If you are moving to or from Hyderabad then you must hire packers and movers in Hyderabad who will guide you the best about everything.
Durable, weather-resistant, and versatile, plastic packing boxes are gaining more and more popularity as an efficient alternative to traditional cardboard packing boxes for moving. While mainly used for storage, plastic bins make great moving containers too – they offer excellent protection to the items inside them and are very convenient to use.
Moving with plastic containers, however, is not without its challenges and pitfalls – if you don’t use the right type of bins or if you don’t pack them properly, your items can easily get damaged during the relocation.
In order to ensure the safety of your belongings and your peace of mind, you need to know how to pack plastic bins for moving the right way.
Choose the right type of plastic containers for moving
Made of high-density polyethylene, plastic packing bins are lightweight, yet very strong and durable – they do not rip or burst open under their own weight and are much more impact-resistant than cardboard boxes. The brittle plastic material, however, can break under pressure, so plastic bins may get crushed when stacked in a moving truck. Besides, the shape of the moving totes may not allow them to be stacked edge-to-edge, so the resulting bin tower may be quite unstable.
Therefore, if you intend to use plastic boxes for moving, you need to choose resilient containers made of sturdy yet flexible plastic that won’t buckle and crack easily. And you need to make sure the bins are of the same size and have a proper nesting design (the design of the lids should allow the bins to fit snugly on top of another and nest securely in place), so they can be safely stacked.
Make sure everything you pack in plastic moving bins is completely dry
Plastic is impervious to moisture, so plastic moving containers are waterproof – rain and snow cannot damage the bins or get inside them (provided that are properly closed, of course) and ruin your belongings. If there is a damp item inside the bin, however, the moisture will be trapped in the plastic container and may create an environment for mildew and mold growth.
So, the first thing to do when packing in plastic bins is to make sure that every item you intend to put inside them is completely dry. You’re then advised to wrap individual articles in packing paper or soft fabrics before arranging them in the plastic boxes (bubble wrap – which is a plastic material itself – is not the best choice when packing in plastic containers).
Bonus tip: Items that typically shouldn’t be wrapped in plastic (like leather) should not be put into plastic bins either.
Pack the plastic moving boxes tightly, but do not overload them
So, now that everything is ready, it’s time to get to work. But how to pack plastic containers in a safe and efficient manner?
The process is straightforward enough, but there are a few specifics to keep in mind:
Before you start packing a plastic box, line its bottom with crumpled paper or an old towel to create a protective cushioning layer for your items;
Fill the bin to the brim to reduce the risk of caving in when the plastic containers are stacked in the moving truck. Make sure there is a lot of padding on top of the items for extra protection and additional support;
Provide a lot of cushioning between the items in the bin and fill any empty spaces with crumpled paper, packing peanuts, foam sheets, or soft fabrics to prevent shifting during transportation;
Be careful not to overload the plastic moving box or make it too heavy – Plastic packing bins are large and sturdy, but putting too much weight in them is a bad idea – they will become very difficult to lift and carry and that can easily lead to accidents. Besides, if you stack a heavy bin on top of another, the bottom container will be much more likely to get crushed. And remember – you want the lid to close easily, lock on, and stay secure, so you shouldn’t overfill the bin.
Seal and label the bins
As you finish packing a bin, close the lid and gently shake the plastic container to check for movement inside it. If you hear or notice anything shifting, add more cushioning in the box. When you’re sure that your items are completely immobilized, seal the container tightly to make sure that its contents won’t spill out if the bin is accidentally turned sideways or upside down during the relocation.
Plastic moving containers usually have tight-fitting lids that create a waterproof seal. To be on the safe side, however, you’re advised to add a rubber strip to the top of the bin where the lid attaches – so there are no crevices between the bin and the lid through which water might seep in. Alternatively, you can tape the lids down with heavy-duty packing tape or use zip ties to keep the lids securely in place.
Finally, label the bin with its contents, destination room, and any necessary handling instructions (FRAGILE, THIS SIDE UP, etc.). Attach the labels to the bin with clear packing tape. (See also: How to label boxes for moving)
Your plastic packing containers are ready to be transported to your new home.
Bonus tip: When to use plastic bins for moving?
So, now you know how to pack plastic bins for moving. But when should you use plastic moving containers? And what should you pack in them?
You can, of course, use plastic moving bins whenever you want to and put anything in them, but plastic packing boxes are more suitable for some items than for others and, in certain circumstances, work better than cardboard boxes.
Packing in plastic bins is your safest, most convenient, and/or most cost-effective packing option when: