Moving Boxes and Packing Materials in Dammam: The Full List and How to Estimate the Quantity

Bubble wrap and paper: when to use which

Bubble wrap is excellent for fragile items with smooth surfaces such as glass, mirrors, ornaments and screens, because it absorbs shocks and clings to itself. Paper (crumpled paper, clean newsprint or packing paper) suits plates and pots because it fills gaps and separates pieces. Marble and glass should not be wrapped in paper alone but in bubble wrap with cardboard on the edges.

Do not use printed newspaper on light-coloured items or fabrics because ink can transfer. For shiny pots and crystal prefer soft white paper or bubble wrap. If you have valuable old china or plates, ask us about the best way to pack them.

• Bubble wrap for glass, screens and ornaments
• Paper to fill gaps between dishes
• Avoid newspaper on light fabrics
• Separate each plate with a layer

Covering large furniture: blankets, covers and tape

Large furniture is not boxed but covered. Thick blankets protect wood from scratches and absorb knocks, and plastic or fabric covers protect upholstery from dust and dirt. Tape must not go directly onto leather or polished wood because it can leave marks; it goes on the cover itself or on the edges.

Mattresses have special covers that close completely, and mirrors and glass doors have corner protectors. Large wardrobes get a blanket layer then tape around the cover to hold it. Ask us to estimate the blankets needed according to the number of large pieces.

How to estimate the number of boxes for your home without overdoing it

The easiest way is to count what needs boxing: a kitchen with many utensils needs more small and medium boxes, a bedroom with lots of clothes needs wardrobe boxes or bags, and an office with books needs several small boxes. Then add a margin for odd items that only appear while packing. Do not buy everything at once; buy a part, start packing and estimate the rest after two days.

You can send us the number of rooms and a description of the kitchen and cupboards so we estimate with you. If you use our packing service we estimate and bring the materials; if you prefer to pack yourself we tell you what you need of each item.

Items with special packing: appliances, clothes, books and pots

Electrical appliances are packed where possible in their original cartons with the original foam; if none exists, with bubble wrap and a sturdy box. Clothes can go in bags or wardrobe boxes, or stay on hangers in hanging cartons. Each small book carton is filled only up to a carrying limit and never placed over fragile items. Heavy pots such as copper ones and cooking pots are wrapped and set in small boxes.

Finally, liquids such as cleaners and oils are sealed and placed in closed bags inside a separate carton, since a leak can ruin everything around it. Anything that evaporates or burns, such as pesticides and hazardous materials, is not loaded with furniture but disposed of safely.

Local considerations in Dammam when choosing materials

In Dammam dusty and humid days make storing materials before the move important: keep flattened cartons in a dry place away from open windows, and not on a balcony or in a damp store. Strong heat can also make cheap tape lose strength quickly, so use a good type, especially if cartons will sit in a hot truck or store.

For buildings without a lift choose medium-sized cartons for easy carrying, and see our page on moving without a lift. See furniture packing in Dammam for the professional wrapping method and moving with packing for details of the full service.

Common mistakes with boxes and materials

The commonest mistake is filling a large carton with books or heavy pots so it exceeds carrying limits and the base may give way. Others are using old, weak or damp cartons for important items, sealing with weak tape so they open, leaving gaps inside so items move and break, and not writing the contents so hours are lost opening boxes to find something.

All of it is avoided with a simple rule: heavy in small, light in large, reinforced base, filled gaps and clear writing.

• Do not fill a large carton with heavy things
• Do not use damp or torn cartons for important items
• Do not leave gaps inside the carton
• Do not forget to write the room and contents

Screw bags and how to keep parts of dismantled furniture

Many problems after a move come from lost screws. When a bed or wardrobe is dismantled its screws go into a sealed bag marked with the piece name and fixed to the piece itself or kept beside it, not thrown into a general box. The position of parts is photographed before dismantling, boards are numbered where needed, and the instruction sheet is kept if there is one.

For furniture with many parts such as children's cabinets and bookcases each group of screws goes in a separate bag by part. These bags are collected in a dedicated carton marked screws and travel with important items so they are not loaded under heavy cargo.