Creative Solutions For Transporting Items If You're Running Low On Moving Boxes

Many people don't account for all the extra expenses that can sneak up on you when buying a home, including packing and moving. For starters, you need to gather enough moving boxes to safely transport the items in your home. Sure, you can get free moving boxes at Home Depot if you time it right, but they may not be enough. If you don't want to spend money on cardboard boxes, substitute them with items you already own, including suitcases, trash bags, and laundry hampers.

As an added perk, these solutions are eco-friendly since you can repurpose items you own. This can reduce the number of cardboard boxes you send to the landfill after your move. A 2018 report published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency highlights that corrugated boxes accounted for 11.4% (or 33.3 million tons) of the total waste generated. And though 32.1 million tons of boxes were recycled, 940,000 tons still made their way to landfills. So, save yourself some money, and go green by using creative solutions for transporting items when running low on moving boxes.

Why move empty suitcases and duffel bags when you can pack them with items that would take up valuable box space? Since they're spacious, you can use them to transport varied things, including clothes, shoes, toiletries, and books. Additionally, their handles and straps make them easier to carry, and wheeled ones make transporting items even easier. The same applies to your briefcases, although they're more suitable for flat-shaped items, like laptops, tablets, and documents. But, only use ones in good condition to minimize complications on the road.

Assign specific cases to certain people or rooms and pack up the items accordingly. Keep labels handy to mark their contents so you can efficiently unpack after the move. Reserve your hard-shell suitcases for breakable items because they can help protect them from damage. Then, use old newspaper as padding to keep the items safe during the move. If you have a lot of stuff, use packing cubes, like BAGAIL's 8-pack Fabric Set, to organize your belongings and maximize the space in your bags. Keep the weight of packed bags in mind and avoid overstuffing them, especially if they don't have wheels. 

Instead of stacking empty laundry baskets and hampers in the back of the moving truck, use them to transport your belongings. Make sure you pick sturdy ones, or your plan to supplement the meager moving boxes might fall through — literally! Many hampers are deep, making them ideal for moving items you don't have to worry about falling through the holes. Plus, their handles make transporting them easier, and the slits make it easier to see the items inside. They also boost airflow, keeping bad odors at bay and helping to prevent mold and mildew on garments and textiles. 

Line the baskets with a towel to pad the items and cover the holes. If you want to place several things together in one basket, roll up your old shirts and use them as dividers. When packing small or thin items, like utensils or travel-sized toiletries, place them in a bag prior to putting them in the basket. Put clothes, linens, stuffed toys, and other items that can get dirty in a hamper with a lid. Or, fashion one with a towel to protect them from dirt and debris.

If you're taking your old dresser, armoire, or cabinet with you, consider filling their drawers with items. This will help you save your moving boxes for your fragile belongings. You can also use open-top ottomans and storage benches in a similar fashion. Just make sure the pieces you use aren't too heavy, or they could be impossible to move once you fill their drawers. Plus, don't place fragile or hefty items inside since they can get damaged or damage the furniture. And, don't use this trick with vintage or delicate pieces of furniture, or the extra weight could cause wear and tear during transit.

To cushion the packaged items, fill any voids with old T-shirts or socks. Finally, don't forget to secure the drawers to keep items from spilling out. You can use masking tape and moving blankets, like PONGHEI's Furniture Wrapping Set, to ensure the drawers don't come open during transit.

Your backpacks, purses, and beach bags are perfect for storing small items you might lose when moving homes. But that's not the only thing you can put inside. Things you'd rather not entrust to your movers, including expensive jewelry and watches, can all be put inside your purse or backpack. Then, you can keep the bags safely with you, reducing the load in your moving truck. This solution can also make physically moving the items easier since they're spacious, and their straps make them easy to carry. 

Fill your bags and purses like you are going on a backpacking trip to maximize the available space. Position heavy and large items, such as books and pillows, toward the bottom and place lightweight and valuable items on top. Just avoid using the bags for fragile items, like glass sculptures or your prized dishes. And don't overfill any open-top tote bags, or items may spill out during transit.

