Bubble wrap and cushioning

Air is the best shock absorber in a moving box. Bubble wrap packages it into a sheet you can fold around any shape. It is the right layer for glass, small electronics, ceramics and decor, and the wrong layer for nothing much else. Knowing which side faces the item and how much overlap to use makes a roll go a long way.

At a glance

• Absorbs knocks with trapped air
• Small bubbles for light items, large for heavy ones
• Bubbles face the item
• Wrap and padding sold at the Sparks office

What bubble wrap protects

Use bubble wrap for items that need cushion more than they need separation: lamps, vases, picture frames, small electronics, collectibles, glass shelves and the corners of mirrors. For plain dishes, packing paper is usually enough, with bubble wrap added around the most delicate pieces. Large bubbles absorb more shock and suit heavy or sharp-cornered items, and small bubbles fit around delicate shapes.

How to wrap with it

Wrapping tightly matters more than wrapping thickly.

1. Cut a piece large enough to go around the item at least twice.
2. Place the item at one edge with the bubbles facing it.
3. Roll it up, folding the ends in as you go, so no corner is bare.
4. Secure the wrap with tape on the wrap, not on the item.
5. Add an extra layer on corners, handles and anything that sticks out.
6. Put the wrapped item in a box with paper around it, so it cannot touch the walls of the carton.

Where wrap goes wrong

Wrap protects against knocks, not against pressure. A stack of heavy boxes on a thin wrapped item can still crush it, which is why fragile pieces belong in a carton with a firm wall around them. Choosing the right carton matters as much as the wrap: see the mirror and picture boxes and TV and electronics boxes pages.

Wrap, pads and crates

Bubble wrap covers the small and the delicate. Furniture needs moving pads, and valued art, glass or antiques may need a custom crate built by O'Brien's. The how to pack artwork guide and the lamp guide go through specific cases.

Picking up padding in Sparks

At 2277 Glendale Ave in Sparks, O'Brien's carries a full line of boxes, packing wrap or padding, and professional tape, from moving boxes to bubble wrap. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, phone 775-359-6683, and standard and custom supply price sheets come on request.

The estimator who visits your home gives you 10 free heavy-duty boxes with the free estimate. Use the packing calculator to size up how much wrap your rooms may need.