Bubble Wrap vs. Packing Paper – Which Material Is Best for Which Items?

May 18, 2022Moving Tips
Anastasia Hill

Apart from being the next fashion icon, Anastasia is also a freelance writer and expert on moving (and packing clothes).

Are you preparing for an upcoming move and facing the eternal question – bubble wrap vs. packing paper? Using both of these materials has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to protecting different types of household objects. If you’re not sure which material is better in specific situations, you can learn all about their appropriate usage in the following article.

Bubble wrap and packing paper
People often have trouble deciding which material is suitable for which items

If you feel insecure about handling everything on your own, hiring a professional moving and car shipping company might be the best solution. Trained and experienced long-distance movers can offer you convenient packing and moving services. They will use only the best quality materials in order to prepare and pack your inventory for long-distance transportation. Apart from relocating your household belongings, a professional USA auto transport company can offer you long-distance shipping of your vehicle as well, so you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Getting Quality Packing Materials Is Essential if You Want to Ensure You’ll Have an Efficient Move

There is no magic in this world that can help you relocate your items without damaging them if you are not using the right types of packing materials. Now, this is not nuclear science, but it still requires some knowledge. If you’re having a last-minute move and don’t have enough time to deal with research or simply feel like you can’t do this on your own, hiring professionals is always a good solution. You need to know exactly what kind of materials to use for specific objects – for example, what is suitable for packing a TV, and what is a more convenient option for boxing up glasses or some other kitchen inventory such as pots and pans

Every specific object can be protected appropriately with the usage of different materials. This is why it is important to figure out exactly what materials you need and how much of them will be enough to protect your inventory. This is where most people make moving mistakes – they buy too much of the wrong material and not enough of the needed one and end up frustrated for messing up the relocation budget. If you want to lower your relocation expenses, these calculations are very important – and no one will know them better than professional movers. 

Moving Process Requires Proper Organization, and Decluttering Is a Significant Part of It

Relocations are often very exciting, but the whole process can get challenging from time to time. If you want to handle all of your tasks and move efficiently and comfortably, it is essential to organize your move and have a proper to-do list. One of the important things to consider is packing your furniture and other belongings you want to relocate for this process. The first thing to decide is what you are going to move and what to get rid of. Once you have the full inventory list for relocation, you must start wondering about protecting these objects, especially fragile things that might easily break if they are not protected properly. This is when packing materials play the main role – without them, it is hard to go through this process smoothly. 

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Is Bubble Wrap a Good Packing Material? You Can Use It to Prepare the Most Fragile Objects for Moving

Bubble wrap is definitely one of the most popular and useful supplies you can use for protecting your belongings. It is designed for protecting fragile objects and is very convenient for boxing up plates, glasses, and other things made out of glass or china. It is also great for protecting delicate decorative objects like lamps, vases, or figurines. It is overall considered a great material because, with the proper usage, it can successfully protect even the most fragile objects for relocation. 

You Need to Learn How to Use Bubble Wrap Properly

Obviously, it won’t be enough just to roll an item in it. You need to learn how to use bubble wrap properly – step by step:

  • Step 1 – Lay a piece of bubbles on a flat surface (it should be large enough to cover the whole object you’re wrapping),
  • Step 2 – Place the object you’re wrapping on the sheet in the appropriate position.
  • Step 3 – Roll it along all of the edges – don’t leave anything uncovered,
  • Step 4 – Once you have wrapped the whole item, cut pieces of plastic tape and secure it,
  • Step 5 – After the objects are completely wrapped and secured, put them in appropriate boxes (it should be in a size that fits this object – not too big),
  • Step 6 – Add additional cushioning to fill out the remaining space in the box,
  • Step 7 – Close and secure the box. 

Fragile Wooden Objects and Furniture Shouldn’t be Wrapped in Plastic

Unlike some of the glass objects (like kitchen supplies and figurines) that can be perfectly protected with bubble wrap, this material isn’t suitable for some other objects. For example, it’s not good to place it on pieces made of delicate wood. Not only that it won’t protect them properly, but it can also lead to some external damage to the delicate surfaces of these objects. This is why it is not recommended that you rely on this material for protecting wooden furniture.

