Moving to a new home, city, or even country is an exciting adventure, but it can be tough to say goodbye to loved ones. While the idea of starting fresh and meeting new people is thrilling, the process of packing can feel overwhelming.
For those who’ve spent years making their house a home, packing up their belongings—especially fragile items—can be stressful. The fear of precious or sentimental items breaking during the move is all too common. We’ve all heard stories of valuable pieces getting damaged with just one sharp turn or a bumpy ride.
However, stressing about what could go wrong won’t make packing any easier. While challenges do exist, proper preparation and following the tips below can help you protect your fragile items and ensure a smooth, successful move.
1. Plan Ahead
Usually, you’ll have plenty of time to plan your move. When it comes to packing fragile items like your mother’s antique china, mirrors, or TV, it’s important to take your time and handle them carefully. Start by making a list of all your breakable items and setting them aside in a designated area.
If possible, keep these valuables in a separate room where kids and pets can’t reach them. If that’s not an option, choose a specific spot and block access to it. Also, plan the order of packing—decide what should be packed first and what can go into the truck later. Being organized from the start will make the entire process much smoother.
2. Gather the Right Packing Materials
Many people think old boxes and newspapers are enough for packing fragile items, but that’s not always true. Fragile items require different packing methods to stay safe. For example, use boxes with cardboard dividers for glassware and consider a TV kit with foam protectors if you don’t have your TV’s original packaging. Here’s a general list of what you’ll need:
- Sturdy cardboard or plastic boxes
- Foldable cardboard
- Bubble wrap or padding material
- Plastic zipper bags
- Packing paper or newspaper
- Packing peanuts
- Packing tape
- Scissors
Using the original packaging is ideal, but most of us throw those away to save space. For sturdy items like books or clothes, cheap or free boxes from a supermarket will do. However, for fragile items, invest in high-quality, durable boxes to ensure their safety.
3. Prepare Your Boxes
Getting the right materials is just the first step—now it’s time to prepare the boxes. If you’re using old boxes, check them for damage and reinforce all corners and seams with tape. Make sure the box size matches the item; it shouldn’t be too big or too small. Before placing your items inside, add packing peanuts or paper to create a cushioning layer. Once packed, add more padding on top for extra protection before sealing the box.
4. Wrap and Pack Carefully
When packing fragile items, focus is key. If you have kids or pets, ask someone to keep them entertained elsewhere. Completely wrap each item in bubble wrap and fasten it securely with tape. For the best protection, pack each item individually.
Make sure the items are packed tightly in the box to avoid movement during transport. If there are any empty spaces in the box, fill them with packing paper or newspaper to prevent shifting.
5. Label Your Boxes
Don’t forget to label your boxes clearly. Use a marker to write “FRAGILE” on any boxes containing breakables so they’re handled with care. This will help avoid accidents like placing heavy boxes on top of delicate ones.
6. Place Heavy Items at the Bottom
Just like grocery shopping, always put heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter, more delicate items on top. Use the same approach when arranging items in the moving truck.
If possible, consider using portable storage for packing fragile items. This gives you more time to organize without feeling rushed or needing to pay for professional movers.
7. Add Extra Protection
Protect fragile items by wrapping them in bubble wrap, tissue paper, or packing paper. For larger items like TVs or picture frames, use towels or blankets for added protection. Secure the coverings with tape or bungee cords to keep them in place during the move, ensuring everything arrives safely.
Fragile items like plates and bowls can be stacked together to reduce the risk of damage. Start by placing a solid piece of cardboard at the bottom of the box. From there, take packing paper or a portion of bubble wrap and stack it between each plate or bowl. Take 4-5 plates or bowls and seal the stack with packing tape.
8. Pack TVs and Monitors in Their Original Packaging
If you still have the original boxes for your televisions, monitors, and other electronics, now is the time to put them to use. Using the original boxes can help keep your electronics safe during the move.
If you don’t have the boxes, start by removing the cables and wrapping them in a layer of bubble wrap. Make sure to label each item to track where it goes for the reassembly process.
All screens should be carefully wrapped with bubble wrap as they are the most fragile part. Cover the bubble wrap with a thick towel or blanket and secure it onto the item with a rope or cord.
9. Fill Hollow Items with Packing Paper
Use packing paper to soften vibrations and prevent cracks in vases, jars, bowls, and canisters. You can stack individually wrapped items together to save space, such as mixing bowls or glasses, if it is safe to do so. (This is a bad idea for glasses of the same size since they could get stuck.) Put items in boxes and fill leftover empty space with packing peanuts, towels, or paper to prevent the things from moving.
10. Use Cardboard Dividers and Bubble Wrap for Glasses
Use cardboard dividers or special boxes to separate glassware. Due to their shape and pressure points, glasses are prone to breakage, so they need specialty boxes to avoid broken glass. Secure wine glass stems with bubble wrap first, then wrap the entire glass in paper, and then bubble wrap.
Generally, if your items are big and heavy, you’ll want to do one of two things: use bubble wrap with larger bubble sizes or wrap items in more layers. You can’t be too careful when packing glass, especially if what you’re packing is valuable, sentimental, or family heirlooms.
11. Ask for a Professional
Now you have all the essential tips for packing fragile items. However, if you still feel stressed about packing breakables, there is no shame in asking a professional to help. It is always better to pay someone skilled than risk damaging or destroying things you value.
Moving? Contact Olds Moving Ltd. Today
Packing fragile items may seem daunting, but with the above tips and guidance, the process isn’t as overwhelming as it seems. If you’re looking for hands-on assistance packing fragile items, our team at Olds Moving Ltd. is here to help!
We have successfully executed countless moves in the Olds and surrounding area, always treating our customers’ belongings as our own. We always offer straightforward pricing that will not impact your budget, and we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service.
For a moving quote, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime!
