Every July 1st, an extraordinary event takes place across Québec: la journée du déménagement, Moving Day. As leases expire and new ones begin, thousands of people pack up their lives and hit the road. It’s a tradition unique to Québec, and it turns the city into a giant game of musical chairs with couches and cardboard boxes. Amid the hustle and bustle, one simple tool often goes overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in keeping everything together, literally. We’re talking about tape.
Not all tape is created equal, and if you’re preparing for the big move, using the right type of tape for the right job can make your day go a lot smoother. Here’s a breakdown of different types of tape and how they can help you survive Moving Day in Québec or anywhere in the world:
1. Packing Tape: Your MVP
Best for: Sealing boxes
Packing tape is the workhorse of Moving Day. It's designed to stick to cardboard, hold weight, and withstand the wear-and-tear of loading, unloading, and transport. Opt for a heavy-duty, wide packing tape that won’t peel off mid-move. Bonus: look for a quiet version if you're packing late at night and don’t want to wake up your neighbours.
Pro tip: Reinforce the bottom of heavy boxes with an “H-tape” pattern, one strip down the center seam and two across the sides, to avoid any box blowouts on the stairs.
2. Colored PVC Tape: The Organizer’s Secret Weapon
Best for: Color-coding and bundling
Colored PVC tape is strong, stretch-resistant, and available in a variety of bright colors, perfect for organizing your move visually. Use it to color-code boxes by room, bundle cables or curtain rods, or even mark boxes with “fragile” or “this side up.” It adheres well to many surfaces, including plastic, wood, and cardboard, and it’s easy to spot in a packed moving truck.
Pro tip: Assign a color to each room in your new home, and use matching PVC tape on boxes, doors, and even the moving checklist. It saves you (and your movers) time and confusion on unloading day.
3. Duct Tape: The Problem Solver
Best for: Quick fixes and reinforcements
Duct tape is your emergency go-to. Broken bin? Torn mattress bag? Drawer that won’t stay shut? Duct tape can temporarily patch, strap, or seal just about anything. It's not ideal for sealing cardboard boxes (it doesn’t bond well to paper surfaces), but it’s great for unusual fixes in the middle of a chaotic move.
Pro tip: Keep a roll in your moving day toolkit. You never know what will need a last-minute repair.
4. Filament Tape: The Strong Arm
Best for: Securing heavy doors on appliances or furniture
Filament tape is reinforced with fiberglass strands, giving it high tensile strength, perfect for holding doors closed on fridges, stoves, dressers, or cabinets during transit. Unlike regular tape, it won’t snap under pressure, and it offers a reliable hold on slick or glossy surfaces.
Pro tip: Wrap filament tape around the entire appliance (like a belt) rather than just taping the door shut. This distributes the pressure evenly and keeps doors from swinging open in the truck.
5. Masking Tape: Lightweight and Useful
Best for: Light labeling and wrapping fragile items
Masking tape is a lighter cousin of painter’s tape, suitable for wrapping delicate items in paper or bubble wrap. It’s also useful for tagging cords or grouping small objects. It tears easily by hand and is inexpensive, making it ideal for less permanent uses.
Pro tip: Use masking tape to label the contents of drawers or to keep doors shut on small furniture like nightstands.
6. Double-Sided Tape: For Those Extra Touches
Best for: Temporary decor or securing rugs
While not a necessity for the move itself, double-sided tape can help with post-move setup. Use it to hold rugs in place while furniture is still shifting, or to put up temporary decorations as you settle into your new space.
Wrapping It Up (With Tape)
In the whirlwind that is Québec’s Moving Day, the right type of tape can save you time, stress, and even a few broken items. So before you grab the nearest roll of whatever’s in the junk drawer, take a moment to stock up smart. Your boxes (and your sanity) will thank you.
Bonne chance, and happy moving!