It’s one of most people’s worst nightmares when it comes to moving – the possibility of losing important and very loved objects. Whilst it is normal to be concerned about your belongings, it is possible to move even your most fragile items without them breaking or getting damaged. Here is how to pack fragile items for maximum security. Just follow these simple packing methods to keep those fragile objects safe:
Plan ahead of time
You may not have to hire a moving company to transport your belongings. There are many DIY moves that can be accomplished with the help of family and friends. If you’re going to pack up your own belongings, here are some tips:
Plan ahead of time. It takes time to pack up delicate and expensive porcelain, china, and other breakable items. This is not the time to be hurried. If you’re not employing movers, start far ahead of time to carefully pack these goods and decide whether they’ll be transported by van or by car.
Be prepared for the worst weather conditions. If it’s winter in your area, be sure there’s enough heat in your new home so that pipes don’t freeze during the move; if it’s summertime, make sure there’s air conditioning in case it gets too hot inside during the day when everyone is working hard on their own projects.
Make sure you have all the necessary tools
Packing boxes are a must when you move house. The right size and the right amount will help you to get the job done quickly and easily.
Pack light, pack right: If you have lots of small items (like books), it is better to pack them with bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard rather than putting them into a box. This will ensure that they arrive safely at your new home. It’s also important to keep all your belongings in their original wrapping – this will help you sort through them later on.
Bubble wrap is an essential packing material too – use it to wrap up your fragile goods such as glassware or porcelain, and put them in smaller boxes so they can be packed more easily. You’ll also need plenty of packing paper, which is useful for wrapping larger items like lamps and mirrors.
You’ll need plenty of packing tape (or a stapler if you prefer) and scissors too; if you have any large pieces of furniture or appliances, make sure they’re wrapped properly in blankets or towels before being placed in the box so they don’t get scratched during transportation.
Label all your fragile items
One of the best ways to ensure that your belongings arrive at your new home in one piece is to label them clearly. This makes it easier for the movers to identify which items are fragile and should be handled with care. It also ensures that they are placed in the correct room once they have been unloaded from the truck.
If you have any glassware, ceramics or other items that may break if dropped or bumped, make sure that these are clearly marked as such on all sides of each box containing them. This will also help prevent damage to any other items inside that box as well.
If you are moving with children or pets, it’s a good idea to label boxes containing toys and other personal items that may get lost easily. If you have young children, consider marking boxes containing their favourite toys with their names on all sides so they can easily spot them when they arrive at their new home.
Strengthen the bottom of the box
You need to make sure that the box is of good quality. Using solid boxes without any damage or holes will protect your items. But, in any case, you also need to start by taping the bottom of the box to make sure it is extra strong and that nothing will fall through.
You can use tape for this, but a better option would be to use double-sided carpet tape. This kind of tape is very sticky and it will help keep your item inside the box safely. You should also consider using packing paper or bubble wrap to add an extra layer of protection.
Once you have created a sturdy base for your item, you can start filling up some space around it with other items that are light enough so they won’t break anything if they fall out of place inside the box while being carried around during shipping.
If there are any holes in your box or if there are gaps between pieces of cardboard, then this type of stuffing should be used in order to fill them up completely and create a tight seal around all sides of your item so that nothing falls out during transit.
Start with the heaviest objects
Once you’ve secured the bottom of the box, you’ll then want to start by packing the largest/heaviest objects at the bottom of the box. This will prevent smaller items from getting crushed.
Pack the heaviest objects on one side, and then fill in with lighter items. This will help balance out weight distribution and protect your fragile items from being damaged by shifting during transit.
If you have any small items that are easily damaged, such as plates or glasses, it’s best to pack them separately in a box rather than in your main moving container. This will ensure they don’t break during transit. This is equally important if you are packing a mirror for moving.
You can also use protective packing materials like bubble wrap or foam peanuts around delicate items that need extra protection against breakage during transport.
How to pack plates
The first thing you need to do is make sure all the dishes are clean. If they’re not, wash them thoroughly with soap and water, and then dry them completely. You can also put each dish in a separate plastic bag before packing.
Plates should be packaged in an upright position in small to medium boxes. Make sure you have previously lined the boxes on the bottom and top with crumpled packing paper. After that, each dish should be wrapped with bubble wrap and taped together. Between the plates, put more paper, and make sure the package isn’t too full.
