If you are moving in a short while, you are probably considering getting a bunch of wrap for when you have to pack things up. A lot of people do this, but most of them actually do it wrong. Why? Because plastic wrap comes in different shapes and sizes, and for different purposes.
As professional movers in Chicago we have quite a lot of experience with different packing materials. That is why we can give you some advice on what to do with the different kinds of plastic wrap that you are going to find.
Today we are going to cover how exactly to use plastic wrap, which type is best for what purpose, and why you may not even want to use it in the first place. Let’s go!
Do You Even Need Plastic Wrap?
Let’s be honest here – the environment matters. Plastic causes a lot of issues for the planet, so the less we use of it the better. That being said, sometimes you just can’t avoid it, can you? But if you can, you probably should. In the case of moving, it is safe to say that plastic wrap is not always necessary.
For example, you can use packing paper to wrap smaller items (such as dishes, china, etc.). Many people resort to plastic wraps for that purpose, but first of all – stretch wrap for example does not work as cushioning if you do not use a lot of it, and second of all – it does not offer that much protection either.
So if you need plastic wrap for cushioning, go with bubble wrap. However, paper can be used for many things in place of bubble wrap too. So when is plastic wrap adequate?
DO Use It For Furniture
One of the best uses for stretch wrap is when you have to protect your furniture. It can act as an additional layer that protects your upholstery. Additionally, plastic wrap can be useful to wrap different pieces together as well. Perhaps you can wrap drawers separately and if you have disassembled your furniture, you can wrap the different parts with their corresponding screws for example.
That being said, you should know that plastic wrap is not simply a protective thing. In fact, if you want padding, you are much better off with bubble wrap again. However, did you know that you can actually pair the two? You can pad the desired item and then use the stretch wrap for it.
Plastic wrap is also great to hold things together. If you want to move an entire cabinet together, you can use the wrap to keep the drawers from moving. Just be sure to use enough of it, or it may tear (even though it is fairly resistant to that).
Conclusion
Plastic wrap has its uses, but you have to know what you want out of it. As you have seen, it is not the best for padding, so avoid using it for that. On the other hand, it does add a decent layer of protection for your furniture, even if it doesn’t provide much simply on its own.