When you’re packing up for a big move, the last thing you’re thinking about is the condition of your belongings on the other side. It’s easy to become impatient and start filling boxes at random just to get the job done.
The problem is that some items are prone to breaking because they’re fragile items and difficult to pack. This includes things that are somewhat easy to replace, like drinking glasses, but also valuable antiques and family heirlooms.
One important packing tip is to start as early as possible. You’re more likely to practice safe packing and use extra care when dealing with those breakable objects.
Benefits of packaging foam and packing tips to keep your fragile items safe? Read on for more.
Use the Right Packing Materials
Safe packing starts with assembling the proper packing materials. Sure, some items can go in the box as-is. This includes soft items like linens as well as sturdy items like books. Your fragile items, however, need additional materials to stay safe.
Gather materials including:
- packing peanuts
- packing paper (as well as newspaper and other recycled options)
- furniture pads or moving blankets
- bubble wrap in a variety of sizes
Chances are, you’re going to need more than you think, especially when it comes to packing paper. You can use packing paper to wrap and stuff items and to fill in vacant spaces in your packed boxes.
Label Your Fragile Boxes
Whether you’re hiring packers and movers or doing the packing before your moving company arrives, it’s important to clearly label your boxes. Yes, that means labeling them by room or by item, but you should also make it obvious when a box contains something fragile.
Purchase labeled tape that says “fragile” in bright letters for the best results. If you use the same marker for all of your labels, your movers may not notice much of a difference between boxes labeled “fragile” versus boxes labeled “kitchen,” “towels,” and so forth.
Use Small Boxes for Small Fragile Items
In addition to picking the right variety of packing materials to protect fragile items, you should also pick a variety of box sizes. Smaller boxes are useful when it comes to heavy items, like books, but also when it comes to delicate things like ceramic dish sets or vases.
Line small boxes with bubble wrap before placing a layer of thick cardboard on the bottom. Then, wrap each fragile item in a layer of bubble wrap or several layers of packing paper before placing them in the box. A smaller box will hold fewer items, which means that there’s less pressure on each item inside and less of a chance of cracking or shattering.
Don’t Leave Wiggle Room
This is a good rule of thumb for all of your packed boxes, but it’s especially important for boxes containing fragile items. Fill all vacant spaces with your packing materials, even if you’ve wrapped each item individually. You should even fill hollow items, like cups and bowls, with packing paper to reduce vibrations that can lead to hairline cracks.
Why is filling vacant space so important? For starters, it eliminates the possibility of items shifting around in the box during transport, which could cause them to fall over in the truck. It also ensures that each item is snug and secure with plenty of soft, shock-absorbing materials to protect it.
Heaviest Goes First
Because some fragile items are also heavy, you might feel tempted to pack them alongside light-weight materials like linens or even clothing. While this isn’t a bad idea, it’s important that you make sure to place those items in the proper order.
Heavy items should always go on the bottom of the box. If you put light items on the bottom, the box becomes top-heavy and once again is more likely to tip over during transport. If lighter items are also fragile, placing heavy items on top of them could cause a crushing effect, even if they’re wrapped tight in packing materials.
Use Original Packaging When Possible
Dishes, vases, and heirlooms aren’t the only fragile items worth protecting during your move. Your electronics, like appliances, televisions, and computers, are also fragile. They may also have a more complex shape or heavy build than other fragile items.
The best way to protect these kinds of items is to put them back in their original packaging. Original packaging often includes a custom-made styrofoam shell and a box that the shell fits in snugly. If you have original packaging for any of your fragile items, don’t hesitate to use it.
Disassemble Furniture
Finally, no matter how bulky or sturdy your furniture seems, it probably has a few weak spots. Furniture legs, in particular, are prone to breaking during a move. Even the process of taking furniture through doorways can lead to broken or damaged pieces.
Disassemble your furniture so that it’s broken down into more manageable pieces, even if that just means removing the legs. If you can’t remove the legs from your furniture, wrap them in small moving blankets secured with packing tape.
Keep Your Fragile Items Safe With These Packing Tips
When you’re getting ready to move, it’s easy to lose patience and start packing without care. However, the more careful you are when packing fragile items, the more likely they are to arrive intact and ready to use at your new home.
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