Over a long period of time, you can accumulate a lot of stuff. Let’s face it: some of it is valuable, some of it is junk. Nevertheless, our humble abode is crammed with furniture, clothes, computer equipment, toys, and the list goes on, particularly if you have children.

This is one of the many reasons why we detest moving. We have to transfer items inside a two-bedroom house into a three-bedroom house. Or, if you’re downsizing, you have to somehow transition from a three-home home to a one-bedroom suite. It’s difficult.

If you’re not a seasoned mover (lucky you), then you likely lack the tricks to alleviate the stress and headaches of moving. One of these tricks? Stretch film.

That’s right. Previously confined to the walls of a factory, everyday consumers can utilize the power of stretch wrap. Since industry uses it to ship or protect crates and pallets of goods, you can take advantage of the material to shield your armoire, chest, or bookshelf from the hassles of relocating to another place.

How can you do it? Here are five ways you can use stretch wrap for your big move:

1. Cover the Drawers to Avoid Removal

What do you think is the most annoying part of moving? Well, we can definitely select one of the dozens of irksome steps: taking the drawers out of your chest and removing the socks, underwear, shirts, and everything else you put inside them.

But you don’t need to do this anymore. Why? Because stretch film can keep them intact.

Here is what you do: keep everything in place and merely wrap the entire piece of furniture around several times. When you arrive to your new home, you only need to take the wrap off.

2. Separate Items? Wrap Them Together

Another bothersome aspect of moving is having to somehow move the awkward, separate items that can easily get lost during the move. Everything from curtain rods to brooms to the rods for your four-pillar bed, these can either get left back or damaged.

The solution is to gather all of these difficult pieces and wrap them together with stretch film.

Sure, you may be unable to wrap them all, but you can have several piles.

3. Keep Your Rugs & Mats Rolled with Stretch Film

A fun aspect of moving – if you can call it that – is rolling your rugs and mats. The hard part is keeping them rolled. There is an easy answer to this conundrum: keep them rolled with stretch film. And, if you wish, you can pile some of your rugs, roll them up, and ensure they stay in this manner with stretch wrap.

4. To Handle or Not to Handle? That is the Question

Here is a question: do you use stretch film with a handle or without a handle.

Depending on who you speak to, some will swear by the handle, while others prefer without.

There are benefits to both: without a handle, you get more stretch film. With a handle, you receive limited wrap. With a handle, it’s easier to wrap your items. Without one, you need to do it by hand, which can add a strain to your wrists, hands, and elbows.

5. Yes, You Can Wrap Furniture Pieces

Similar to those awkward pieces we mentioned earlier, furniture pieces (sofa pillows, lumbar supports, etc.) can be just as hard to move. Rather than transferring them to a separate box, tote, or bag, you can instead leave them on the sofa or chair and simply use stretch film to leave them in their place.

Once you get to your new humble abode, you only need to cut off the stretch wrap and sit down.

Stretch film makes packing, moving, and unpacking a whole lot easy. Movers will even thank you for making it one of the best appointments of their day. So, make your life better by taking advantage of this industrial tool and use stretch film as an aid for your move.