In a long-distance move, one of the biggest reasons people wind up damaging important items during a move is that they wind up packing in a rush. If you’re in a hurry, you might not take care when packing up your most fragile belongings, which can lead to issues down the road. A guide to packing these fragile items can be helpful.
How to Pack Fragile Items Before Moving Day
Here are tricks to do the job.
1 – Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Pack
Ideally, you should start the packing process long before your relocation. It will help if you begin by going through your things and thinking about what you want to bring with you. If you clear out some of your old items, you’ll have less to pack in total.
From there, you should start packing up items that you don’t use regularly. For example, if you have fine china that you only use when you’re entertaining guests, you can pack that months in advance of your move.
Pack every box slowly, even if it doesn’t contain fragile items. Not only will you be able to ensure that everything is packed safely and securely, but you’ll be able to keep things organized as you pack. This will make it easier for you to unpack when you arrive at your new home.
2 – Consider Hiring Movers
There’s a lot that can go wrong during a move, especially when you are moving cross country. If you want to make sure your most fragile things stay safe, the best thing you can do is work with experienced professional movers for cross country relocation.
Movers will be able to transport your items quickly, and they’ll also be able to ensure that nothing is damaged during this process. When you partner with movers, you’ll know that all of your things will be in good hands. Find a reliable moving company in your area that can provide the services you need.
3 – Make Sure You Have the Right Supplies
To properly pack your things, you’ll need to make sure you have all the supplies you need. Items that you’ll want to have on hand include:
- Sturdy cardboard boxes
- Packing paper
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Sharp scissors
- Scraps of cardboard
You should gather all the supplies you need before you start packing. If you don’t have the necessary supplies, you may be tempted to make substitutions, which could wind up damaging some of your things.
As an example, people often use old newspapers instead of packing paper to protect fragile items. Although a newspaper can help to protect glass and china from damage, it can also cause other problems. The ink from the newsprint can bleed onto your things, leading to stains that you won’t be able to get rid of.
Another example of this is using old cardboard boxes that are damaged or even falling apart. If any of these boxes break during the cross country move, all the items inside can be destroyed, even if they were packed with care. That’s why it’s always best to stock up on supplies before you get started.
4 – Use the Right Methods for the Items You’re Packing
The packing techniques you’ll want to use will vary based on the types of items that are being packed. You should never take a one-size-fits-all approach when packing. Instead, use a strategy that’s right for the item you’re packing up.
Lampshades should be removed from the base of the lamp and wrapped in paper. The base of your lamp should be wrapped using bubble wrap. In most cases, the lamp’s base should be stored in its own box.
Glasses should be wrapped individually in packing paper. Make sure you cover the area around the glass as well as the inside of the glass. Put your heaviest glasses on the bottom of your box and your lightest glasses on top.
When you’re packing up framed pictures or artwork, you should use packing paper. You should take extra caution for pictures that are larger than three feet. These items should be packed in a soft blanket, if possible. You should use the same methods when packaging large and fragile appliances, such as a television.
It’s best to pack plates vertically. Your dishes should be wrapped in bubble wrap rather than packing paper. Avoid overpacking plates; too much weight could cause a cardboard box to break.
When packing up fragile things, you should be cautious. Pay close attention to the weight of the boxes you’re packing. Try to use more protective materials than you think is necessary. It’s better to be too safe than not safe enough.
5 – Label Boxes That Contain Fragile Items
All your hard work will waste if someone is rough with one of the boxes containing your most fragile things. That’s why you’ll want to make sure you clearly label these boxes with the word “fragile.”
While you can write fragile on the box in permanent marker, you can also buy special packing tape that indicates an item’s fragility. This tape will make your most fragile boxes easier to spot. Anyone that’s moving one of these boxes around will know that they should be especially cautious.
The Takeaway on Packing Fragile Items for a Safe Move
If you’re worried about what will happen to your most fragile items while relocating, you should keep this advice in mind. If you take the appropriate precautions, you should be able to prevent damage and keep all of your things safe. You’ll be able to continue to enjoy these items when you arrive at your new home.
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificates in Natural Health and Herbology from accredited programs. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
