injuries.
Using the right equipment is one of the most significant tips to prevent injuries during the moving day.
Hand trucks, dollies, moving straps, bungee cords, and a first-aid tool kit are a few must-haves that movers always carry.
What moving supplies do you need for long-distance moving?
You must take extra care of your belongings during a cross-country or a cross-state move.
The biggest tip to make your long-distance move successful is to invest in a good quality moving box, cushioning material, and moving equipment.
For example, your artwork, TV, mirrors, or game consoles are fragile items that need a special TV and mirror box. Similarly, for longer distances, you need a secure seal.
Investing in a robust and adhesive packing tape is also equally important.
Next is to ensure your items don’t slide or shatter inside the box; hence, packing peanuts, foam sheets, and bubble wraps are essential for extra padding.