Grab any plastic and reusable shopping bags out of storage and load them with items to save a couple of moving boxes. Use good quality bags to store your belongings since you don't want them to tear, especially if they'll be covering a long distance. If you have lower-quality ones, like shopping bags, don't overfill them and double bag everything. The same goes for garbage bags. For better support, buy heavy-duty trash bags, like Hefty's 42 Gallon 26-pack Set, that are thick and come with built-in locks or ties. Larger bags allow you to fit numerous items in a single bag, saving you from having to stack lots of small ones.

Fill up the bags with clothes, stuffed animals, and bedding. Pack your hanging clothes by zip-tying the hangers of a few garments together, poking a hole in the bottom of the bag, and putting it on like a cover. Don't use this trick for sharp objects like knives and scissors, or they may rip the bags open and undo your hard work. Fragile items that might break or bend upon impact are also a no-go for this method.

Vacuum-seal bags aren't just a space-saving storage item you need for your closet. They're incredibly helpful during a move, too. This is because they can hold multiple items without taking up as much space. This makes them a great option for transporting bulky items, like your bedding, cushions, pillows, and puffy winter wear. Plus, transparent bags will allow you to see what's inside, so you won't have to label each piece. To enjoy these benefits, invest in high-quality vacuum storage bags, like Cozy Essential's 20-pack Space Saver Set. 

If you have to clean any items before packing them, give them sufficient time to dry. You don't want to put dirty or damp items inside the vacuum-sealed bags since it may cause mildew, damaging your belongings. Fold the items and place them inside, stacking one on top of another. Keep an eye on the fill line to ensure the bags work as promised, and leave a few centimeters around the zipper for a leak-proof seal.

If your old buckets and trash cans are in relatively good shape, you likely want to take them with you. But instead of stacking one inside another, fill them with your laundry room items, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. It's a budget-friendly option because you can use storage solutions you already own. Plus, you get to save the moving boxes for items not fit for a bucket or trash can. However, you may want to limit the number you use since they aren't stackable.

Clean and dry your buckets before putting your toiletries inside, then categorize and label them. Wrap items like toilet paper rolls in newspaper to reduce moisture. Pick up each bucket as you're loading it to make sure you're comfortable lifting it and pack each one accordingly. If you want to cover them, use plastic wrap over the top. As for your trash cans, only use ones that are new or very clean. If have a garbage can with wheels and a lid, clean it, and use it to pack outdoor items like sporting equipment and patio cushions.

Do you have wooden crates that once held expensive wine? Repurpose them as storage solutions when relocating. Although you can pack nearly anything in these crates, prioritize fragile and expensive items that require special care, such as your wedding dinner set and your prized bourbon collection. This is because they are designed to bear the weight of these heavy items without giving out. Even when stacked, wooden crates with dedicated lids likely won't buckle under the pressure. You can use any plastic crates you have handy too. Plus, you can repurpose the crates as a storage solution in your new home. You might have difficulty lifting up crates without handles or that contain too much weight, so pack each one accordingly.

Begin by wiping the wooden and plastic crates clean and lining their insides with old newspaper to cushion the contents. Fill any gaps between the items with packing material, or the movement and bumps along the way might damage them. If your crates don't have lids, cover the opening with a piece of cardboard and packing tape. Then, add a label on each crate to make unpacking less time-consuming.

Rentable plastic moving boxes are perfect for eco-conscious individuals. This is because the boxes are made of durable materials. So, they're sturdy and can hold both heavy and lightweight items. Besides, they'll protect your belongings against humidity and pests. They can also be stacked easily, are available in multiple sizes, and usually feature lids and handles. Since you need to return the boxes after your move, keep in mind that you'll have to unpack your belongings in a timely manner.

To rent boxes when you're moving, go online, check out the companies in your area, and request a quote. The cost will be based on the number of bins you require and the time you need them for. This option might be more expensive than the others on this list, especially if you have to pack a big home. So, it might be best to supplement it with other solutions and your limited cardboard boxes. Another option is to consider this when choosing a moving company and ask if potential movers offer plastic boxes for free. After you finalize a company (for renting the boxes or moving), they'll drop off the boxes at your current location and pick them up again from your new address.