While finding a moving company is important before a move, so is tracking down things like cardboard boxes and packing material. We’ve created a list of popular moving supplies to make packing easier. You’ll find everything from packing material and plastic wrap to accessories to help move large and small appliances:
The Ultimate List of Moving Supplies for an Easy Move
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Reviewed ByAlina BradfordPacking basics
Putting together a list of essentials will help lessen the anxiety about what packing supplies to get. These are the essential items you can’t do without.
Product description | Product image | Where to buy |
| Bankers Box SmoothMove moving boxes |  | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Duck Brand original bubble wrap |  | View on Amazon |
| Duck Brand foam handle take gun with clear packing tape |  | View on Amazon |
| Bryco Goods paper packing sheets |  | View on Amazon |
| RollRanger tape edge finder |  | View on Amazon |
Boxes
Boxes are pretty much the most important moving supply you’ll use. We recommend getting a variety of box sizes and types to make packing easier. At a minimum, get small boxes for heavy items like books and large boxes for light, bulky items like pillows or blankets. Medium boxes with box dividers work well for fragile items like dishes.
You can also find free moving boxes in places like grocery stores, recycling centers, and office supply companies. You can even post a request for boxes on social media. Keep in mind that used boxes might not have the structural integrity of new boxes, so pack carefully if you go this route.
Cushioning
Of course, you don’t want to just throw everything in a box. Use packing paper sheets to protect fragile items like your dishes. Bubble wrap works well for wrapping up larger or oddly shaped breakables.
Newspaper also provides a frugal, if less effective, option. Just hold on to your newspaper for a few weeks, or even ask your neighbors for their papers after they’re done reading. Just remember that newspaper won’t have nearly the cushioning ability of proper packing supplies, so avoid using it for really delicate items.
Labeling materials
Label your boxes as you pack. Everyone has their own method: some people prefer the simplicity of writing on a box, while others prefer to develop a color code using colored stickers. For a highly visible and clear solution, consider using colored box labels. Whatever you use, be sure to label the boxes on multiple sides.
Packing tape
While you might be tempted to get the cheapest packing tape you find, we recommend spending a few dollars more on quality tape. Cheap tape is often too thin to use easily, and it doesn’t have great sticking power. Stick to brands you’ve heard of. Use a tape gun to dispense tape quickly, and buy your packing tape in bulk rolls to save on the overall cost. You might not think you need much tape, but you’ll use more than you’d expect. And this nifty tape edge finder will save your sanity as the packing goes on and on (I wish I'd had it for my last move!).
Cargo straps or rope
As you load your moving truck, use cargo straps or rope to keep your items from shifting around. Unsecured items can move and cause damage. Cargo straps let you secure your items to the side of the moving truck or to each other. Just make sure your straps are thick enough to secure heavy furniture without breaking.
Moving your furniture and appliances
If you’re transporting furniture, you’ll want these supplies.
Product description | Product image | Where to buy |
| Storage Logic mattress vacuum bag |  | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Topsoon Plastic Sofa Couch Cover |  | View on Amazon |
| Cartman Orange 39-Piece Tool Set |  | View on Amazon |
| 18-inch Stretch Film/Wrap 1,500 Feet |  | View on Amazon |
| KAYGO work gloves |  | View on Amazon |
Furniture pads
Use furniture pads to protect your big pieces. Throwing a pad over your dresser can mean the difference between good-as-new and a huge gouge on top that you see every time you go to get socks.
While you can buy furniture pads, we recommend renting them. You can usually get a dozen pads for between $10 and $20 from a moving company—about the same cost as buying a single pad. Alternatively, you can use blankets as a thrifty replacement. Just don’t expect your blankets to survive the move unscathed.
Furniture covers
These plastic covers slide on over your furniture to protect it. While these covers don’t offer much in the way of padding, they help keep your items clean and can prevent surface damage. Covers can also preserve your warranty on expensive items like mattresses. At a minimum, get mattress bags and couch covers. Just slide the covers over your mattress or couch, then tape them shut.
Dollies and hand trucks
We recommend renting handtrucks and dollies from a moving company rather than buying them, unless you plan to move lots of furniture on a regular basis and have plenty of storage room. You can rent a dolly or hand truck for less than $20—far cheaper than it would be to purchase one.
If you’ll have to move bulky items up and down lots of stairs, consider using wearable moving straps instead of a dolly. These straps make it easier for you and a friend to move heavy items. Make sure you read the instructions to avoid injury from misuse.
Tool set
Though you might not intend to dismantle your dining table, you may change your mind when you’re trying to fit everything in the moving truck. A simple tool set makes it easy to disassemble your table or any other furniture you need to deal with. Keep your tools handy for reassembly at your new place.
Stretch wrap
Stretch wrap has various useful applications in moving. We suggest using it to keep drawers closed on items like dressers and nightstands. You can also use it to protect furniture, especially wood pieces, from scratches and other surface damage.
