How to Use Bubble Wrap for Packing

So, you’re planning a residential move and looking in dismay at the enormous piles of household goods and personal items that need to be sorted out and packed for shipment? It seems as if you’re going to need the help of a small army of friends to get the task done safely and efficiently enough?

The more help you enlist, the faster and the more fun your packing endeavor will be, of course.  However, your new best friend when it comes to packing may be something of a surprise.

Believe it or not, it is the familiar rolls and bags of bubble wrap that will help you the most when packing for moving. The air-filled material provides the most convenient method for packing and securing your items, as well as the best possible protection for your belongings during shipment – it will prevent scratching and breaking, will absorb any undesirable shocks and vibrations during transit, and will allow you to receive your goods safe and intact.

But what makes bubble wrap so special? Why is it indispensable for packing breakables and sensitive items? How to use bubble wrap for packing correctly? Where to buy it? The secret of bubble wrap is fully revealed below – just keep reading.

Advantages of Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is one of the most practical packing materials available. It provides perfect cushioning, fits any shape, and can be easily secured with packing tape. 

Ever since its invention in the late 1950s, bubble wrap has been widely used for protecting delicate items and awkwardly-shaped pieces during shipment. The reason why is not difficult to understand.

1) Safety

Bubble wrap is created by sealing together two sheets of plastic in such a way that plenty of air is trapped in the middle to form a pattern of bubbles.

The evenly distributed air-filled hemispheres offer excellent protection against shocks and vibrations and can even prevent an item from breaking in case it accidentally falls downs and hits the floor. The articles wrapped in this highly-effective packing material are also well protected from scratching and chipping, as well as from dirt and dust.

2) Convenience

Bubble wrap is very easy to use – all you need to do is wrap an item and seal the protective covering securely in place with packing tape.

The good news is that bubble wrap can snugly fit the surface of whatever object is inside, regardless of its shape and size – so, you can wrap anything in the air-filled material, no matter how awkwardly shaped a certain item may be.

What’s more, bubble wrap comes in various forms (sheets, bags, envelopes) and sizes (large bubbles, small bubbles), so you can easily pick the type that best suits your specific needs and requirements.

3) Cost-effective and environmentally friendly material

Bubble wrap provides perfect cushioning, so you’re not going to need many more packing supplies for ensuring the safety of your items. This will, of course, lower the final cost of your move. Moreover, bubble wrap is lightweight and does not increase the overall weight of your shipment.

Last but not least, it is not as expensive as other specialty cushioning materials, such as foam sheets for example, and can be reused several times (reusing undamaged bubble wrap will not only help you save money, but will also help the environment – you can even opt for bio-degradable bubble wrap which will degrade easily when discarded and will cause no harm to the nature).

4) Fun

Bubble wrap is an excellent source of entertainment – bursting the air bubbles, creating fun bubbly contraptions, and making eco-friendly costumes are just a few examples of the various enjoyable applications of bubble wrap you can come up with after the relocation.

SEE ALSO: The history of bubble wrap

How to Pack With Bubble Wrap

Now that you know just how advantageous bubble wrap is, you may what to learn how to get the most out of it when packing for your move. So, what’s the correct way of using bubble wrap?

Packing with bubble wrap – bubbles in or out

Should the bubbles be facing in or out when using bubble wrap? You may hear some controversial arguments on the matter, but practice (as well as logic) has proven the right answer to this bothersome question to be “inwards”. The air pockets should face the item they are intended to protect:

• The bubbled pattern helps hold the article in place;
• The protruding air-filled hemispheres provide excellent cushioning and prevent damage to the item;
• The bubbled side can adapt to the exact shape of the object wrapped inside;
• The flat side is much more durable for added protection against external impact.

So, you are supposed to keep the bubbles in when packing with bubble wrap.

Use the appropriate type of packing bubble wrap

As already mentioned, you can choose from a variety of bubble wrap types for your packing needs:

• Large size bubble wrap – the air pockets can be as big as 1’’ (26 mm) in diameter. Large bubble wrap is typically used for packing larger household items, such as furniture pieces, and padding large moving boxes – the protective material will easily fill in lots of empty space to add a significant amount of cushioning for your items;
• Smaller size bubble wrap – the most common bubble size is 3/8’’ (10 mm), but you can find air pockets with a diameter of about 1/8’’ (3 mm) as well. Smaller size bubble wrap provides less protection against shock or impact, but better protection against scratches and other superficial damage. It is generally used for electronics, glassware and other sensitive or delicate items;
• Anti-static bubble wrap – regardless of its size and grade, anti-static bubble wrap is designed to protect electronic items, like cell phones, computers and TVs. It dissipates static charge, protecting the sensitive electronic chips;
• Bubble wrap envelopes – CDs, books, small framed pictures and other flat items are best packed into envelopes padded with bubble wrap. They are easy to seal and provide maximum protection for your precious breakables. If you have delicate small items of various shapes, you can use bubble wrap bags (pouches lined with bubbles) instead of envelopes.