You should also pack your glasses vertically in small boxes or place them inside cardboard tubes. Make sure to wrap each glass individually with bubble wrap (or packing paper) before packing them together.
If you have any fragile items like vases or glassware, it’s best to wrap them individually in bubble wrap or newspaper before packing them inside another box or tube. This way, if one item gets damaged during transit, it won’t affect other fragile items.
How to pack fragile items like a TV
Flat-screen televisions or computer monitors might be difficult to transport. If you don’t still have the original packaging, begin by finding a box that is the right size for your television. Disconnect any connections and attachments, such as cables and the legs of the TV, and placing them in a labelled box. Wrap the screen with a soft blanket and secure it with tape all around it. Finally, put it into the box and close it with tape.
If you have a large flat-screen TV or monitor, you should use more than one box. Pack the smaller pieces first, then place those boxes inside a larger box before filling it with packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Label each box clearly so they do not get mixed up when they are being moved. Be sure to pack any additional accessories that came with your TV or monitor as well as any power cords needed for each device (if applicable).
Lamps
When packing lamps, there are several things you can do in order to make sure that they arrive at their destination safely.
Lamps are also very delicate objects. They require particular care whether they are small table lamps for your bedroom or a standing lamp for a living room. If at all feasible, start by disassembling it and cover the shade, especially if it’s made of glass. Carefully place it in a separate box and cover it with a thick layer of paper and padding. The base may be wrapped and placed with other items.
If you have found matching lamp sets, which often come as two pieces (lampshade and base), then make sure that each piece is packed separately in its own box. Glass bulbs should also be packed separately in boxes with plenty of padding material inside and outside the box.
Since lamps tend to be quite fragile objects, it is advisable to use bubble wrap or foam peanuts to keep them secured inside their boxes during transport. You should also label all boxes clearly so that no one will have any trouble finding out what’s inside them on arrival at their final destination.
Top tip for moving fragile items: Hire professional movers
Professional movers have plenty of experience handling all sorts of objects, packing them and safely moving them from one part of the country to another. Therefore, it is safe to say that there’s no one better prepared to move any delicate items and answer all your questions about how to pack fragile items At Now We’re Moving we have years of experience moving delicate objects safely to their new homes. Get in touch with us to tell us more about your requirements and everything you need to move. Here are some further tips on how to pack fragile items for moving:
Use the right materials
You’ll need sturdy boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and packing tape. If you have any fragile items that are especially valuable or delicate, you may want to consider using museum wrap or another type of professional-grade packing material.
Wrap each item individually
This will help to protect them from bumps and scratches. For especially fragile items, you can use multiple layers of bubble wrap or packing paper.
Pack like items together
This will help to prevent them from shifting around in the box. For example, you can pack all of your dishes together, all of your glasses together, and all of your framed artwork together.
Use plenty of padding
Fill any empty spaces in the box with packing paper, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts. This will help to keep your items from moving around during the move.
Label the boxes clearly
Mark each box with the words “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP.” This will help to prevent your boxes from being mishandled during the move.
Handle with care
When moving fragile items, it’s important to take extra care. Be gentle when lifting and transporting the boxes.
Here are some additional tips for packing fragile items:
- Use smaller boxes for fragile items. This will help to reduce the amount of movement inside the box and make it easier to pack and unpack.
- Avoid using flimsy boxes. Make sure the boxes you use are sturdy and well-made.
- Secure the bottom of the box with extra strips of tape. This will help to prevent the box from collapsing during the move.
- Pack the heaviest items on the bottom of the box. This will help to keep the fragile items from getting crushed.
- Use dividers for glasses and stemware. This will help to prevent them from breaking.
- Fill hollow items with packing paper. This will help to prevent them from collapsing.
- Use plenty of packing tape. Seal all of the seams of the box tightly to prevent the contents from falling out.
- Clearly label the boxes. This will help to prevent your boxes from being mishandled during the move.
- Take your time. Packing fragile items can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to take the time to do it right.
If it all sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. Here at Now Were Moving we offer both packing materials and packing & unpacking services to our clients! We are here to help. Get in touch with our team of expert movers at Now We’re Moving to get a quick quote.
