If you are moving and have a large collection of dishes, fine china, or other breakable materials, then you probably want to make sure that your belongings are properly protected when you pack them for your big move. This means buying the correct packing supplies, like bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is one of the more common essentials used to pack breakables. If you want to use it, though, then you should make sure that you are doing so properly. Keep reading to find out how.

Make Sure The Bubbles Are Placed Inward

You may understand that bubble wrap helps to cushion breakable items so that stress and pressure does not cause them to smash or crack. While this is true, the wrap does have another purpose. It also holds items in place so they cannot shift. To complete this essential purpose, the bubbles must face the object being wrapped. Basically, the small plastic bubbles hold onto the item. 

When the bubble wrap is placed inward, you may find that small plastic circles end up on your belongings. If this is a concern of yours, then make sure to wrap items first before securing the wrap. Use can wrap them in plastic shopping bags or in packing paper. If you want to use packing paper, then newspapers work well. If you are concerned about the inks getting on your belongings, then purchase parchment paper, craft paper, or corrugated board. 

If you do not want to use extra materials to pre-wrap your items, then simply make sure that the bubble wrap is kept out of warm temperatures. The warmth can cause the low-density polyethylene used to make the wrap melt. Thermoplastics are highly susceptible to temperature changes in general, and the plastic can typically be removed with a warm and wet cloth if there is a need. 

Pack Around The Wrap

Items like dishes can be placed directly next to one another when you box them up. However, you want to make sure that you add packing materials around the sides of the items so there is little to no space inside each box. You may decide to use larger bubble wrap to help fill in the space. You can use the larger bubble wrap with one-half inch bubbles to fill in voids around items. However, the wrap is expensive to use when packing a large volume of dishes. To keep costs down, use medium-sized bubble wrap instead of the large variety. This wrap features bubbles that are five-sixteenths of an inch wide. 

Once you pack your items and place them in the box, look for open spaces. If you can feel items shifting when you close the box and gently shake it, then there is too much space around your packed items. Open the box and add packing paper, peanuts, extra bubble wrap, or crumpled-up plastic shopping bags to the spaces. 

If there are large spaces around your items that need to be filled, then opt for air pillows. The pillows can be purchased pre-filled with air. You also have the option of purchasing a large roll of plastic film and an air pillow machine. This machine fills each individual pocket within the film with air. Miniature machines can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. If you need to pack a large house or if you already anticipate spending a great deal of money on packing supplies, then this can save you money in the long run. 

No matter which type of packing material you use, make sure that all boxes are secured with two layers of packing tape on the bottom and the top. If items in your boxes are incredibly heavy, then opt for filament or strapping tape instead of all-purpose packing tape. If you'd rather have a professional handle your packing needs, contact local moving services and ask if they provide packing services.