There exist other types of specialized bubble wrap as well – Temperature controlled bubble wrap, FDA grade bubble wrap, etc. The different types of bubble wrap are meant for different purposes, so you should be careful to select the ones that are right for your needs.

If you’re not sure where to buy bubble wrap, just check at the local post office, any local moving company, or large chain stores, such as Walmart. You can also order the air-filled material online, especially if you are looking for larger quantities (they will come at a significant discount) or specialized types of bubble wrap.

Of course, it is always a good idea to reuse clean and undamaged bubble wrap you or your relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc. may have from previous relocations. Just ask around.

Related: Where to get packing supplies for free

Secure the bubble wrap tightly in place

Bubble wrap absorbs shock very well and provides reliable protection in case an item is dropped or other articles shift and slam against it. To ensure the efficiency of the air-filled material, however, you need to make sure it will stay securely in place throughout the entire relocation process.

So, when packing with bubble wrap, do not simply attach some tape along the ends – the wrapped item may easily slip out during transportation. Secure the packaging with tape on all sides instead to eliminate any chances of slipping and save yourself lots of headaches and frustrations.

When wrapping with bubble wrap, have in mind that a single layer serves just as a surface protective coating. It is advisable to use multiple layers in order to provide efficient shock and vibration isolation (especially for very valuable or extremely fragile items). Don’t forget to secure each and every layer with packing tape on all sides.

Add extra padding to the boxes

You can hardly find a more efficient cushioning material than bubble wrap. Yet, it alone may not be enough to provide sufficient protection when you’re packing for a move.

Even if you have wrapped your items very securely in bubble wrap, you need to make sure that they won’t shift and bounce inside the moving boxes. To achieve this, you are recommended to fill in any remaining space inside the box with extra padding – crumpled paper, packing peanuts or clothing. The bottom and the sides of the box should also be lined with adequate padding materials, especially if you are packing fragile items.

It is a good idea to close the top of the container and shake it a bit before sealing the box – if the items inside are moving, you need to add more padding for maximum protection.

Make unwrapping safe and easy

When preparing your items for shipment, your ultimate goal will be, of course, to have them delivered to your new home without so much as a scratch. As already explained, bubble wrap can work wonders for protecting your cherished possessions. However, you need to be careful not to ruin it all in the last stage of your relocation journey – during the unpacking process.

# Letting an item slip out of the bubble wrap packaging while trying to cut it open and shutter to pieces when it hits the floor will certainly render your packing efforts pointless;

# Not being able to identify the specific item you need through the multiple layers of bubble wrap will result in lots of wasted time and nerves; and so on.

Therefore, when using bubble wrap for moving, make sure you:

• Label the individual packages. Bubble wrap is hard to see through, especially when you have used several layers of it around an item. Therefore, you may not be able to figure out what object is wrapped inside when unpacking and may have to unwrap several items until you find the one you need. To prevent such confusion and save time (and materials), you can use white masking tape to seal every individual package and write on it the name of the item that is wrapped inside;
• Unwrap with care. The safest way to take an item out of its bubble wrap packaging is to cut the sealing tape away. Just make sure you have placed the package on a solid surface first – if you are holding the object in mid-air while removing the bubble wrap, the item may slip out and fall to the floor. The carefully removed bubble wrap can be recycled or kept for future use.

Following the above bubble wrap packing tips will help you pack your belongings in a safe and efficient manner. But do you know which of your items to pack with bubble wrap?

What to Pack With Bubble Wrap

You can wrap virtually anything with bubble wrap, of course, but certain items require better protection than others and will benefit most from the supreme protective qualities of the air-filled material.

