How to pack fragile items for moving
Dishes and glassware will need more than just the standard “handle with care” stickers you see thrown around during a house move. You’ll need to pack them up properly if you want to ensure they are kept protected and undamaged.
Packing shouldn’t be overly complicated, you just need to make sure you have the right materials, and the right boxes…
You’ll want to make sure you are using cardboard boxes to store your belongings in, as they are the best options for moving and storing.
Here is a list of some necessary packing supplies for breakable items:
- Packing Tape: Invest in some quality packaging tape, it will help keep your boxes together, and stop them from falling apart at the wrong time.
- Bubble Wrap: Always an essential when moving. Any packing materials can be a good substitute to bubble wrap, such as old clothes or towels you no longer have any use for.
- Newspaper: Newspaper is brilliant to help protects glassware. Wrap each item individually and it will stop them knocking into each other and breaking.
Some top packing tips:
- Label your boxes as fragile: These are incredibly helpful, especially if you are using movers etc. Have a large sticker giving an idea of the contents of the box, it tells your movers that it could break easily, and so they will be handled appropriately.
- Layer the bottom of the box with newspaper: You want to make sure that there is enough protection in each box. Adding extra newspaper will stop any rattle of glass and china while in transport, as well as keeping it safe in storage.
- Wrap plates, bowls, glasses etc individually: However tempting it may be, avoid wrapping more than one plate or dish in newspaper. Keep them separate. Use packing tape to hold the paper together if necessary. They key is to never have open space inside the box where items can move around and hit into each other.
- Put your heaviest items at the bottom of the box: If you’re using a large box, and are stacking up multiple layers, make sure there is plenty of cushioning between those layers. As well, make sure that the heaviest pieces are located in the bottom of the box.
- Fill in space in the box with additional packing materials: Once your boxes are completely packed, fill all extra space with various packing materials, to keep things from shifting around. You want to leave at least two inches at the top of the box to mimic the amount of cushioning you have at the bottom. Make sure you don’t over pack the box too. The heavier the box is, the more likely an accident will happen.
If you follow these tips, it is likely to save your items from getting damaged in transport or while sitting in self storage.
