The Ultimate Guide to Using Plastic Wrap for Moving: Hacks, Tips & Expert Advice

When packing for a move, a task that can feel like a Herculean challenge, the right strategies can save you time, money, and frustration.

While boxes, bubble wrap®, and packing tape often get all the attention, there’s one underrated packing material that professional movers swear by: plastic wrap (also known as stretch wrap or shrink wrap).

This simple material can protect your furniture, bundle items together, prevent spills, and keep everything in place during the moving process.

Affordable, versatile, and surprisingly durable, plastic wrap can make your relocation smoother, safer, and far more efficient.

Why Use Plastic Wrap?

Plastic wrap is one of the most useful packing materials because it’s strong, flexible, and safe for most surfaces. Here’s why it deserves a place on your moving checklist:

• Protects Furniture & Belongings: Shields against scratches, scuffs, dust, dirt, and even moisture.
• Keeps Items Secure: Holds doors, drawers, and lids closed to prevent accidents.
• Bundles Items Together: Perfect for cords, bed frames, silverware, and long, awkward objects like curtain rods or brooms.
• No Sticky Residue: Unlike packing tape, plastic wrap sticks to itself, not your belongings.
• Strong & Tear-Resistant: Professional-grade wrap can withstand heavy loads and tension.
• Affordable & Recyclable: Widely available in multiple sizes and gauges.
• Versatile: Works for everything from protecting couches to leak-proofing liquids.

Pro Tip: Always use moving-grade stretch wrap, not just the thin kitchen cling film. The professional type is wider, stronger, and designed to protect heavy furniture and large household items.

You may also like to read: What is the Best Packing Material? Discover which packing materials give the best protection for a variety of household items.

Best Uses of Plastic Wrap During a Move

Here are the top seven ways to use plastic wrap when moving house:

1. Secure Wrappings and Protective Materials

• After covering your furniture with bubble wrap®, moving blankets, or paper padding, use stretch wrap to hold everything in place.
• This prevents the protective materials from slipping off and adds an extra barrier against dirt and moisture.

2. Protect Against Dust, Dirt, and Moisture

• Plastic wrap creates a tight seal that protects items from stains, spills, and rain on moving day.
• Caution: Never trap moisture under the wrap, especially on wood or leather furniture, as this can lead to mold, warping, or damage.

3. Keep Furniture Doors and Drawers Closed

• Avoid damage and injuries caused by drawers sliding open during transit. A few layers of shrink wrap will secure moving parts and make handling easier.
• Good idea: Wrap plastic bins or even cardboard boxes for extra security.

4. Keep Drawer Contents Intact

• Instead of emptying dresser or desk drawers, wrap the entire drawer with plastic wrap to keep items in place.
• Works best with lightweight items like clothes, linens, or stationery.
• Avoid using it with fragile or heavy items, as this can strain furniture.

5. Prevent Liquid Spills

• Plastic wrap can make leak-proof bathroom products, kitchen condiments, and cleaning supplies.
• Simply remove the lid, place plastic wrap over the opening, and screw the lid back on tightly.
• Result: Zero messy leaks during transport.

6. Bundle Items Together

Shrink wrap makes organizing and transporting awkward items easier:

• Bundle bed rails, curtain rods, or garden tools together
• Stack and secure lightweight items like pillows or stuffed toys
• Wrap hanging clothes directly on hangers to move them quickly

7. Secure Power Cords and Wires

• Loose cables can be a tripping hazard. Use plastic wrap to bundle cords neatly and attach them to their appliances or devices.
• Bonus: Wrap rugs and mats tightly so they stay rolled up and easy to carry.

You may also like to read: Packing Tips for Moving. In this guide, you will find over 100 packing tips for every item that is commonly found in a home.

How to Plastic Wrap Furniture for Moving

Plastic wrap is especially effective for sofas, chairs, tables, and dressers. Here’s how to do it safely:

Prepare Your Furniture

• Empty drawers and cabinets
• Clean and dry surfaces completely
• Disassemble parts like legs, shelves, or glass panels
• Add Protective Padding
• Cover corners and delicate surfaces with bubble wrap® or foam
• Use moving blankets or paper padding for wooden and leather furniture
• Never wrap wood or leather directly, as condensation can ruin the finish. Always add padding first.

Wrap the Furniture

• Start from the bottom and work your way up
• Walk around the piece while holding the roll, applying even tension
• Overlap layers for maximum strength
• Cut with scissors when fully covered
• Safe for: fabric furniture (couches, upholstered chairs)
• Not safe directly on: wood, leather, artwork

You may also like to read: How to Pack Furniture for Moving. In this guide, you will find comprehensive packing instructions for furniture commonly found in a home.

How Much Plastic Wrap Do You Need?

Here’s a rough estimate based on the size of your move:

1–2 bedroom apartment:

• One roll (15” x 1500’ or 20” x 1000’) + one smaller roll (5” or 10”)

3–4 bedroom home:

• Two large rolls (20” x 1000’ or 1500’) + one small roll

Larger homes or heavy furniture loads:

• Three large rolls + two small rolls

Always round up; running out mid-packing wastes time.

You may also like to read: How Many Boxes for Moving? In this guide, we show you how to calculate how many boxes you are likely to need when packing your home contents.

What Type of Plastic Wrap Should You Buy?

Not all shrink wrap is the same. Consider these options:

Width:

• 5” or 10” = small items, cords, drawers
• 18”–22” = furniture and large appliances

Thickness (Gauge):

• 65 gauge = light-duty
• 80 gauge = stronger protection

Cast (Pre-Stretched) vs. Blown:

• Cast = lighter, sticks better, easier to apply
• Blown = tougher, handles heavier loads

Clear vs. Colored:

• Clear is the safest choice as colored can stain in the heat.
• If you are wrapping your boxes to keep them dry, it enables you to see what you have written on the box.

With or Without Handles:

• Handles make using the rolls easier, especially the larger rolls

You may also like to read: Plastic Totes for Moving. In this guide, we look at why using plastic tote boxes for packing is such a good idea.

Where to Buy Plastic Wrap for Moving

You can purchase shrink wrap at:

• Big-box stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart)
• Online retailers (Amazon, Uline)
• Moving supply companies
• Truck rental centers (U-Haul, Penske)
• If you hire professional movers, they’ll typically bring high-quality stretch wrap and apply it correctly for maximum protection.

FAQs About Plastic Wrap for Moving

• Q: Can I use kitchen cling film for moving?
• A: No. It’s too thin and narrow. Always use moving-grade stretch wrap.
• Q: Is plastic wrap safe for all furniture?
• A: Safe for fabric, metal, and plastic. Avoid direct contact with wood and leather.
• Q: Can I reuse plastic wrap?
• A: Not effectively – once cut, it loses tension. However, it is recyclable.
• Q: What’s better for moving – tape or plastic wrap?
• A: They serve different purposes. Use tape for boxes; use plastic wrap for bundling and protecting items.

You may also like to read: How Much Is It to Hire Packers. Save yourself the stress, inconvenience, and time of packing by hiring professional packers; it is the best money you will spend during your move. Discover what amazing value for money good packers are in this guide.

Shrink-Wrap is a Must-Have Packing Supply

Plastic wrap may not be the first packing material you think of, but it’s one of the most cost-effective and versatile tools for a safe, efficient move.

Whether you’re preventing leaks, protecting furniture, or bundling items together, shrink wrap is a must-have packing supply that saves time and prevents costly damage.

If you’re moving soon, stock up on a few rolls of professional-grade stretch wrap. It’s a small investment that pays off big time.

Be sure to check out our home moving blog, which is packed with more guides to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.

Bubble Wrap® is the registered trademark of Sealed Air Corporation.