Newspaper Vs Packing Paper

Packing paper is one the most important components for proper packing of fragile and breakable items. The question is, should you use regular newspaper, or should you pay for "unprinted news"?

The most obvious advantage of using regular newspaper is the cost. Usually it's free. Just save your old newspapers, or get some from friends and neighbors and start packing.

Once you start packing with regular newspaper, 2 primary disadvantages become quickly apparent. The first big disadvantage to using regular newspaper is the time it takes to unfold the paper flat into usable stacks.

Unprinted newspaper usually comes in individual sheets rolled into bundles. Just cut the tie and 10 to 30 pounds of paper roll out into a ready to use stack of packing paper.

The primary disadvantage to normal newspaper is the ink. After a very short time of using regular newspaper, the ink transfers to your hands. Then it begins transferring to your cups and plates. Then it continues to transfer to everything you touch. Your white sofa, your bedding and linens, and on and on. Then you look at your hands and see the problem. Hands full of black ink.

Anyone who has raised kids knows the Dr. Seuss story of the Cat in the Hat - the episode with the "Pink Snow". It gets everywhere and just seems to multiply out of control on its own. Pretty much the same thing with the ink and packing with regular newspaper. It gets everywhere and keeps spreading. Unfortunately, cleanup is not quite as simple.

This is not to say regular newspaper has no place for packing. If you have a very small move with just a very small amount of packing, normal newspaper can be OK.

Also, normal newspaper is good for top and bottom cushioning within boxes. That is, for boxes with fragile items usually you will want a top and bottom layer of "wadded up paper" to help cushion the contents. Just go easy.

Also, if you have a large home with nice items, don't be "'penny wise and dollar foolish". Spend a few extra bucks on unprinted news, and save yourself the post move aggravation of lots of ink clean up.

Timothy O'Neal - movers

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