Bubble cushion wraps are indispensable packing materials in the shipping and moving industry. They are highly effective at protecting and shielding items from scratches, effects of vibrations, breakage, and damage if you use them the right way (or if you use the right type).
Bubble wrap is one of the most effective forms of protective packaging – not just because it is fun to pop, but because it offers an unprecedented degree of protection, being both shock absorbing and abrasion resistant. It is also lightweight and extremely flexible.
Cons of Bubble Wrap
As a plastic product, it is not biodegradable, which impacts the environment. It is not typically a branded material, which misses a chance to personalize the shipping experience. Cutting and taping bubble wrap can be a time-intensive process.
Bubble Wrap Life
Bubble wrap should last between 5 and 7 years on your windows. Please note that as the bubble wrap gets to the end of its insulating life, it may tend to stick to the glass. Accordingly, it's better to replace it at between 4 and 5 years just to be sure.
It depends on how you're using it. Bubble wrap is a protective packaging product that countless companies use to protect fragile items during shipping. However, simply throwing a sheet of bubble wrap into a box won't guarantee that your package will arrive at its destination safely.
The Takeaway: And The Winner Is….
Both! Packing paper is the clear winner for wrapping fragile items and saving you space, and also for protecting surfaces from getting scratched. But bubble wrap wins out in protecting valuables and fragile items from breaking during the moving process.
Per the science site Temperature Master, bubble wrap works so well as an insulator because of its signature "closely-spaced air pockets." It's those little air pockets that can help maintain the temperature — hot or cold — of whatever has been wrapped up inside of the material.
If you are packing fragile or valuable items that you care about, there is a safe way to use Bubble Wrap®. Enclose or fully wrap the article in acid free tissue (for long-term storage), or unprinted newsprint and then follow with the Bubble Wrap®.
Bubble wrap is a natural insulator. The layer of trapped air in the bubbles forms a barrier that keeps warm air in and prevents the unwanted cold from entering.
Bubble wrap – from which such pouches are made – is made from polyethylene with air bubbles in it, that act as a cushion against impact, as well as insulating from items inside from temperature changes. The polyethylene also acts as a barrier to water, dirt and dust.
Smaller bubbles provide less protection against shock or impact, but greater protection against scrapes and scratches. Larger bubbles are filled with more air, making them ideal for providing additional padding.
The larger the bubble size, the more protection you have against impact damage. That's because there's more air captured in larger bubbles to create a protective layer around your products. 3/16-inch and 1/2-inch bubbles in particular are great for cushioning any medium-weight items you may be shipping.
Make sure your items are completely covered and consider adding another layer or two of wrap around them. A single layer protects the surface of your item from scratches, but multiple layers offer protection against bumps and drops.
Even though bubble wrap was a breakthrough in the packaging industry and became the most well-known form of protective packaging world-wide, it can be rather damaging to the environment with it being made from plastic materials that are not biodegradable.
If you are in a pinch, bubble wrap is an excellent insulator for summer windows. Simply spray a light mist of water on your windows, and lay bubble wrap against them to act as another layer of glass. The bubble wrap will stick as long as you need, and it works to keep the hot out and the cold in.
To stop ice melting you need to insulate (protect) it from warm air. One way to do this is to wrap the ice in an insulating material such as bubble wrap or a towel. These materials absorb heat from the environment, stopping it reaching the ice.
Bubble wrap works by increasing the isolative value of the window, making it effective in keeping the heat out in summer and preventing heat loss in winter. "The still layer of air trapped in the bubbles gives a cheap double-glazed-type effect," Ms Edwards said.
Couldn't we have just made something easier like popcorn!?) But there is a simple, game-changing trick for how to keep ice cream from melting. Two words: dry ice! We'll spare you too much of the nerdy science of it all, but dry ice is the far superior option in terms of how to keep ice cream frozen.
Bubble wrap is available in several different sizes, so it's suitable for shipping larger items such as glassware or ceramics--but if you're sending something small (like jewelry), honeycomb paper may be a better option because it provides greater protection without adding bulk or weight to your shipment.
Generally, it's better to roll clothes because it takes up less space and allows you to pack more while reducing wrinkles.
Honeycomb paper is a lightweight, durable and a cost effective alternative to plastic bubble wraps. It is manufactured using kraft paper material. These kraft paper mailers are actually inspired by the natural honeycomb core - just like the way it is inside a beehive.
Bubble wrap is used by various pre-hospital services around the world to package hypothermic casualties. While bubble wrap is widely available and at a low cost, it is unclear how effective it is when managing hypothermia.
Bubble Wrap comes in different grades:
Single Layer = Regular Grade. Double Layer = Heavy Duty.
Bubble wrap is excellent for wrapping fragile items, such as dishes, mirrors, and pictures. However, you must combine it with other packing materials, such as packing peanuts or packing paper, which will fill in the gaps and remaining spaces in your boxes.