Moving & Packing Supplies
Good moving and packing supplies are important to having a smooth move. If you're planning to move and you are doing some or all of the packing yourself, you'll need an adequate supply of boxes, tape, cushioning and labeling materials on hand to avoid frustration.
In addition to the suggestions for moving and packing supplies we provide here, if you haven't done so already you'd better check out our Packing Boxes page to learn how to pack your moving boxes easily and efficiently.
Moving Boxes
Moving boxes are the backbone of the moving supplies you'll need. Movers might not agree to carry boxes you supplied and packed if the box is flimsy.
Most inexperienced movers go to the grocery and other stores to find used cardboard boxes they can use for packing up. Doing so could be asking for trouble. The best course of action is to get boxes designed for moving.
If you use poor quality boxes or cardboard boxes that have been overused, there's a much higher chance that your items will be damaged or broken when you go to unpack.
Good moving boxes are available from truck rental companies, like U-Haul and on the web from a number of sources. If you order boxes online
you can have the moving supplies delivered right to your door.
If you're hiring a local California moving company or a CA long distance mover, the moving company may not only have boxes you can purchase, but some also offer used boxes that are still in good shape for resale. You'll want to comparison price shop, especially if you think you'll need a large quantity of boxes to pack your stuff.
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Make sure you have enough boxes on hand to complete the packing job. Some moving supply stores let you return unused boxes so it generally doesn't hurt to have a few extras on hand. Be sure you start packing early enough so that if you run out of moving boxes you'll be able to get more in time to complete packing before your moving day.
Tape and Dispensers
Use strong tape to seal your boxes. You can use the sturdiest of boxes and then seal it with inferior tape only to have the box open and everything inside come crashing out. Look for a tape dispenser that you can use with one hand so you can use your other hand to hold the flaps closed when you tape up your boxes. Get a dispenser that is comfortable in your hand and that is sturdy so it will last a long time. You'd be surprised at the other uses you'll find for your tape dispenser after you move in to your new home.
Packing Paper
Don't use newsprint for wrapping things. The ink comes off too easily and ends up on the items you're trying to protect. And, it's really hard to get off. Use newsprint only for filling empty spaces in boxes for added cushioning. Buy plain packing paper for everything else. Again, you can purchase plain packing paper from a moving supplies store and even from most California moving companies.
Bubble Wrap
Use bubble wrap for your delicate items to protect from breakage. Use the kind with small bubbles for smaller and lighter objects and also have some large bubble wrap for bigger and more substantial items. You can line boxes that contain fragile items by placing a layer of bubble on the floor of the box and then add another layer on top of everything just before you seal the box flaps closed.
Labeling Supplies
You can use your computer and a printer for labeling your boxes or a label maker or you can write directly on the box with a permanent marker. The benefit of printing your labels is that you can create multiple labels for the same room and then just print out a sheet at a time. You can also create labels with your last name on them that you can then stick on every box. You can even create smaller labels with numbers if you want to number your moving boxes for the purpose of keeping an inventory. It's all up to you.
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