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Cheap packing materials for moving house
Comments
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We have moved three times in the last four years (not by choice I hasten to add) and have never bought any packing materials.
We haunted all the supermarkets and grabbed banana boxes and fruit boxes as they were emptied. Banana ones are best as they have lids, but all fruit boxes are reinforced, stack well and have finger holes for lifting.
The movers don't want to use them as they "think" they have lift and carry more, however, we didn't give them an option and they all admit that, in the end, they are just as good as ones made specially.
Of course, they aren't deep enough for some items, but are amazing for things like books and are easy to carry about after the move as you unpack.0 -
Ikea blue bags - they cost 50p each, hold a lot and have long as well as short straps so I use the long straps to close the bag by tieing in a bow, and carry by the short straps. They are very sturdy so fantastic for heavy things, and you can use them endlessly afterwards. I use mine instead of a laundry basket and store my linens in them on the top shelves of a cupboard, easy to get down by tugging at one strap without needing a step stool, also for xmas decorations etc.
Otherwise freecycle, there are always packing materials being offered, or try places that sell fridges and washing machines like Currys, go round the back and ask for the big boxes before they crush them.
Wrap delicate things in towels, and use pillowcases for books, you won't need much bubble wrap.0 -
Pillowcases for books is a fab idea!! Definitely nicking that one!
When you sort through paperwork save up all your shredding stuff and use it instead of bubble wrap. Can be a bit messy but nothing a hover can't handle, and it's free.Father Ted: Now concentrate this time, Dougal. These
(he points to some plastic cows on the table) are very small; those (pointing at some cows out of the window) are far away...
:D:D0 -
+1 for supermarket spare fruit & veg bubblewrap - ask at customer services, agree a time to collect & you may walk out with boxes full!
+1 for freecycle/freegle for those who have just unpacked & are gazing at all that packing stuff in dismay!
We've used George at Asda boxes - big & husky & banana boxes - big & stackable, but can get heavy.
Any off-licence spirits boxes - double layer corrugated cardboard & small enough to be still liftable when full of books. (May disconcert new neighbours.)
My colleagues who run the stationery cupboard have a lovely knack of having a tidy up & ensuring thick felt tips & a couple of rolls of the broad sellotape emerge as "spare", but then they're wonderful supportive folks.
We bundled bedding sets into one of the pillowcases (& wrote in marker on the pillow washlabel S-ingle, D-ouble or K-ing)
Do make sure kettle, mugs, teaspoons, sugar, tea, coffee, steriliser & feeds, glasses & at least one bottle of fizz are secured in passenger footwell so you can find them easily. (We keep vinegar, brown sauce, ketchup & a few other condiments in the door pocket so any emergency fish & chip supper has exactly what each individual wants.) Can spanner & corkscrew on most multitools & penknives - check! then tether to handbag or gaffer to steering wheel as taste permits.
All good luck with the move!0 -
In my last move I used a removal company that provided boxes - but in previous moves, we used to raid the cardboard recycle bin behind a row of shops, which was always full of neatly folded boxes.Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning0 -
Used banana boxes from the supermarkets are really strong and can stack. Take 3 boxes and cut one up to make a base for the other 2 as they have a hole in the bottom. These can be better than the plastic boxes you can buy - unless they get wet.0
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ooh there are some lovely,useful tips on here - im taking a break from packing the flat up at this very moment!
I also raid the supermarket for bubble wrap, they usually dont mind as long as the fruit/veg crate it is in is nearly empty. I also use the wine boxes at the checkout for fragile things like picutre frames and ornaments as they are small enough to put in the car.
I have been lucky enough in the past to bag some cardboard crates on freecycle from a couple who had emigrated from Australia with paper and bubble wrap. I dont think there is any need to pay for packing materials for a house move, everything is out there for free...!
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I got bubble wrap and boxes from Freecycle. I went into local Waterstones for empty book boxes, as the other boxes were very big and too heavy when filled with books.0
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Father Ted: Now concentrate this time, Dougal. These
(he points to some plastic cows on the table) are very small; those (pointing at some cows out of the window) are far away...:D:D0
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