The Complete Guide to Essential Moving Supplies

Moving boxes are necessary for any move. If you’re on a budget, you can collect free boxes but keep in mind that many are designed to be as light as possible, so they won’t have the strength to hold heavy items. Save light-duty boxes for items like pictures or small décor.

Your move will go smoother when the majority of boxes are a uniform shape and size. It makes them easier to stack so you can maximize the volume of your moving van or trailer.

At a minimum, you’ll want three box sizes: small, medium and large. Use smaller boxes for items like books and tools. Medium boxes can hold small appliances, toys and office supplies while large boxes can be used to transport pillows, clothing and linens.

It’s also helpful to color code boxes by room using colored stickers or markers to help the movers know where to place each box.

Bubble wrap, packing tape and foam are all must-haves for dealing with dishes, glass and anything else that’s easily broken or chipped. The best way to keep your items safe is to carefully wrap each one in bubble wrap and ensure there’s enough cushion inside the moving box. Secure the top of the box with packing tape and clearly label it as fragile.

If you have too many items to wrap, go with a specialized dish and glass packing kit. They’re designed to safely transport fragile kitchenware to avoid accidents.

These wheeled tools will save your arms, legs and back come moving day. Use them to transport multiple boxes, washers and dryers, furniture and anything else that’s large and heavy.

Check the weight-rating on your hand truck or dolly before loading it. Consider one with inflatable wheels as it will roll smoother and help protect your floors.

Properly labeling your boxes will make the process of packing and unpacking easier. A label maker removes the stress of unpacking by allowing you to plan which box to open and when. Avoid the guessing game of opening every box to find that missing item and instead go right to the box you need.

If a label maker is unavailable, then white tape and a marker will get the job done.

A basic tool kit is useful when disassembling and assembling furniture during a move. Having a readily available set of Allen keys, screw drivers, wrenches, scissors, a utility knife and a drill driver can prepare you for almost any task on moving day.

Keep these tools unpacked and close by so they’re easily accessible.

Designed with extra padding and rip-resistant nylon fabric, moving blankets are ideal for preventing damage to surfaces and furniture.

Moving blankets are essential for wrapping mirrors, artwork and other large objects susceptible to scratches and tears. They’re also helpful for protecting floors and appliances from getting scratched and dented.

Furniture sliders are handy pads that go under the legs of tables, chairs, sofas and sideboards. They’re meant to help furniture slide across the floor without leaving scratches as these items are moved into place.

Choose from adhesive or non-adhesive pads. Adhesive pads are great for items like dining room chairs that may be used regularly. Use non-adhesive pads for items that won’t be moved once they’re placed, like a bed or sofa. These sliders can be reused the next time you move or whenever you want to rearrange furniture.

If you’re dealing with stairs or uneven ground and need to transport heavy appliances, your best bet is to use moving straps. These clever contraptions allow two people to transport heavy appliances by distributing the weight across shoulders or forearms. This saves your grip and back from the stress of heavy lifting.

Tie downs are superior to bungee cords for securing heavy loads to the bed of a truck or trailer. Bungee cords are solely designed for non-weight bearing use, so save these for other jobs.

Do not exceed, or come close to, the weight capacity of your tie downs. This will ensure that your cargo is safely transported, even across bumpy terrain.

For light duty work, cam tie downs are much easier to operate. The simple mechanism allows for a basic pull to tighten and a press of a button to release. But, for heavy loads a ratcheting tie down will provide added strength and security.