You Shouldn’t Pack a TV With Plastic Bubbles Directly Either

If you don’t know how to pack a flat-screen TV, you must be wondering if bubble wrap is suitable for this purpose. The answer is no. Plastic can actually be too harsh for fragile flat screen surfaces. It is best to have its original package if you want to protect it properly. Unfortunately, most people don’t keep original boxes, so when the time of the relocation arrives, they start to face some potential problems. It is recommended that you cover it in something soft as the first layer of protection – for example, foam or a relocation blanket. This is also a good method for protecting these items in storage units.

materials for getting packed for move
There are many supplies you can rely on - decide which one is the most suitable depending on the type of item you want to pack

Is Bubble Wrap or Paper Better for Packing?

There is no general answer to this question – both of these materials are good, but for protecting specific stuff. One is better in some categories and the other in others. As we previously mentioned, bubble wrap is perfect for fragile stuff, while paper can be good for other objects – for example, plastic objects or less delicate kitchen inventory. 

Can You Use Paper Instead of Bubble Wrap? Papers Might be More Suitable for Protecting Specific Objects

Papers can be used instead of bubble wrap in some situations – for example, for boxing up dishes and some thicker mugs that won’t break easily. You should roll them in paper and put more of it to fill the inside of these mugs or glasses. Although they are tightly wrapped, you still need to fit them in cardboard boxes in a way that will prevent any unwanted movements inside the box because this might still lead to some damage. You shouldn’t leave space inside the box for glasses and mugs to hit each other.

For maximum protection, you should also put the heavier and bigger objects on the bottom of the box and lighter and smaller objects on top of them. Once the container is full, fill out the remaining space with more cushioning and secure it with tape from all sides. Also, make sure you mark which side of the box goes where. You should label your container so that it is clear that it contains some fragile items inside and clearly mark which side goes down (the one containing thicker and heavier pieces.)

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What Can I Use Instead of Bubble Wrap for Packing?

If you don’t want to pack objects in plastic but still want to ensure you’ll move safely, there are some other materials that you can rely on as an alternative to bubble wrap. For example, one of the cool relocation hacks is that you can roll fragile objects into clothes and towels made of soft fabric. This will keep them safe from breaking in the same way as plastic cushioning. Another great benefit of using this is that these supplies are completely free – in other words, you already have them at your home, so there is no need to buy some new supplies. This is especially convenient if you’re relocating on a budget and want to save on relocation costs

Other Alternative Materials You Can Use During the Relocation Process – Using Newspaper Is the Most Common Choice

Now that you know alternatives for bubble wrap, you must be wondering what to get instead of paper, especially if you want to lower your expenses. One of the best relocation tips is to rely on newspapers instead. This is a great alternative, and the best thing about it is that you probably already have a ton of it at home, meaning you won’t be experiencing any additional expenses. This video can show you what home supplies are suitable alternatives for various relocation needs and give you some interesting ideas. 

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Don’t Forget About Other Important Packaging Materials

Many important packing tips for moving begin with gathering quality materials, but these two protective materials aren’t the only thing you’ll be needing. Some of the supplies you’ll probably have to get during this process are:

  • Cardboard boxes,
  • Plastic wrap,
  • Plastic tape,
  • Labeling essentials.

These are some of the most basic supplies you should get if you’re planning to move – you’ll probably require most of them even for transporting some of the most basic items from your home. Although it might seem obvious for some objects, some specific pieces require additional knowledge when it comes to wrapping them with the proper materials. These are usually some delicate things that might get damaged if you don’t have the right materials to pack them. In order to learn more about the proper usage of these supplies, keep following our moving tips.

Bubble Wrap vs. Packing Paper – Professionals Will Know How to Pack Everything Properly If You Still Can’t Decide

Relocating to another state alone can be pretty challenging, so the best thing you can do to help yourself is to hire a professional relocation company. This will definitely ensure you’ll have a stress-free relocation experience, even if you don’t know how to use plastic wrap or any other previously mentioned material. You can choose a suitable moving company depending on your personal needs and preferences.

If apart from household items, you have to relocate your vehicle as well, professional companies can offer you enclosed auto transport and transportation in an open trailer. You’ll also get to choose from door-to-door auto transport and terminal to terminal car shipping, which leaves you with great options. If you want to find out the potential price of required services, professionals will also offer you a free quote. This makes it so much easier for you to calculate potential expenses and decide which services suit your budget. 

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