Fragile items

There is no such thing as too much protection for your extremely fragile items. The more securely you wrap them for shipping, the greater the chance to receive them intact. So, do not be sparing of bubble wrap when it comes to:

• Chinaware – To properly protect each and every delicate plate, saucer, and cup you possess, you need to wrap them in clean packing paper first and then in a protective layer of bubble wrap. Place some bubble wrap inside the cups (or bowls) for support and wedge some of the air-filled material between the cup’s handle and the body of the cup to prevent the handle from breaking. Secure with packing tape. Don’t forget to line the box holding your chinaware with crumpled paper or packing peanuts for extra cushioning and add an extra layer of bubble wrap on the top. (See also: How to pack dishes for moving);
• Glasses – Glasses top the list of the most easily damaged items during relocation, so you need to be extra careful when packing them. Glasses that have long, thin stems (such as wine glasses) and very valuable glasses (crystal ones, for example) should be wrapped individually with bubble wrap and arranged in celled boxes. Needless to say, you need to cover the glasses with another layer of bubble wrap before sealing the box. (See also: How to pack glasses for moving);

• Vases – Awkwardly shaped and made of delicate materials, vases are very susceptible to damage. Once again, it is bubble wrap that provides the best possible protection. To wrap a vase, set it on its side on a sheet of bubble wrap, roll it until it’s thoroughly covered, and secure the protective layer in place with packing tape (pay special attention to the top and bottom of the vase to make sure they are safely wrapped and taped as well). Consider packing your tall, elongated vases in specialty boxes to ensure your peace of mind. (See also: How to pack vases for moving);
• Artwork – Figurines, paintings, and other valuable pieces of art need maximum protection when being relocated from one place to another. To prevent damage during transportation, you are advised to wrap them in packing paper first (to protect the delicate surface from the plastic bubble wrap that may get stuck on the item if it is left under direct sunlight or near a heat source for prolonged periods), and then in several layers of bubble wrap. Secure the bundle with packing tape. (See also: How to pack paintings for moving);
• Mirrors – Mirrors can easily crack and break during shipment. You are recommended to place a layer of packing paper on the glass surface, coat the mirror in bubble wrap with large air pockets, and wrap a few circles of packing tape around it. Both mirrors and framed paintings are best transported in specialty picture/mirror boxes for maximum protection. (See also: How to pack pictures and mirrors for moving)

Make sure your breakables won’t shift inside the boxes during transportation (you can always use some more bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled paper to provide extra cushioning). Secure the boxes with packing tape and mark them “FRAGILE” and “HANDLE WITH CARE”.

SEE ALSO: How to pack fragile items for shipping

Sensitive items

Bubble wrap can ensure the safety of your most sensitive possessions – expensive ones, as well as ones with high sentimental value.

• Sensitive electronics – Electronics are extremely delicate and can be easily compromised – even the slightest impact may result in irreversible damage, not to mention the effect of static-induced electric charge. Anti-static bubble wrap will help cushion any accidental impacts and will protect your ESD (electro-static discharge) sensitive electronic products. (See also: How to pack electronics for moving);
• Sentimental items – Without a doubt, you are going to pack your cherished possessions with utmost care. Wrapping family heirlooms, precious old books, exquisite toys, and any other delicate objects and keepsakes you hold dear for one reason or another, with bubble wrap is your safest, easiest and most efficient packing option.

Furniture

Bubble wrap for moving furniture? That may sound somewhat excessive. However, while wrapping an entire piece of furniture with the air-filled material may not be worth it (unless it is a valuable antique or highly treasured family heirloom), certain furniture parts are best packed in bubble wrap.

• Glass elements – Glass tabletops, glass shelves, glass cabinet doors and any other glass furniture parts are all very fragile and extremely difficult to move. To ensure the best possible protection for these delicate items, you need to remove them from the rest of the furniture piece, wrap them in packing paper, and use several layers of bubble wrap to provide sufficient cushioning against shocks and vibrations during transit. Secure the coverings with packing tape and wrap the bundles in moving blankets (or any old blankets) or place them in specialty boxes for optimal protection;
• Protruding parts – furniture legs, door handles, drawer knobs, and other protruding parts can easily break off during transportation. To prevent such undesirable incidents, you should wrap these protruding elements in bubble wrap and wedge some of the air-filled material between them and the main furniture body (if applicable). You’ll need packing tape to hold the bubble wrap in place, of course. Also, have in mind that furniture edges are quite vulnerable to scratching and chipping during relocation and consider having them wrapped in bubble wrap as well.

SEE ALSO: How to pack furniture for shipping

All things considered, bubble wrap is your best bet when packing anything delicate, fragile, valuable, or oddly-shaped. On top of it, bubble wrap is a great moving stress reliever – the popping sound that can be heard when the air-filled pockets burst is believed to work miracles for your nerves and your mood. No other packing supplies can boast such versatile uses.

Can you think of any other ways to use bubble wrap when packing for a move? Please, share your creative ideas with us in the comment section below!