How to Use Plastic Wrap for Moving

10 ways to use plastic wrap for moving

There are different ways that moving-grade plastic wrap can help you out while moving. Though plastic wrap can’t be used as padding, it can provide a protective layer over moving blankets, help ensure drawers and cabinet doors stay closed during moving, and help you bundle together and organize the items you need to move, transport or store.

1. Protecting large pieces of furniture

Plastic wrap can offer extra protection when moving furniture. First, thoroughly clean and dry the furniture to prevent trapping moisture or dirt underneath, which could cause mold or damage to the finish. Once completely dry, wrap the item in a moving blanket to provide cushioning and protect against scratches. Then, cover the blanket with plastic wrap, starting from the top and working down in overlapping layers. Allow extra wrap on the sides and corners so it sticks to itself and creates a secure seal.

Don't wrap furniture directly with plastic wrap without padding, as this traps condensation and damages finishes. Avoid wrapping wooden furniture that hasn't fully dried, and don't leave plastic-wrapped furniture in storage for extended periods, as moisture can cause warping or mold. Never wrap leather furniture directly in plastic — it needs to breathe, so use furniture covers designed for leather instead.

2. Preserving fabric and upholstered items from dirt and moisture

Cover mattresses, throw pillows, cushions and other upholstered products with plastic wrap to keep them clean and dry during the move. This is especially helpful if you're moving on a rainy day or storing your mattress and upholstery temporarily.

Wrap the entire item, ensuring all sides are covered, and overlap the plastic wrap edges so they stick together for a secure seal. Make sure items are completely dry before wrapping to avoid trapping moisture, which can lead to mold or mildew growth.

3. Keeping drawers and doors closed

For items like dressers, desks, nightstands and cupboards, use plastic wrap around the doors and drawers to keep them securely shut during transport.

Start by removing any items that could shift or break, then wrap the plastic around the entire piece of furniture multiple times, creating enough tension to hold everything in place. This prevents drawers from sliding open and getting damaged, protects the contents inside and reduces the risk of injury when carrying the furniture.

4. Securing rolled-up rugs

To make a large rug easier to carry and move, clean and dry the item thoroughly, then roll it up tightly from one end to the other. Wrap the rolled rug with plastic wrap, starting at one end and working your way to the other, overlapping each layer. This prevents the rug from unraveling during transport, keeps it clean and makes it more compact and manageable to carry.

For extra protection, you can wrap the rug in a blanket first before applying plastic wrap.

5. Bundling awkward, long items

Use 5-inch, 80-gauge plastic wrap to bundle and wrap items such as shovels, rakes, bed rails and brooms. Gather similar-length items in a bundle and wrap them together, focusing the plastic wrap at the top and bottom sections to create tight binding points.

This prevents the items from shifting, separating or falling during the move, and makes them easier to carry as a single unit rather than multiple loose pieces.

6. Wrapping artwork and wall decor

When transporting or storing art, framed photos or wall decor, ensure these items are clean and completely dry to prevent moisture damage. Wrap them in a soft blanket or cushioning material, then encase the blanket in plastic wrap for extra protection against moisture, dust and dirt.

Pay special attention to corners and edges, which are most vulnerable to damage. For valuable or antique artwork, consider using acid-free materials and avoid prolonged plastic wrap contact, as trapped moisture can damage the piece.

7. Keeping utensils organized

To keep utensils like forks, spoons, knives and other flatware organized and in their proper places when moving, arrange them in your utensil tray or divider. Then cover the entire tray tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it down into the compartments to secure each section.

This prevents the utensils from mixing together, shifting or falling out during transport, and keeps your silverware drawer ready to place directly into your new kitchen.

8. Sealing open bottles and jars

To prevent leaks from open bottles and jars of liquids, sauces or condiments, first remove the lids completely. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the jar or bottle opening, ensuring it covers the entire rim, then screw or press the lid back on over the plastic wrap. This creates an extra seal that prevents leakage.

For added security, tape the lid closed with packing tape. Pack these items upright in a box and consider placing them in a plastic bag or container as an additional precaution against spills.

9. Binding moving boxes together

After your move, when you have empty moving boxes that you'd like to store for future use, flatten them if possible and stack them by size. Cover the stack with plastic wrap, wrapping it multiple times around the bundle to keep the boxes together in an organized group. This protects them from dust, dirt and moisture while in storage, prevents them from getting crushed or bent, and makes them easy to grab as a set when you need them again.

10. Protecting items in storage

To keep your belongings protected from moisture, dust and debris while in storage — whether in a garage, basement, attic or storage facility — cover them with plastic wrap.

First, make sure all items are thoroughly clean and completely dry before wrapping to ensure you're not sealing in any moisture or dirt that could cause mold, mildew or odors over time. Wrap furniture, boxes or other stored items completely, and check periodically for any signs of moisture buildup, especially in humid environments or during long-term storage.

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What type of plastic wrap is best for moving?

When it comes time to find the right plastic wrap for moving, pay close attention to the different gauges available. The higher the gauge, the thicker the plastic wrap film, according to U.S. Packaging & Wrapping. Most store-bought plastic wrap for kitchen use ranges from 35- to 40-gauge.

However, a lighter gauge may not be best for moving heavy items like furniture. Instead, according to Mr. Shrinkwrap, the industry-standard plastic wrap for moving is 80-gauge, which is best for medium loads up to 2,400 pounds. For heavy-duty loads up to 3,000 pounds, 100-gauge plastic wrap tends to be best, while 60-gauge plastic wrap is used for light to medium loads up to 1,600 pounds.

You should also take into account that plastic wrap comes in different widths, such as 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-inch-wide rolls. “The shrink wrap we use is industrial strength and comes on a pretty large roll, 18 inches wide,” Nancy Zafrani, the general manager at Oz Moving & Storage, a moving company in the New York area, said. Industrial-strength plastic wrap (80-gauge) can be purchased at big box stores such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Office Depot, Staples and U-Haul.

You should also be mindful of the plastic wrap color you choose for your moving needs. “Dark-colored plastic wraps can leave a dye and residue on furniture, especially in hot weather,” Matt Graber, owner of Cool Hand Movers in New York City, said. “Stick to clear as much as possible.”

Plastic wrap vs. tape

Plastic wrap and tape are two tools that are essential in the moving process. However, they both have different uses. “For securing drawers and doors, stretch wrap won't leave adhesive behind if applied directly, like different kinds of tape,” Graber said. “You get the security without the stickiness.” In other words, if you don’t want adhesive residue left on an item you are moving, do not apply tape directly on it. Instead, cover it with a blanket before applying the tape.

Though Zafrani does not recommend moving liquids, she said to use adhesive tape for liquids if you must. This will ensure that a bottle or jar lid does not come off during transport, causing an unwanted spill.

As for moving items into storage, Graber stated that plastic wrap is key: “If the items are going into storage without climate control (like a basement or garage), a layer of stretch wrap on top will help protect against moisture and pests.” An extra layer of plastic wrap protection will also keep dust and dirt at bay.

Where to buy plastic wrap for moving

If you’re looking to buy plastic wrap for moving, you can locate larger rolls at the same establishments where you would find moving boxes: hardware, office supply, shipping and packaging stores.

Think of the big box stores such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Office Depot, Staples and U-Haul. You can also call your local independent hardware stores to see if they have plastic wrap for moving in stock. Online retailers like Amazon also sell plastic wrap for moving.

Some moving companies also offer moving supplies. Simply reach out to a mover in your area to see if it sells plastic wrap for moving.

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