You are at the first and most important stage to make sure that your delicate items remain protected during your movement. Taking the time to properly pack your fragile items, you can ensure that your valuables come in one piece. Therefore, we have gathered some tips on how to pack fragile items like a pro.
How to start to pack fragile items?
The most useful thing you can do during the packing process takes your time. It’s easy to mess up or forget to wrap something when you’re in a hurry. So plan ahead and set aside a reasonable amount of time to focus on packing your valuables before your moving date. By leaving enough time to pack and protect your sensitive values, you can help ensure their safe arrival. Just as you packed them.
We suggest starting a month before your move. Take the time to go through your home and take all your valuable crystals, china, mirrors and any other breakable properties that you can have. Plan an individual time to concentrate on properly packing these items. And prepare them well before the arrival of your home or office movers NJ.
What do you need to pack fragile items?
You will need:
- A permanent marker
- Scotch tape
- Scissors
- Flexible cardboard
- Newspaper, packing paper, packing peanuts or old T-shirts
- Boxes
Remember: staying in this process will be the key to correctly and effectively pack all your values. You can find any of the above packaging materials at Walmart or at your local store. It’s also a good idea to ask in your moving company. They are likely to be able to provide any moving material that you might need. Or you can check our guide where to get free cardboard boxes.
So how to pack fragile items?
Packing plates
Wrap each plate in newspapers, stick it with adhesive tape and store them vertically. By keeping your plates vertically inside the box, you reduce the surface area and, therefore, risk of damage during transport. For finer porcelain, we recommend an extra step and place a piece of flexible cardboard between each plate and on top and bottom of the box, again laying them vertically. Fill in the empty space in the box with a crumpled newspaper or an old T-shirt to reduce any room for them to move. Do not overload the boxes! This is a sure way to damage your breakable items.
Packing glasses and fine glassware
When wrapping the glasses, first wrap them in a newspaper, putting the paper inside the glass also. Then fasten with tape. Since glassware is usually heavier when you stock them, it is best to use a double wall box for packing. It’s OK to pack in layers, just make sure that the heaviest glasses are on the bottom, and the lighter glasses on top. Use a piece of flexible cardboard between each layer. Do not forget to indicate on which side is the top of the box.
Packing mirrors and large glass items
When moving mirrors or sheet glass (frames for paintings or windows, etc.) begin by placing the painting tape in the middle of the glass, in the form of a star that expands to the brim. This will prevent the glass from moving and help absorb any vibrations that can crack the glass. Protect the corners of the mirror or sheet glass with a protective foam frame and wrap it all in bubble wrap.
We recommend using a corrugated box for packing small mirrors or glass objects. These boxes are specially designed to protect your mirror during transportation. You can find a mirror corrugated box on ULINE or check with your chosen moving company to find out what they have to offer.
If you store several pieces together, be sure to group them by size. Large mirrors should be stored together and away from any small, more fragile details. Protect every detail from the other using an additional layer of crumpled newspaper or foam sheets between the pieces. However, if you are packing a very valuable work of art or a mirror, we strongly recommend that you put it in box for additional protection.
Packing vases and fine ceramics
When it comes to vases, you will again want to use smaller boxes. Remember, less is better with fragile objects.
Wrap the vase in the newspaper and put crumpled paper in the middle to reduce friction during movement. Then wrap it all in bubble wrap and tape it. Place the box with old T-shirts or towels before putting the vase.
You can pack smaller pieces together, keeping them heavy ends down and using flexible cardboard between each piece. If you have a larger vase, we recommend packing it separately in a double-walled box. And then surround it by a crumpled newspaper and towels to fill any extra space.
We recommend you take moving insurance to compensate in case something breaks. We know that sometimes those items also have sentimental value, that cannot be compensated. But, at least you can get some money for your lost.
Packing strangely shaped items
For items with an abnormal shape, wrap them in a newspaper, tape them, and then wrap them in bubble wrap again. Make sure that all edges and corners are protected. You should use foam covers to protect any gentle edges or points and never overload boxes. If you are laying pieces, use flexible cardboard between the layers and choose double wall boxes. Fill any additional room with crumpled paper, when necessary.
Remember that when packing fragile items, you should not overload, but do not leave an empty space in the box, so that your items move. The solution to this problem will be to use your crumpled newspaper as a filling. You want your items to be neat and safe during transportation, so feel free to use as much tape. Use everything you need to feel confident.
To summarize
Follow these steps to pack fragile items, and you can be sure that your goods will appear in a new house in one piece. Whatever you pack, always indicate it as “fragile” and, if necessary, specify the top of the box. We also recommend marking the room in which the box should go in your new home. Or you can simply hire packing services NJ and avoid all the worry about moving your valuables.
