Houses and offices are full of fragile items that need special attention for safe packing and traveling. It’s not just your wine glasses and the full-length mirror that requires specific care, but also your TV and other electronics, heavy and awkward kitchen appliances, and those sconces you got on your wedding day.
While some of your fragile items may have boxes created just for them (glasses, plates, artwork, etc.), many don’t. Today we’ll give you some tips for packing your fragile items so you can feel confident in their safe arrival at their new location.
Make a list of your fragile items
You may want to do this room by room for organization purposes. Creating an inventory of fragile items will help you figure out the kind of packing materials you need as well as the amount. This will save you from going back and forth to purchase more moving supplies.
Consider these:
- Appropriately sized cardboard boxes
- Boxes specific for fragile items
- Packing paper
- Moving blankets (When using Road Scholars we will supply these while your items are in our custody/control)
- Bubble wrap
We know you can get your hands on free cardboard boxes, but for the fragile items, be sure the box is in great shape. If in doubt, splurge on new boxes.
If you no longer use, need, or like some of your fragile items, maybe it’s time to get rid of old items? No need to expend time, money, and resources on those sconces if you have no intention of putting them up.
Packing paper and bubble wrap: the dynamic duo when packing your fragile items
These two are going to be critical to the safety of your belongings. Wrap away with both, but also use these as shock absorbers and to fill empty space in the box. This way, your items stay secure and won’t be jostled around in transport.
Using crumpled up paper wads at the bottom of your box before putting anything inside it will help support your safety efforts. Wrapping the fragile belongings with the paper before adding some bubble wrap will also be of benefit. And if your items are well wrapped, and you see extra space in the box, fill those voids with more paper.
Bubble wrap and packing paper are going to make or break (literally) your move. It’s an essential piece of the fragile-item-move pie, providing excellent protection.
When packing extremely delicate items (glass stems, decorative pieces, etc.), wrap the more fragile areas with more bubble wrap to create as much barrier as you deem necessary. Be sure to always secure your wrappings with tape, so the paper or wrap doesn’t come off during unpredictable transportation elements.
Label those boxes correctly
Don’t underestimate the importance of labeling your boxes. First and foremost, it’s a real time-saver upon arrival to your new location, but also, it tells you when you (or your professional moving company) need to be extra careful with a box.
Not only delineate what’s inside, but be sure to write “FRAGILE” on all sides, so there’s no way anyone can miss this critical detail. Using a red marker for this will help it stand out.
The takeaway
We understand the reality of moving and know that packing is a big undertaking, especially all those fragile belongings. If you’ve decided to go it alone, we hope these tips will help you through your moving process. However, if you’re not up for this challenge, Road Scholars has all the services you need for a successful move. Give us a call and let’s talk about your move today.