The Ultimate List of Things You Need for Packing to Move

Packing is often one of the most time-consuming steps in the moving process. In fact, you may never realize exactly how much stuff you have accumulated into your home, until you start packing for a move. There’s no shame in that, we all have a little bit of a pack rat inside of us! Is a house really a home unless you’ve filled it up with your personal belongings? No, not really.

The Choice Between Packing Services and DIY Packing

Unless you have embraced minimalism to an extreme degree, chances are you’ll have to pack a lot of household goods before you can move into a new home. The easiest and fastest way to complete this step is to let our Minneapolis full-service movers pack your things for you. However, some people value the freedom and control that comes with packing their own personal belongings. If you do choose the DIY packing route, don’t skimp on packing materials.

Some Essential Moving Supplies May Not be Obvious

Things like moving boxes and tape are obviously essential moving supplies, however there are a multitude of other things you’ll need for packing to move that are less obvious choices. When completing a relocation, our Minneapolis movers use some packing materials for moving that may not come immediately to mind for you, especially since some are specialty packing materials. That’s why our Minneapolis-St. Paul moving company has compiled a comprehensive list of essential packing and moving supplies.

The Ultimate List of Packing Materials for Moving

Essential Moving Supplies

Boxes

It’s best to get as many boxes in varying sizes (small, medium, and large) as you need. If you aren’t entirely sure how many boxes you need, err on the side of caution and overestimate the amount.

Cushioning

Putting household goods into boxes without proper cushioning can lead to damage. Secure your items within their boxes by stuffing the following packing materials into all empty spaces and gaps.

• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Packing peanuts

Tape

Packing tape is durable and the most convenient option. If some of your boxes need more reinforcement, use a stronger tape like strapping tape or duct tape over the packing tape.

• Packing tape
• Strapping tape
• Duct tape

Labeling materials

Labeling your boxes makes unpacking so much easier. Either write directly on the box or write on top of white masking tape. Use black permanent markers to list what’s inside the box and multicolored markers for room color coding.

• Black sharpie markers
• Multicolored markers
• Masking tape

Basic Packing Tools

• Scissors
• Box cutters or utility knife
• Dolly

Furniture and Appliance Protection

Padded moving blankets are essential moving supplies when it comes to transporting your furniture and larger appliances safely. For extra protection, apply stretch wrap on top of moving blankets. Rope and bungee cords tie down large items and boxes to prevent any sliding.

• Moving Blankets
• Stretch wrap
• Rope or bungee cords

Other Moving Containers

Instead of boxes, you can use heavy-duty trash bags or luggage suitcases for your clothes, linens, and other soft and light belongings. Specialty boxes are designed to protect specific household goods like dishware, glassware, artwork, flat screen TVs, mattresses, guitars, and a ton of other things.

• Trash bags
• Luggage
• Dish and glass pack boxes
• Other specialty boxes

Other Things You May Want to Use

• Tape gun
• Moving gloves
• Floor felt pads and floor protection film
• Small tool box
• Cleaning supplies