Moving & Packing Supplies

Gloves with a good gripping surface, such a silicone or nitrile dot anti-slip surface, will be useful during any move. Look for a woven breathable fabric to reduce sweating, like canvas or cotton.

Masking tape lacks the strength and adhesiveness found with packing and shipping tape, and so it is not the best choice for sealing moving boxes, especially on the bottom. Masking tape is better used for creating labels, since its surface can be written on.

Duct tape is not recommended for use with moving boxes. Duct tape doesn’t adhere as well to cardboard as other materials, like plastics, and it can leave behind residue, especially in warmer temperatures.

Packing tape can have difficulty sticking to surfaces that are dirty, dusty, or greasy. If a surface is clean and free of debris, packing tape should stick no problem! This tape is optimized for carboard, so while it may stick readily to other surfaces, like fabric or vinyl, its adhesive properties may be reduced.

From a practical standpoint, there is not much of a difference between packing tape and shipping tape. Both types of tape can be used interchangeably for the purpose of moving and shipping, although in terms of adhesiveness, packing tape tends to perform better over the long term and is a better choice for items that will be held in storage.

Forearm forklifts are generally meant to be used with two people, but hand straps can be used alone. When using straps, make sure that the item your carrying is centered over the straps for even weight distribution.

Moving straps are a great tool to have on-hand during a move, especially for moving large or heavy objects. They use leverage to help reduce physical strain and to prevent injuries.

The key feature of terry cloth, a lightweight cotton material, is that it's highly absorbent. Terry cloth is a great choice to have on hand during a move to mop up moisture or spills, wipe down furniture to eliminate dirt or dust, or to help keep hands clean and dry while you're moving to help prevent slippage.

Due to the shape and placement of its shackle, a disc lock would be more difficult to break in comparison to a padlock. However, in terms of security, both lock types contain case-hardened metals for greater durability and feature anti-pick pin tumblers.

Storage locks can cost as little as $10-$20, but they can also be more expensive depending on the brand, quality, and type of lock.

The size of disc lock you will need for a storage unit depends on the storage unit itself. Determine what size of disc lock will work with your storage unit of choice before purchasing, In particular, consider the diameter of the lock's shackle to ensure a solid construction and appropriate fit.

The most common types of locks used on storage units include heavy-duty disc locks, padlocks, and cylinder locks, and may be facility-specific. When choosing a lock, look for a product with high-quality construction and theft deterrence, and make sure the lock's shackle will fit the locking mechanism on the door of your storage unit. As a best practice, combination locks are not recommended, since their security can be more readily compromised in comparison to keyed locks They are typically not as durable and do not feature anti-theft mechanisms or design.

Usually a padlock or disc lock would be a good choice for most storage units, but some storage facilities require barrel locks to fit the locking mechanism. Before purchasing a lock for a storage unit, make sure that the lock you have or want to purchase will be the right fit for the unit.

In order to properly pack for a move or storage, packing supplies such as boxes and tape are a must, along with useful wrapping material, such as bubble wrap, foam wrap, or stretch wrap. Packing peanuts are good to have for filling in the empty space between items and the interior of the boxes they're packed in.

If you don’t have enough newspaper on hand to pack for your move, packing paper can be used instead. In fact, packing paper identical to newsprint can be purchased, except that it's ink-free for a cleaner packing experience. In a pinch, tissue or wrapping paper can be used a substitute for newspaper, should you happen to have it lying around the house.

Moving blankets are used to protect flooring, staircases and doorways while moving furniture, and as padding over and between furniture during transport. So, the number of moving blankets you need will depend on the size of your move. Do your best to estimate the number of moving blankets you think you'll need based on the surfaces or furniture you wish to cover, and purchase or rent a few more on top of that.

The best way to keep a mattress dry when moving is to use a plastic mattress cover, stretch wrap, or both. The use of a mattress cover or stretch wrap will help protect a mattress from dirt and dust both during your move and in storage.

Packing paper can be used to wrap items or to fill in empty space between the items and the inside of a moving box. Paper can also be used as padding between packed items. Using packing paper can prevent chipping, scratching, or breakage of your goods during transport.

Buying moving boxes can be worthwhile, due to their low cost, reliability, and versatility. Moving boxes can be easily (re)flattened for easy storage or recycling, and can be used to pack virtually any dry goods. Furthermore, new boxes that are purchased have significant advantages over used ones, mainly due to structural integrity, cleanliness, and durability. Boxes that are purchased outright do not come with the restrictions or fees that are typically associated with rental moving boxes, and will not need to be returned immediately once the move is over.

Movers do not have a box preference, but it is recommended that you use a combination of small, medium, large, and extra large boxes for your move, so you can pack various items without overloading the box or making it too heavy to lift.

Movers generally recommend not letting the weight of a moving box exceed 50lbs for the sake of safety and to avoid the dangers of overloading.

For easier organization, moving boxes are typically available in standard sizes. The most popular standard size for moving boxes is medium, which has a capacity of 3.0 cubic feet.

While it can be tempting to just throw things into bags for quick packing, boxes are by far the better choice for moving. Boxes are sturdy and durable, and therefore more able to protect your belongings from potential damage in comparison to bags. As a plus, boxes can hep you better organize your items and they can be stacked for added stability during transport and when in storage.

Free boxes can be obtained from places like grocery stores, liquor stores, and big box stores. However, free boxes may not always be clean, and may not be as strong or durable as purpose-built moving boxes.