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Essential Packing Supplies for a Successful Move
Moving day is close upon you and it’s time to get your packing materials together. Here are some tips to help ensure that your precious cargo will arrive unharmed at the doorstep of your new apartment.
Boxes
There are two schools of thought on boxes. The first one suggests getting what you can, where you can, and not paying for any of them. This approach works best if you’re not moving far, you’re moving yourself and you don’t mind the smell of bananas.
The other encourages buying your boxes from a moving or packing supply company. Check the policy with the store, but you can often return unused boxes. The advantage to buying your boxes is that they will be of uniform size and strength, allowing secure stacking inside a truck. You also have the option of buying oversize boxes, such as those for your wardrobe. (Read Find the Right Moving Boxes.)
No matter what kind of boxes you intend to use, you will always need more than you think you will. Set aside a few boxes for moving day for the things you’ll pack last, such as bedding, clothing and cleaning supplies.
Bubble wrap
The biggest danger to your fragile items is vibration — either from the road or the jostling that happens when moving boxes around. The best material to prevent breakage is bubble wrap, which usually comes in large rolls. (When the move gets really stressful, you can pop it to relieve tension!)
Paper wrapping
Newsprint is cheap and plentiful, but might stain your items. The best paper wrapping is unprinted newsprint, also available from packing supply and moving companies. Use it with bubble wrap, either to fill the empty spaces in boxes or to wrap fragile items cushioned by bubble wrap. Don’t be stingy! The best materials won’t make up for inadequate packing. Your goal is to immobilize all items in their boxes and protect those that can’t be boxed (mirrors, picture frames, etc.) from getting cracked or dinged.
Packing tape
All of your boxes will be useless without this vital item, which always seems to disappear during packing. Buy more than you think you’ll need; rolls often look bigger than they actually are! Also purchase several tape dispensers. If you’re having several people help you pack, you might consider one dispenser per assistant to really speed up the process.
Other supplies
It’s a good idea to get a clipboard and paper to make a manifest for all your boxes and the items in them. You could also lay in a supply of colored stickers and markers to help you create a packing/unpacking system. Choose a color per room so you can code each box with a color.
With enough time and a little online comparison shopping, you can likely find reasonable prices for all of your packing supplies. Many online sellers also offer free shipping. And don’t forget to purchase more than you think you’ll need.
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Readers Poll
How much will you budget for your apartment move?
- $301 to $500 (33%, 15 Votes)
- More than $500 (30%, 14 Votes)
- $100 to $300 (24%, 11 Votes)
- Under $100 (13%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 46
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