One of the most important parts of getting ready for a move is packing your belongings properly. Before you begin wrapping and boxing up your kitchen items, artwork, clothes and small decorative pieces, it’s important to have the right packing supplies on hand. If you’re planning to handle the move yourself instead of hiring professional movers, make sure you have moving boxes, packing paper, padded blankets and plastic wrap for moving to protect all of your belongings.
So, once you have gathered all the packing and moving supplies you need, what should you do next? Here’s everything you should know about properly using plastic wrap for furniture during your move.
What is Plastic Wrap for Moving?
Plastic wrap is a thin plastic film that sticks to itself using static or a light adhesive. It is usually clear but you can also find plastic wrap for moving in different tinted colors if you prefer. This useful moving material is known by several names, such as stretch wrap, shrink wrap or cling wrap. It’s very similar to the Saran wrap many people use in the kitchen to cover and store leftover food.
Although you could use the plastic wrap from your kitchen cabinet in a pinch, it’s better to follow a pro packing tip and use thicker, stronger plastic wrap made for furniture. This popular moving supply offers many benefits which is why it’s widely used throughout the moving industry.
Benefits of Using Plastic Wrap for Moving
Getting ready for moving day also means learning about the best packing materials for your belongings and understanding how each one helps. Since plastic wrap for furniture is a very common moving supply, you’ll probably see it mentioned often while doing your research. Below are some of the benefits of this popular and easy-to-use material:
- It holds moving blankets in place and doesn’t leave sticky residue on your furniture.
- It keeps drawers and cabinets closed while moving which makes large and heavy furniture safer and easier to carry.
- It protects furniture from rain, snow, dust and dirt by creating a tight seal around the item.
- It’s easy to remove when you unpack—just cut the wrap, gather it up and throw it away.
When you use different packing and moving supplies like wrap, bins, boxes and mattress bags, it helps make your move smoother and less stressful. In simple terms, using plastic wrap for furniture can really make moving day much easier.
However, even though this material has many benefits, it also has a few downsides. That’s why it’s important to look at both the pros and cons before buying plastic wrap for your upcoming move.
Disadvantages of Using Plastic Wrap for Furniture
Although plastic wrap is a very popular packing material that helps protect and secure your furniture, it also has a few downsides. One of the biggest concerns is that it isn’t good for the environment. The moving industry already produces a lot of waste and since plastic wrap for furniture can’t be reused or recycled, it often ends up in landfills.
The good news is that you can still help reduce waste. If you want to make your move more eco-friendly and avoid using plastic wrap, you can protect and keep your furniture dry with items like reusable tarps or ponchos, depending on the size of your furniture.
Another downside of using plastic wrap for moving is that it doesn’t provide any cushioning. To protect your furniture from scratches or dents that could happen if it bumps into something while you’re carrying it—or shifts around inside the moving truck—you should place a layer of blankets, towels or another soft material between the furniture and the wrap. As long as you use plastic wrap for moving the proper way, you can help ensure a smooth move without damage to your furniture.
How to Use Plastic Wrap for Moving
As you go through the tasks on your moving checklist, there will come a time when you need to start preparing your furniture for the move. While hiring a professional moving company is usually safer for both you and your belongings—since they handle the packing, wrapping and heavy lifting—here are a few simple steps for using plastic wrap for furniture if you’re planning to handle the move yourself.
- Clean your furniture: Since you’re moving into a clean new home, you probably don’t want to bring dusty or dirty furniture with you. Take some time to wipe down and clean your furniture before wrapping it, so your couches, chairs, tables, dressers and grandfather clock are as clean as your new place.
- Prepare your furniture: Empty the drawers in your dressers and cabinets to make them lighter and safer to move. If any of your furniture has shelves, legs or delicate parts, carefully remove them and place them in a clearly labeled box or bag so you can easily put everything back together when you arrive at your new home.
- Gather your wrapping supplies: Before you begin wrapping your furniture, make sure you have everything ready, including blankets, tape and plastic wrap for furniture.
- Place blankets over your furniture: It’s a good idea to add some padding in case the furniture bumps into a wall or doorway while you’re moving it. Cover each piece with blankets, leaving a little overlap if you’re using more than one. Try to fold the corners neatly, similar to wrapping a gift. You may also need to use a bit of tape to hold the blankets in place.
- Wrap each piece with plastic: After the blankets are secured, take your plastic wrap for furniture and start wrapping. Begin by tucking a small part of the wrap into a fold of the blanket or ask a friend or family member to hold it in place. Then walk around the furniture while wrapping the plastic several times, pulling it tight and letting each layer overlap a little. Once the entire piece is covered with plastic wrap, it’s ready to move.
Don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate your work. Using plastic wrap for furniture isn’t the easiest task during a move, so give yourself a little credit for getting the job done.
We’re the Experts on Plastic Wrap for Moving—and Everything Else About Your Relocation!
It’s easy to get stressed out about moving to a new home, especially if you’re planning a DIY move. However, it’s even easier to call Chicago’s favorite movers and let us handle the packing, wrapping and transportation from your old place to your new one! We’re experts at protecting your items with plastic wrap for furniture, packing your clothing and kitchen items into boxes and taking care of everything else needed for a smooth, successful, and stress-free move.
Get in touch with us today to receive your free estimate!
