Moving Without Boxes: 10 Alternatives That Actually Work
Cardboard boxes are dependable and cheap, and every mover knows how to handle one. But if you’ve run out just as the moving truck pulls up, don’t panic. Moving without boxes may seem impossible, but you’ve probably got plenty of alternatives within reach. Keep reading to learn what containers you can use for different items.
And if you want to avoid the headache of packing altogether, call College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving. Our expert crews know how to pack your belongings so they arrive safely and securely.
When Moving Without Boxes Without Boxes Actually Makes Sense
There’s a reason cardboard boxes are the gold standard for moving. They’re lightweight, versatile, and easy to reuse. But you don’t have to use them for everything. Containers you were preparing to move anyway, such as suitcases and laundry baskets, can be great alternatives to moving boxes.
The Best Alternatives for Soft Goods and Clothing
Soft articles of clothing, linens, towels, and bedding tend to be the easiest to move without boxes. Most people learning how to pack without boxes start here.
Suitcases and Duffel Bags
Since you’re bringing your suitcases and duffel bags anyway, use them for clothing, blankets, or other soft items. Rolling suitcases make heavier loads easier to move without carrying them across the house. Duffels handle bulky items well.
Pro tip: If you roll your clothing instead of folding it, you can fit more items inside any container.
Laundry Baskets and Hampers
Laundry baskets have sturdy handles that make them easy to carry from room to room. You can fill it with clothing, shoes, or that leftover clutter from the closet floor. A hamper works well for the same reason—especially if it comes with a lid to keep items from falling out.
Trash Bags and Pillowcases
A quality trash bag can hold a good chunk of your closet. Simply hold the hangers together, pull the bag over the clothing from the bottom, and cinch the bag’s drawstring around the top hooks. When you get to your new place, just place the hangers on your closet railing and rip open the bag. Pillowcases are another great flexible item, especially for small objects like socks or handkerchiefs.
If you’re using a professional moving company, check to see if they allow trash bags and pillowcases. If they don’t, they might offer plastic bins you can rent to store clothing or other items more securely.
Vacuum Bags for Bulky Bedding
Bulky comforters and duvets tend to take up a lot of space, which is at a premium in a car or moving truck. Vacuum-seal bags are a great way to save room on bedding and linens. Just place the item in the bag, place a vacuum tube over the insert, and suck all the excess air out of the bag.
Pro tip: If you use a vacuum bag to compress memory foam, allow a few hours for it to completely expand at your new place.
The Best Alternatives for Heavy Items
It’s easy to forget just how heavy most of your kitchen items and cookware are until you have to lift a sagging cardboard box full of them. Those pots and pans, stacks of books fresh off the shelf, and tools from the back shed don’t belong in an oversized cardboard box. You’ve got better options lying around.
Plastic Storage Bins and Totes
Plastic storage totes work well for heavy items like books and magazines because they don’t flex or break the way cardboard can. Remember to avoid overpacking, even with a sturdy tote. If a container takes two people to lift, it’s probably carrying more weight than it should.
Dresser Drawers
If you intend to bring along your dresser and it’s already full of clothing, don’t bother unpacking what’s already there. It’s ready to go. Remove the loaded drawer and wrap it in shrink plastic or a blanket to prevent anything inside from falling out mid-transit. This option saves you time unpacking at your final destination.
Backpacks for Books and Documents
An old backpack is a great option to pack books, paperwork, and important documents. If possible, keep any stuffed backpacks with you or in your car instead of a truck. It’s easy for smaller containers like these to get overlooked when loading and unloading.
Top Box Alternatives for Fragile Items
Fragile and valuable items take a little more planning when you’re using moving box alternatives. If you don’t have bubble wrap or packing paper, towels, blankets, and clothing can provide temporary cushioning for many household items.
Original Packaging
If you’ve held onto the original packaging for electronics and appliances, you’re in luck. These materials are designed to keep those items as safe as possible in transit. Just repack everything, and you’re all set.
Use Towels, Clothing, and Linens as Packing Materials
Try wrapping fragile items like glassware with dish towels or shirts. Dish towels work well for the small stuff, like bowls. But if you have a lot of heavy glass pieces, try larger bath towels. Consider sliding a sock over the top of wine glasses to guard the stem.
Plastic Bins for Dishes and Glassware
Even if you wrap your breakables in towels and t-shirts, you still need a container to hold everything. A hard plastic bin is a safe pick. Set your heaviest pieces on the bottom and fill any empty spaces with soft clothing or washcloths so items don’t shift during transport.
What Not To Pack in Box Alternatives
Stick with traditional moving boxes and packing supplies for irreplaceable items with history or sentimental value. Keep an eye on the weight when you pack these valuables. If you can’t successfully lift the box, you risk the bottom tearing open.
If you’ve booked a moving crew, you should know that some pros may ask you to repack open containers or loosely filled trash bags before loading the truck. Other movers may repack them with proper moving supplies. That adds time, which usually costs more. To avoid that situation, call the moving company ahead of time and ask them what they will and won’t take.
Move Without Boxes Is Easier Than You Think
Successfully moving without boxes comes down to knowing what you have available. Your clothing can stay in the drawer or in a suitcase, but that cast-iron skillet should sit at the bottom of a small plastic tote. Whether you’re using your typical packing materials or making do with what you have, matching each item to the right container helps protect your belongings and makes moving day easier.
Or, skip the hassle altogether and call College HUNKS. Our experienced crews can pack, load, and move the contents of your house with one booking. Contact us today for a free estimate.