How to Pack Fragile Items for Your Big Move

by Stephen LaPorta 03/24/2019

Something that can cause anxiety when packing fragile items for a move is the fear of them being shattered in transit. Fragile items can be so delicate that just a simple shake will end up getting them cracked, or entirely broken.

Your Great-Aunt Mildred's Heirloom China is too cherished to be toyed with, while your wedding day champagne flutes are also precious to you, and you'll go any length to prevent them from breaking. These are some reasons why you should put considerable thought into packing your fragile items when moving homes. Here are some tips packing to help you get all your fragile belongings to your new home safely:

Pack carefully

Don't overpack each box and ensure you apply extra packing tape to keep fragile items covered. It's imperative to place fragile items into individual boxes after packing them carefully and wrapping them with soft materials like foam or bubble wrap. Also, label boxes with fragile items accordingly so that movers can be extra careful with them. Cardboard boxes containing fragile items should be stuffed in-between to keep them tight and make it less likely to suffer huge impacts from collisions or unwanted bumps.

Mix them all up

You may think that it is best to purchase boxes that are of the same sizes. Matching sizes works well as stacking is easier with boxes of the same size. However, some fragile items may not fit into the standard box size you are using. Picking up a couple of sizes is your best bet so that you have options for objects of different dimensions - from shoebox small to ottoman large - that can conveniently carry anything more significant than two square feet. Place heavy items in little boxes and fill the big ones with lighter things.

Packing it the Pillow-Top way

When there are certain items with irregular shapes, a designated box is dedicated entirely for them. In this technique, a blanket is placed at the base and then the carefully wrapped item before putting a pillow at the top. Seal the box and put a label marked 'FRAGILE' on all sides.

No Shaking!

Glasses, cups, and mugs do not necessarily need to be placed inside a box-insert to get them separated. Instead, it's advisable to get them wrapped up entirely while using two sets of packing papers for materials that are extra-fragile and sensitive. You should make sure that everything is well and tightly packed to prevent the items from getting roughly shaken which may at the end of the day cause some unwanted loss.

Hire professional movers and let them have a full inventory of your moving items to help them plan appropriately for your move.

About the Author
Author

Stephen LaPorta

Hi, I'm Stephen Laporta and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.