What Packing Supplies Do Removal Companies Recommend?

What packing supplies do removal companies recommend when you are getting ready to move house? Boxes and Bubble supplies removals boxes and packing materials across London, with same day delivery available for customers who need supplies quickly, as well as in-store collection for anyone who prefers to call or visit before ordering.

Most removal companies want your belongings packed safely, clearly labelled and ready to move. That means using strong boxes, reliable tape, protective wrapping and sensible labelling rather than weak cartons, loose bags or last-minute supermarket boxes.

The exact materials you need depend on your home, your belongings and how much packing you are doing yourself. However, there are several packing supplies that are useful for almost every move.

Strong Cardboard Moving Boxes

Good quality cardboard boxes are the foundation of a well-packed move. Removal companies usually prefer boxes that are strong, sealable and easy to stack in the van.

You will normally need a mixture of small, medium and large boxes. Small boxes are best for books, paperwork, tools and heavy kitchen items. Medium boxes are useful for general household contents. Large boxes should be used for light bulky items such as bedding, towels, cushions and soft toys.

Using one box size for everything usually creates problems. Large boxes packed with books can become too heavy, while small boxes used for bedding waste space. For a clearer breakdown, read What Size Moving Boxes Do I Need?.

Double Wall Boxes for Heavy Items

Removal companies often recommend stronger boxes for heavier or more fragile belongings. Double wall boxes are usually better suited to moving than thin, weak or damaged cardboard boxes.

Heavy items place strain on the base, corners and seams of a box. If the cardboard is not strong enough, the box may sag, split or become difficult to carry safely.

Even strong boxes should not be overloaded. Books, files, crockery, tins and tools should be packed into smaller boxes so the weight stays manageable. For more guidance, see How Much Weight Can a Cardboard Box Hold?.

Packing Tape

Packing tape is one of the most important moving supplies. A good box can still fail if it is sealed with poor-quality tape.

Removal companies usually prefer boxes that are fully sealed before moving day. Open boxes slow everything down and make stacking harder. Use strong packing tape across the bottom seam, then add extra tape across the edges if the box will contain heavier items.

Do not rely on masking tape, decorative tape or old tape that has lost its stick. Proper packing tape is designed to hold cardboard securely during lifting, carrying and transport.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is useful for fragile, delicate and valuable items. It is often used for glassware, ornaments, ceramics, mirrors, picture frames, lamps, small electronics and decorative pieces.

Wrap each item individually rather than placing several fragile items together. This helps prevent knocks, scratches and pressure damage. For very delicate items, combine bubble wrap with packing paper and use extra cushioning around the sides of the box.

Bubble wrap should be used carefully. It protects against impact, but it does not make a badly packed box safe. Fragile items still need to be placed in a suitable box with gaps filled properly.

Packing Paper

Packing paper is one of the most useful supplies for a house move. It can be used to wrap plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, ornaments and small household items.

It is also useful for filling gaps inside boxes. Empty space allows items to move during transport, which increases the risk of damage. Scrunched packing paper can help keep contents stable.

Removal companies often prefer proper packing paper over newspaper for delicate items, because newspaper ink can sometimes transfer onto belongings. Packing paper gives a cleaner, more reliable finish.

Labels and Marker Pens

Clear labelling makes moving day much easier. Removal companies need to know where each box should go, and you need to know what is inside when you arrive.

At minimum, each box should show the destination room, main contents and any handling notes. For example, “Kitchen, mugs and plates, fragile” is much better than simply writing “kitchen”.

Write labels on the top and at least one side so they can still be read when boxes are stacked. For a full system, read How to Label Moving Boxes.

Wardrobe Boxes

Wardrobe boxes are often recommended for hanging clothes, especially suits, coats, dresses, uniforms and formal wear. They allow clothes to stay on hangers during the move, which can reduce creasing and make unpacking faster.

Not every move needs wardrobe boxes. Folded clothing can usually go into medium or large boxes, suitcases or bags. However, wardrobe boxes are useful if you want to keep clothing neater and avoid emptying everything into standard cartons.

If you are deciding whether clothes can remain in furniture, read Can You Leave Clothes in Drawers When Moving House?.

Archive Boxes

Archive boxes are useful for paperwork, documents, files and office moves. They help keep records organised and easier to find later.

For home moves, archive boxes can be useful for personal documents, study materials, business records and household paperwork. For office moves, they are often essential because files need to remain ordered and clearly labelled.

If you are planning a business relocation, archive boxes can save time after the move because staff can find records more quickly.

Furniture Covers and Protective Materials

Removal companies may use their own blankets or covers for furniture in the van, but extra protection can still be useful during packing and preparation.

Mattress covers, sofa covers, corner protectors and protective wrap can help keep larger items clean and reduce the risk of scuffs. These are particularly useful if items are going into storage or being moved through shared hallways, lifts or tight staircases.

If you are unsure what needs covering, focus on items that are pale, fabric-covered, polished, fragile or difficult to clean.

Essentials Box Supplies

An essentials box is not a special product, but it is something most removal companies would be pleased to see. It keeps the items you need immediately separate from the main move.

Your essentials box might include toilet roll, mugs, tea, coffee, snacks, phone chargers, medication, basic tools, cleaning wipes, bin bags and important paperwork.

This should be labelled clearly as “open first” and kept somewhere accessible. It is also included in Moving House Checklist PDF, which can help you plan the wider move.

Supplies to Avoid

Removal companies usually prefer you to avoid weak supermarket boxes, open bags, overloaded laundry baskets and unsealed containers. These are harder to stack, more likely to split and more awkward to carry.

Plastic crates can work for some moves, but they are not always the best option if you want to pack gradually or keep items boxed after the move. For a comparison, read Plastic Crates vs Cardboard Boxes.

Final Advice

The packing supplies removal companies usually recommend are strong cardboard boxes, reliable tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, clear labels and suitable protection for fragile or heavy items. The goal is simple: make every box safe to lift, easy to stack and clear to identify.

Buy your packing materials early enough to avoid rushing. For timing advice, read When Should You Buy Moving Boxes? and use Complete Moving House Timeline to plan the wider process.

For London customers, Boxes and Bubble can supply removals boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, labels, wardrobe boxes and other moving materials, with same day delivery available across London. For pricing and orders, customers can call or visit the store. Contact us today on 0207 371 8333 or send us a message.