Don’t overlook your fragile items when it comes to packing up and moving. A little extra care and attention in the beginning will make all the difference when you open up your boxes at the other end.
With so much to think about and prepare when moving, it can be easy to try and rush through the packing stages. While this may not be a big deal with some items, it can be detrimental to the safety of some of your more fragile belongings.
An antique vase, the family piano, the kids’ games console, or even just your everyday glassware require some added preparation, and the time you put in at the beginning will no doubt pay off in the end.
Hiring a professional packing service like Allied, your movers will know all the ins and outs of proper packing. If you choose to take on the task yourself, we’ve outlined important tips for packing fragile items for moving.
First thing’s first; gather all of the packing supplies you'll need. Then it’s time to get to work.
Wrapping time
Wrapping each fragile item individually will help to protect it from potential damage on the way to your new home. Where possible, try to put things back into their original packaging, otherwise, using protective materials should do the trick. Old newspaper, cloths, and towels are great options for more durable things, as well as being sustainable, but fragile items should be wrapped more cautiously. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and our specialised packing materials are the best way to ensure your fragile items will be protected in transit. For kitchenware like plates and glasses, cardboard dividers or cell kits are ideal, as they stop them from rubbing and cracking against each other.
If you or someone in your household is a gamer, then opt for anti-static bubble wrap for the highest level of protection for games consoles. Remember, these devices are more delicate than they look!
Packing up
Don’t just pack your belongings into moving boxes any old way, play around with things to find the best possible fit. Too little room, and there won’t be space for adequate padding, and too much room, your items will have too much space to move around inside.
When you’ve got the sizing right, the bottom of each box should then be cushioned with whatever packing material you’ve chosen to use. Once in the box, you should pad out any excess space with more of that material. The less space there is to move, the lower the chances of damage.
Make a mark
When your boxes are packed and sealed with packing tape, it’s time to label your moving boxes. Aside from making note of the contents of the box and labelling it with the room it’s intended for, fragile items should be labelled as such. Especially if you’re using a professional moving service, how will the people handling the boxes know what needs a gentle hand if you don’t tell them? ‘Fragile’, ‘handle with care’, whatever way you want to phrase it, make sure it’s clearly signed on the outside of the box, and visible from multiple angles. For items that need to stay upright, ‘this way up’ with an arrow pointing upwards will also be helpful.
Locked and loaded
The job doesn’t end when you’ve closed the boxes; you still need to ensure that they’re safely loaded into the moving van. The boxes containing your fragile items still need to be handled with care, and should be loaded on top of other boxes, not weighed down at the bottom of the pile. Just as with the contents of the box, the box itself shouldn’t have too much space to move around and bump off other things in the van.
With the proper precautions taken, your fragile belongings will have the best chance of making it through the move!