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Tips for Packing Fragile Items for Your Local Move
Are you preparing for your local move? Just because you might be moving a short distance from your current home, it doesn’t mean you should ease up on your packing standards — especially for your fragile items. All it takes is one poorly packed box or one misstep on the stairs to shatter those delicate breakables.
Whether it’s the beautiful crystal goblets that you splurged on, your TV, or a set of porcelain figurines you inherited from your grandma, keeping fragile objects safe during a local move takes extra care.
The following tips will help you securely pack and prepare your fragile items, and keep them safe during your move.
Inventory Your Breakable Items
Start the process by identifying the fragile items you’ll need to pack. A few weeks before moving day, set aside an hour, grab a notebook (or your laptop), and go from room to room.
Document all the breakable objects that you’ll be taking with you to your new home. Keep all the different types of fragile items in mind, such as:
- Glassware
- Plates and dishes
- Mirrors
- Decorative items and collectibles
- Electronics
Creating an inventory helps ensure you’ll have time to pack each item correctly. Your list will also help you know the type and amount of packing supplies you’ll need.
Use Proper Packing Supplies
When it comes to packing delicate objects, using the right packing supplies is critical. This is the time to splurge on high-quality, sturdy supplies.
To start, you’ll need:
- Packing paper
- Bubble wrap
- Filler material such as newspaper and old towels
- Sturdy cardboard boxes in a variety of sizes
- Cardboard dividers
- Heavy-duty packing tape
- Labels and permanent markers
Packing Fragile Electronics
If you saved the original packaging for electronics, now is the time to use it. Items like televisions and laptops come in boxes that are perfectly shaped to keep them safe. Usually, they’re also filled with customized styrofoam shapes to provide cushioning.
If you don’t have the original packaging, find a sturdy box in the same general shape as the item. Before packing, remove batteries to prevent corrosion. If you’re packing gaming devices, stereos, or DVD players, be sure to remove any discs or cartridges.
Line the bottom of the box with layers of bubble wrap. Then wrap the item two to three times and place it in the box. Fill in gaps with crumpled paper or towels. Place any wires, cables, or remotes in a plastic bag and put them in the box before sealing with strong tape.
Packing Delicate Objects
The same general steps apply to other fragile items. Using plenty of bubble wrap and paper, wrap each item separately in multiple layers. Use crumpled paper to fill in any gaps.
Some items may require a few extra steps:
- Stack dishes vertically, rather than horizontally, with an extra layer of packing paper between each separately wrapped plate. Use small boxes to reduce the amount of space in each box.
- Wrap glasses, mugs, and cups separately, using bubble wrap and paper. Then place each piece inside a cardboard divider.
- Wrap small figurines with protruding parts in several bubble wrap layers, then place in an egg carton. If the item is too big, put it inside an empty food container (such as a yogurt tub) and fill it with shredded paper. Then place all containers together in one sturdy, small box.
- Wrap large, oddly shaped objects, such as mirrors, in bubble wrap. Then cut sheets of cardboard to create a customized “box” that you’ll tape around the object.
Label Everything
Make sure you label all the boxes that contain your fragile items. Write “Fragile” on each side of the box. Where appropriate, indicate “This End Up” as well. Set them aside and make your local movers aware of the items that need extra care.
Local Moving Help
Local moves can be just as stressful and time-consuming as a long-distance move. Contact us for a quote. We’ll help with everything from packing to storage to transport.
