How To Use Plastic Wrap When Moving

When you decide to move, it can be challenging to determine what materials you will need. Packing up all your worldly possessions can be a difficult task which is why you need to utilize all available resources to try and make it easier. Everyone knows the general moving materials like boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, but you need another item.

If you do plan to move, you should consider utilizing plastic wrap. This material is one of the most convenient moving items. It can help speed up the entire moving process and make it more efficient, especially if you plan to do a DIY move. Should you be curious about why you should use plastic wrap and how to use it, we hope to answer your questions, so read on to learn more.

Before moving on, check out these helpful resources –

• Best Interstate Movers – The moving industry is full of shady players. With so much at stake, hiring a top-rated long-distance mover with verified customer reviews is imperative.
• Moving cost calculator – Just enter your move dates, origin and destination cities, and the estimated size of your move, and the magic algorithms will do the rest.
• Best moving container companies – It’s simple. You load and unload, they drive, and you save big bucks.

What is a plastic wrap?

Plastic wrap is also commonly referred to as shrink wrap, cling film, or stretch wrap. This material is a transparent plastic film that is made to be stretchy and wrappable. You might know that plastic wrap is used to wrap food items, but it is also an incredibly convenient moving supply. You can use this material to wrap, bind, bundle, and protect items when moving.

When and why should you use plastic wrap when moving?

Essentially, you will want to use plastic wrap when moving if you want to protect your furniture, artwork, and fragile items from grease, scratches, nicks, dings, and dirt. Unlike other wrapping materials, plastic wrap won’t leave behind any residue or staining after you have finished using it to move. There are a few other reasons you should use plastic wrap, which we have briefly spoken about below.

Durable and tear-resistant: When moving, you will want to use plastic wrap because it is incredibly durable and tear-resistant. Even though plastic wrap is very thin, it is very strong, especially if you purchase moving-grade plastic wrap. This material can withstand a lot of tension which is why it’s ideal for moving furniture. It will cling to itself and provide protective layers that make moving easier and the item less likely to sustain damage.

Versatile: If you thought you could only use plastic wrap for furniture items, you would be incorrect. You can use plastic wrap to cover everything from furniture and kitchenware to precious pottery, glassware, artworks, and books. This material also helps prevent spills, keep protective wrappings in place, and secure loose items like cords and wires.

Recyclable: It’s important always to consider the environment even when moving houses or business addresses. Fortunately, if you use plastic wrap, you won’t need to worry too much about how severe an environmental impact you are causing. This is because most plastic wrap products are specifically meant to be recyclable.

Safe to use: Are you worried that plastic wrap isn’t secure to use? Plastic wrap is specifically designed to be safe to use. It not only sticks to itself and not your furniture, but it also doesn’t leave any sticky residue on any of your belongings. It also won’t cause any damage to furniture items and belongings that have delicate surfaces.

Inexpensive: Moving can be a very expensive endeavor which is why it’s best to use moving materials that won’t cost you a small fortune. Plastic wrap is inexpensive and relatively easy to source. This material comes in various sizes, and regardless of the size you purchase, it won’t be exorbitantly priced.

How do you use plastic wrap to protect furniture?

Now that you know when you should use plastic wrap while moving, you can learn how to use this material. Ultimately, plastic wrap is incredibly convenient for many aspects of your packing and moving process. We have spoken about using plastic wrap on your furniture to demonstrate how easy it is to protect your furniture.

1. You are going to want to start by emptying your furniture and cleaning it. However, you need to make sure that it is completely dry. Ensuring it is completely dry and clean will guarantee nothing is trapped under the plastic wrap to cause stains and damages.
2. Then you will need to remove all detachable items like glass doors, shelving, and furniture legs. Removing these items will make it much easier for you to wrap your furniture with plastic wrap.
3. Next, you will need to cover furniture corners with bubble wrap or foam padding. However, if you have wood furniture, you will want to use paper padding or moving blankets for the corners.
4. Once the corner padding has been done, you will need a plastic wrap product that is at least 15 inches. You can then proceed to wrap your furniture, ensuring you wrap the corner protective covers as well.
5. To wrap your furniture, hold the plastic wrap roll with your fingers on the inside. Then walk around the furniture, slowly unwrapping the plastic wrap as you go along from the bottom up in a horizontal fashion. Remember to have someone hold the plastic wrap to the furniture until you have wrapped it around the item once.
6. After wrapping it around the furniture item once, you must continue to do so until you have created multiple layers and feel it can protect your furniture. When you are happy with your layering, you need to cut it, and it will cling to itself without tape.

What are a few of the best alternatives to plastic wrap?

If you decide not to use plastic wrap for your move, there are a few other products you can look into using. Some of these options will be more expensive and won’t be as convenient or reliable as a plastic wrap product, so keep that in mind when you choose to use an alternative moving supply.

Moving blankets: One of the most common alternatives to plastic wrap is moving blankets. When moving certain belongings like appliances and furniture, moving blankets are perfect for providing protection against outside elements, rain, scratches, and other superficial damages. Although not as durable or effective as plastic wrap, they are an ideal substitute.

Peanuts: Unlike plastic wrap, using peanuts is a messier protective packing alternative. However, they efficiently provide plenty of cushioning inside your moving boxes for the items you are packing away. Since they cushion your belongings, they will protect them when your items are being transported.

Plastic boxes: Many people choose to use plastic boxes to pack away electronic items when moving. These boxes are see-through, so it is easy to determine what you have stored inside them, similar to plastic wrap.

Foam: If you haven’t heard of using foam before, we wouldn’t be too surprised. This alternative moving supply isn’t as commonly used as the other alternatives we spoke about. Foam is ideal for protecting glassware, fine china, and other delicate household items. Often you will be able to buy foam in sheets or as pouches specifically designed for certain item shapes and sizes.

Where can you get plastic wrap for moving?

Since plastic wrap is a common item that has many uses, it is fairly easy to obtain. You will be able to easily source plastic wrap for your move from a local Home Depot, Walmart, Office Depot, or similar store. Additionally, if you are looking for the most durable types of plastic wrap, you can purchase it from a moving company or store that stocks moving supplies.

If you don’t want to physically travel to a store to buy a plastic wrap, you can easily order it online. Many online stores stock this product, such as UHaul.com and Uline.com. Additionally, if you are completing a bigger move and choose to purchase plastic wrap in bulk, you will likely find special discounts and save money.

Now you know how to use plastic wrap when next you decide to move. Regardless of if you are making a DIY move or using a moving company, it is a good idea to wrap your furniture and other belongings in plastic wrap to protect them. Since it is an easy product to source, you won’t have any issues finding it. Its convenience, protective capabilities, and ease of use make it a moving supply everyone should consider using.