How to Pack Fragile Items for Your Big Move

by Carolyn Kay 08/11/2019

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

Carolyn Kay

As a Real Estate professional, I specialize in helping my clients buy, rent or sell properties in Westchester County. I am passionate, dedicated and committed to my clients and my first priority is to provide them with first class service and guidance throughout the entire process. It has been said that I go above and beyond for my clients to get the deal closed! I have experience working with clients who have financed their purchases with either a conventional, VA or FHA loan and have a good understanding of how they work; no sale is too big or too small for me to take on. My family and I relocated to England for 2 ½ years, this was a wonderful experience but at the same time, it was overwhelming. I have first hand knowledge of the challenges as well as the positives in discovering a new community. I was born and raised in Scarsdale and once married, my husband and I decided to raise our two daughters here. Both of our daughters successfully graduated from the Scarsdale schools and are both married, living and working in Manhattan. After living in the same house for 30 years my husband and I took the leap, sold our home and bought and renovated a condo townhouse in another town. Once again we are discovering a new community and fully understand the highs and lows of selling a home we loved and buying and making a new home. I feel that my personal real estate experiences have made me more in tune with my client’s needs and therefore better able to help them navigate through the complex process. Please call me so that I can put my knowledge and experience to work for you.