Cleaning supplies
Get your deposit back with these items.
Product description | Product image | Where to buy |
| Hefty Strong Trash/Garbage Bags |  | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Encore Plastics 250003 70-Mil Regrind Pail/Bucket, 5-Gallon |  | View on Amazon |
Garbage bags
Keep plenty of garbage bags on hand as you move. Use them to throw away trash or pack last-minute items. (They’re great for protecting pillows, for example.) Plus, if you have extras, they won’t go to waste. You can use your garbage bags at your new place.
Buckets
A bucket is invaluable for deep cleaning. Most hardware stores carry inexpensive five-gallon buckets that you can use to clean. Make sure you get a bucket with a lid—after you clean, you can pack items inside.
Broom
You probably already have a broom, so just keep it handy during your move. You’ll want it to clean your old place and your new home. You should also use it to sweep out your rental truck after your move to ensure you get your deposit back.
Small (but important) supplies
These small, inexpensive items can make a big difference.
Product description | Product image | Where to buy |
| Kobalt Utility Knife & 11 Blades |  | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| KAYGO nitrile-coated work gloves | | View on Amazon |
| Sharpie 30001 Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Black, Box of 12 |  | View on Amazon |
Utility knife
A utility knife makes opening boxes a breeze. Just be careful as you use your knife—if you’ve packed your boxes to the top, it’s easy to accidentally cut your belongings as you slice through the tape holding the box shut.
Padlocks
Your moving truck will hold almost all of your earthly possessions. Protect them with a sturdy padlock. While you can pick up cheap padlocks at any supermarket, we recommend splurging a little on a hefty padlock that resists picking and cutting. It costs a little more, but it’s still much (much!) cheaper than replacing everything you own.
Gloves
What’s harder than carrying all your boxes and furniture to and from a moving truck? Carrying all your boxes and furniture with an injured hand. Invest in some work gloves to protect yourself from scrapes, cuts, and punctures. Your hands will thank you.
Plastic baggies
As you disassemble furniture, put screws, bolts, or washers in small plastic bags, then label the bag so you know what the hardware goes to. Keep all these bags in one convenient place so you can quickly find the hardware you need when it’s time to reassemble. Snack- or sandwich-sized bags work best for this.
You can also use gallon-sized bags to hold cords and cables. As you pack your entertainment center, for example, put your console cords in one bag and your receiver cables in another. As always, don’t forget to label.
Permanent markers
Any well-organized move requires lots of labeling. Keep a permanent marker or two (or three or four) on hand to easily label anything. We suggest getting a Sharpie multipack, so you can leave a marker in each room. After all, you have better things to do than search for a writing utensil.
Recap
For the best moving experience, prepare for your move by gathering the proper supplies. Use our list to figure out what you have and what you need. Be sure to get your moving supplies ahead of time so you can be fully ready for your movers and enjoy a safe, well-organized move.
Moving supplies FAQ
You might be tempted to get all your moving supplies from a moving company—after all, it’s a one-stop shop with boxes, tape, and everything else you can think of—but you can usually save money by getting the bulk of your supplies elsewhere.
That being said, you can save money by renting some supplies from a moving company rather than buying them outright yourself.
You can use an online calculator to get a rough estimate of how many boxes you’ll need. Take your estimate with a grain of salt, however—you may need more or fewer boxes depending on your personal packing style and how full your rooms are.
As a rule of thumb, it’s better to err on the side of overestimating. You don’t want to be cramming your fragile dishes in a small box to save room, and you definitely don’t want to run out of boxes at 11:46 p.m. the night before your move.
If you already have plenty of supplies and manage to find free boxes, you might spend as little as $50, even on a DIY move. If you choose to buy absolutely everything, you could spend as much as $500. Most people will fall somewhere in between.
The cost of your moving supplies will depend on what you get. If you’re making a local move, for example, you might not need a padlock since you won’t be leaving things in your truck overnight. Likewise, you may already have some items, like a toolbox and cargo straps.
Obviously, the more stuff you have, the more supplies you need. But if you choose a full-service moving company, your moving package could include most supplies.
Many experts recommend using a wardrobe box for your clothes. This large moving box is one of many specialty boxes that include a rack to hang your clothes. You also use regular smaller boxes if you can easily fold your clothes.
A moving blanket is a thick pad used to cover large items during your move. Some moving companies sell moving blankets. However, as the name suggests, you can also use your own blankets to protect your belongings.
The best reusable moving box is the VENO moving bag. The reusable storage option has a 23-gallon capacity and is made of durable woven materials.
The cheapest small moving box is the Pratt cardboard box. The box holds a prominent place in many moving kits because of its inexpensive $1 price tag.
The best medium moving box is called the Banker’s Box. It has a capacity of nearly 15 gallons, is made of cardboard, and costs approximately $3.00.
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