Moving your belongings into a self storage unit or in transit to your new home can be surprisingly overwhelming. Carefully packing your items with quality materials is crucial to keeping them safe and secure during their time in storage. Using the packaging materials will prevent any unwanted damage from impacts, dust, and moisture.
Our guide will provide an overview of the best packing materials to use. We’ll cover all the basics you need, with some helpful tips sprinkled in!
Essential Packaging Supplies
Bubble Wrap
One of the most versatile storage packing supplies is bubble wrap. The air-filled bubbles provide plenty of cushioning to prevent your more fragile items from breaking. Wrap your delicate dishes, vases, mirrors, pictures, and more in bubble wrap for an added layer of protection.
Tip: Buying poppable bubble wrap allows you to flatten and reuse it later! (And it can be pretty entertaining).
Tissue Paper
You’ll want plenty of tissue paper on hand to wrap breakables and fill any empty spaces in boxes. Use sheets of this thin, lightweight paper to gently cushion glasses, ceramics, and other delicate items. The soft material helps prevent those pesky scratches from forming.
For dishware, wrap each piece individually before packing it in a box. Tissue paper also works great for filling any gaps and reinforcing the strength of boxes.
Packing Paper
Packing paper is another must-have for storing your belongings. Use it as a soft barrier between items to prevent scratches and dents. This versatile material can also be crumpled up and used as cushioning inside boxes and in gaps.
Tip: Save paper from recent deliveries and reuse it as free packing material! Just avoid newsprint, as the ink can rub off.
Cardboard Boxes
Your prized possessions need a safe place to call home during storage. Cardboard moving and storage boxes are designed to withstand moisture, impact, and weight, without collapsing.
Aim for consistent sizes that are manageable to lift and stack. Label contents clearly on all sides for easier access down the road.
Tape
Any storage pro knows reliable tape is a must for keeping boxed items secure. Use packaging tape to reinforce strapping to help seal your boxes shut, which prevents problematic breakage.
Tip: Run tape along the bottom seams of boxes for extra durability when stacking!
Marker Pens
Clearly labelling moving and storage boxes keeps the contents easily identifiable so you can actually find things later! Use self-adhesive labels that won’t peel off or smear for the best results.
Tip: Categorise your boxes by room or storage zone when labelling. Write a list on the side so you know what’s in each box without opening up each one later!
Mattress Covers
Protect mattresses from moisture, stains, dust mites, and dirt, with a breathable mattress cover in storage. This zippered vinyl or fabric covers shield bedding from contaminants that can spoil their quality and comfort. It’s a wise choice to invest in one for any mattress heading into storage.
Wardrobe Boxes
Wardrobe boxes are designed specifically for hanging clothing in storage units. Inside, there’s a metal hanger bar running across the top to neatly hang items from. This feature prevents wrinkling and creasing that typically happens when you lay garments flat inside regular boxes.
These wide, tall boxes are quite large and often used in addition to normal storage boxes. They allow your suits, dresses, and coats to arrive dress-ready upon move-out.
Archive Document Boxes
Sentimental or important paper documents like photo albums, folders, and memorabilia, need durable archive boxes for storage. These sturdy cartons are designed specifically for protecting paper from water, pests, and dust.
Acid-free and lignin-free materials mean your documents don’t degrade in quality over time. The tight lids also provide a defence against insects, floods, and light exposure. Label and store your archive boxes separately from the others for easy access down the road.
A Knife
Investing in a quality knife for packaging purposes is great for cutting through packaging materials. The right knife guarantees clean and accurate cuts, reducing the risk of damage to your contents inside the box while also improving the overall presentation of the package. A well-designed packaging knife makes cutting much easier and safer, lowering the chances of accidents or injuries.
Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Packaging Materials
When it comes to selecting proper packing supplies, there are a few critical mistakes to steer clear of:
- Buying flimsy boxes made of thin cardboard won’t properly protect items or hold up when stacked. Buy quality moving boxes designed specifically for transport and storage.
- Packing your fragile items loosely into boxes leaves them prone to cracking, chipping and breaking in transit. Make sure to use bubble wrap, tissue paper, packing paper or foam to cushion delicate goods.
- Buying boxes that are too large leads to unused space inside that allows your contents to shift and collide. Choose box sizes that closely match what you intend to pack inside without tons of room to slide around.
- Depending on the weight and box dimensions, some extra reinforcement may be needed. Use packaging tape along the bottom seams or reinforced security tape for extra durability with heavier boxes.
- Carefully organising and grouping similar fragile items together in boxes will make unpacking easier later.
Avoid these common errors to keep your stored goods safe from harm!
Where To Buy the Best Packaging Materials
For more guidance on choosing the right packing materials or preparing items for storage units, visit Pink Hippo Self Storage online or drop into one of our easily accessible locations in Leatherhead or Reading. Our storage pros would be happy to assist!
Give us a call today:
Reading
0118 957 1573
Leatherhead
01372 386 916