All Moving Supplies Are Not the Same

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Boxes and tape are some of the most vital components of packing, but all boxes and tape are NOT of the same quality. It's alright to toss random coffee mugs in an old shoe box and stick it on the top shelf of the pantry, but to pack, stack, and transport that box, it will collapse like a house of cards and you will end up with lots broken ceramic pieces.

If you are packing your things on your own, conduct some research into the materials before you get started. If you are employing a moving company to handle the actual moving, they will most likely have the correct heavy-duty boxes, tape, and wrapping stuff you'll need. If not, storage facilities, big box stores, and the internet are acceptable sources to obtain your supplies, but since you cannot do tactile research digitally, do not rely on reviews to make your decision—everybody packs differently and "sturdy" and "solid" are very subjective words.

Look for boxes that are corrugated--a layer of wavy fiber between the inner and outer layers of heavy cardboard. The corrugation gives the box structure and support, so when you load them on the moving truck they don't cave in. There are various amounts of toughness within the corrugated department, so you can purchase the box stability you need for a given item--go with the strongest duty boxes for the most breakable and the bulkiest things you'll pack.

While you are buying boxes, make sure and get plenty of the small ones--heavy belongings go in small boxes, bulky lighter ones go in the bigger boxes. For instance, books weigh a lot and should be put in a small box. Blankets and throw pillows are comparatively lightweight and go in the larger ones.

Picking up cheap, low quality tape is where a lot of DIY movers get discouraged. If it's cheap, it won't stick well. Worse, it will stick to itself coming out of the gun and tear in small little slivers and then you have to work at it and try to get it to unstick in one piece. Splurge on a decent-quality gun or two with a padded handle—you will be overjoyed you did when you're seventy-five boxes in with a ninety more to close. It's also a brilliant idea to get your tape in bulk--it costs less and you can usually return what you do not use.

There are several alternatives for padding inside the boxes. Old towels and blankets are amazing when you require something lining the box, such as when you're packing shoes and don't want them banging around.

Newsprint is by far the best alternative for nearly everything--from swaddling mugs (thread a twisted end through the handle and stick the leftover inside once it's wrapped) to books to kitchen items.

Bubble wrap can get costly, but get the good stuff anyway, since those are the items that you'll use it for. The bubble size fluctuates, but a fair rule of thumb is for your bubble size to match the item size—use the big bubbles for padding around the entire box. Touch the wrap before you purchase it, and see how strong it is when you twist and pull it. If it is fragile or doesn't feel like the bubbles hold, try a different brand.

If you have not moved for a while, and you go hunting for boxes, be ready to be amazed at the options you have. When your parents moved, they got their tape and boxes and had the whole neighborhood saving newspapers for a long time. Today, there are a lot of specialty moving supplies you will find in the stores—a few are really worth the extra cost, some are just reinventing the wheel—it's up to you to decide what's going to work best for you situation. Again, make positive you're buying good quality--you do not want your mattresses in cheap plastic sheeting.

• Dish packs are heavy duty boxes meant for dishes. They could have pieces of corrugated paper to separate the pieces so you don't have to wrap individually.
• Glass packs are like the dish boxes, except they contain the lightweight cardboard insert that goes inbetween the glass.
• Wardrobe boxes are also sturdy, tall, and contain a bar for hanging clothes.
• Specialty boxes for mirrors and TVs are shallow and large.

Now that you have your smalls under control, focus on how you are going to get the big stuff out the door--the couch, the lawn mower, the grill--but do not fret, help is right around the corner. In order to move some of these things renting equipment is the easiest course of action.

Your furniture is more fragile than you might realize--surface dings and scrapes are super common when things come off the truck. You can negate this damage with some key protection; again, be sure you are obtaining decent quality materials that stand up to the rigors of moving.

• Moving blankets are essential. You can buy or rent them. Most moving companies in El Paso and storage facilities can rent or sell them to you. Remember that while buying is cheap, renting may be the best choice. The blankets you purchase are usually a cheap fabric with padding and are okay for some things, but if you're moving wood furniture of much value you are much better off with a thick cotton pad with more batting in the middle, which can be rented (you could get them and return them with the truck). If you calculate you will use ten, get twenty—this is especially true if you opt to get the lower quality ones--double wrap.
• Shrink wrap that comes on a large, double handled roll secures the pads in place on the big pieces, and secures just about anything. Look for an almost opaque plastic that is going to hold up against boxes and corners--get the most puncture-proof plastic you can find.
• Foam padding is best used for corners, you can get a roll of heavy foam, just be careful that it is good quality and won't rip easily.

The last items you will want to have are for the super heavy and bulky stuff. Unless you happen to have these already, plan to rent.

• The best hand trucks are the heavy-duty ones that are appliance weight, and have straps to tighten down the thing you're moving. They also tilt, to provide you better leverage against the weight of the couch or washer or whatever you've strapped on.
• Dollies are flat pallets on wheels that are ideal if there aren't any stairs in the moving path. They are good for smaller chests or anything that's heavy and flat on the bottom; make sure the dolly you obtain is carpeted on the slats.
• Body straps help you to evenly distribute the weight of really bulky items on your body. They are commonly utilized in pairs as to takes two people to move the big things, especially downstairs. If you obtain these, make sure the straps and buckles are easy to use, and not frayed or broken.

However you're actually transporting your household, your local moving company in El Paso will be able to help you with all of the materials you'll need to move. Just remember that you're packing your whole life in these boxes, so be sure that your moving materials are sufficient for the job.