7 Ways to Use Garbage Bags to Move

There are lots of fancy packing supplies that you can utilize when you’re gearing up to move, but did you know that there are also plenty of uses for the humble garbage bag? Aside from just being the obvious receptacle for the things you’re ready to toss, you can also use garbage bags to move clothes, linens, soft toys, and other non-breakables, as well as to protect various items on moving days. It’s a significantly cheaper alternative to cardboard boxes, and usually, you can get a second use out of the bag as well when you’re setting up at your new place.

Before we get into the different ways you can use garbage bags to move, let’s first go over a few caveats:

Use heavy duty bags. Thick, black garbage bags are your best bet here, since they can carry significantly more weight than their flimsy counterparts with less chance of tearing or breaking.

Use outdoor bags. To the point above, outdoor bags are typically more sturdy than indoor ones and will hold up better during your move.

Use large or extra large bags. You’ll want to aim to use fewer garbage bags rather than more, so go with the largest size that you can find.

Use garbage bags with ties. While they may cost a little bit more, garbage bags with ties will give you a more effective seal so that you don’t have to worry about things spilling out in the back of the truck.

Don’t pack anything sharp or breakable in a garbage bag. This probably goes without saying, but you don’t want to pack anything sharp in a garbage bag that could potentially poke through the plastic. In addition to tearing the bag, it could also be a safety issue. Don’t pack anything breakable in a garbage bag either, since you don’t get the support in a bag that you’d get in a box.

Be sure to label. It’s imperative to label any garbage bags that you use for packing; otherwise, you might end up throwing out half your closet when you really meant to throw out the trash. To keep it budget-friendly, you can use regular adhesive tape in a solid color so you can write on it with a marker. Just make sure to keep the label large and obvious.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are seven ways to use garbage bags to move:

Use them to pack hanging clothes

Use them to pack non-hanging clothes, towels, and linens

Use them to pack bedding

Use them to packed stuffed animals and other non-breakable toys.

Use them to transport plants

Use them as packing material

Use them as an extra layer of protection on electronics

**What to not pack in a garbage bag**

There are lots of ways to use garbage bags to move, but also lots of ways that you shouldn’t use them. We’ve already touched on it a bit, but it’s worth repeating that you should never pack these items in a garbage bag:

Sharp items, including knives and objects that just have sharp corners
Books and other inherently heavy items
Paper, especially important and/or irreplaceable documents
Glass, porcelain, ceramic, and any other fragile materials
Unsecured liquids
Any hazardous or flammable materials

Wrapping it up

Garbage bags aren’t just useful for moving into and out of the dorms. Use them to save money and get packed up easier during your next move, particularly if you’re short on packing space in your vehicle (they squish into corners a lot better than boxes do). To reduce your environmental impact, reuse as many of the bags as you can after moving day, even if that means holding on to them in your garage until an opportunity to use them comes along. You’ll feel better about using all of that plastic, and you’ll save yourself a trip to the store to buy more bags.