If you have a dusty warehouse that needs to be cleaned thoroughly to remove accumulated dust, then it is wise to package products and supplies in the space to protect them from dust that is kicked up. One product you can use for easy protection is shrink-film plastic. Keep reading to learn about some tips to use the film properly.

Buy the Necessary Supplies

Before you can start packaging items, you need to be sure that you have the supplies that you need. Shrink wrapping requires you to buy shrink film, a sealing  device, and a heating element to shrink the film itself. 

When you look at plastic shrink wrap, you have several different material options available to you. PVC, polyethylene, polyolefin, and polypropylene are among the most common used to make shrink film. If you do not have a hefty budget, then PVC wrap is your best option. It is inexpensive, pliable, and easy to use. However, it is not ideal for use with edible products due to the chlorine in the film. If you do have food items that need to be wrapped up, then polyolefin plastic is a good choice. It is a bit more expensive than PVC, but it does not contain any chlorine, so it is safe when placed in direct contact with food.

If you have pallets of material that need to be wrapped, or if you have several large objects that need to be covered, then polyethylene is your best choice. This is the material that is commonly used to wrap boats. Polypropylene is also heavy and thick like polyethylene materials. Due to the weight of the film and its ability to protect large products, polyethylene and polypropylene are a bit more expensive than other types of film.

Once you have the right film, you will need to buy the sealing device and the heating machine as well. If you do not need a tight seal around items, then you can skip the heating part of the device. Typically a heating gun is used for the purpose of shrinking the plastic over the object.

The sealing machine is definitely needed though. These devices come in smaller personal-use sizes and also larger industrial-use sizes. Most sealing devices are fitted with a type of bar with a heating element that is closed on to the end of the plastic. This melts the end and closes it.

Cut Your Plastic Properly

Once you have your supplies, you need to prepare the plastic for wrapping. You will need to cut the plastic to size first to match the dimensions of your object or product. If you have smaller items that need to be wrapped that are about the same size, then consider buying plastic-wrap tubing. You can then slip the object into the tube and cut the plastic along the end. Make sure to leave at least two or three inches of plastic on each edge so the wrap material can be sealed and shrunk.

If you purchase a flat roll of centerfold material, then you should use the width, length, and height of the object to help you measure and cut your plastic. You should add about two inches to each measurement to make sure you have enough coverage. 

Fit the plastic around the object once you cut it to make sure it appears large enough. Afterward, use your sealer to seal the ends. Do not seal too close to the object. When you are done, use your heat source, like your heat gun, to shrink the excess material. Do not overheat, though. You can burn the plastic and create holes in the material. You will need to start over if you do this. 

For more info, talk to a company that makes packing supplies.