Packing and moving a household full of belongings is challenging. Whether you’re moving a short distance, across the state, or beyond, making sure fragile items arrive safely and undamaged to your new home requires extra planning and care. Concern about a treasured family heirloom or favorite piece of art can bring added stress to your moving experience.
You can reduce the risk of damage! Here are ten essential packing tips for how to move fragile items during your move.
What Items Count as Fragile?
Delicate china, glassware, artwork, antiques, electronics, lampshades, and wine bottles are among the fragile possessions that must be packed with care. Liquid items also take special precautions when packing. Read on for how to move fragile items during a move:
10 How-To Fragile Item Packing Tips
1) Use Small Packing Boxes
When packing fragile items, opt for smaller boxes. Large moving boxes tend to be heavier and can increase the chances of things shifting and breaking – or being dropped – during transit. Smaller boxes are easier to handle and provide better protection. Choose sturdy, clean boxes in good condition to ensure the safety of your belongings. Consider using specialty boxes for specific fragile items, such as dish pack boxes with reinforced walls
Related: 5 Best Places to Buy Moving Supplies in Portland
2) Wrap Items with Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is your best friend when it comes to protecting fragile items during a move. Carefully wrap each item individually using bubble wrap, ensuring that all sides are adequately covered and secure with tape. This will create a protective barrier against shocks and impacts during transit.
3) Add a Soft, Cushiony Material
In addition to bubble wrap, pack a soft and cushion-like material around delicate items as an extra layer of protection. Crumpled packing paper, foam peanuts, or even towels and blankets provide helpful cushioning inside boxes. Place a layer of soft materials at the bottom of the box and between each wrapped item, filling any empty spaces to prevent things from shifting or bumping into each other during transport.
4) Put Heavier Items on the Bottom
Proper weight distribution is essential when packing fragile items. Always place heavier items at the bottom of the box to maintain stability. This prevents lighter and more delicate items from getting crushed. Distribute the weight evenly in moving boxes to ensure balance and minimize the risk of damage during transport.
Related: 5 Best Size Boxes for Moving
5) Use Dividers for Glass Objects
Glassware, such as wine glasses, vases, and delicate figurines, requires extra care when packing. Consider using dividers designed explicitly for glass objects to protect them from potential breakage. These dividers create individual compartments within the box, keeping each item separate and preventing them from knocking into one another.
6) Use Extra Packing Tape
When it comes to securing your packed moving boxes, never underestimate the power of packing tape. Apply additional layers of tape to reinforce the seams and corners of boxes. This helps to prevent them from opening or collapsing during transit, providing extra protection to your fragile items.
7) Label Fragile Items
Properly labeling and organizing fragile items is a simple yet crucial step in ensuring they are safely handled during your move. Clearly mark each box or container holding breakables with bold, easy-to-read instructions and “handle with care” labels or stickers. When the moving company arrives, direct them to specific boxes or belongings that require special attention to ensure those items are moved with extra care.
8) Fill Hollow Items with Packing Paper
Hollow items such as vases, glasses, or ceramic containers are especially susceptible to breakage. Fill the interior space of delicate breakables with packing paper for added protection and support. It will help absorb shock, making items more resistant to impact and reducing the chance of breaking or cracking. Avoid overstuffing; it may exert pressure on fragile items from within. Carefully wrap your treasures with additional packing paper before placing them in a properly labeled box.
9) Seal Liquid Items
It’s crucial to properly seal liquid items such as wine, perfume, and cleaning products to prevent leaking or spills and avoid damage to other things during a move. Ensure that all caps, lids, or stoppers are tightly secured, and double-check for loose or damaged closures. For added protection, wrap the top portion of liquid items with plastic wrap. Place particularly delicate or valuable liquid items in leak-proof bags or containers for additional security. Pack and clearly label liquids in a designated box or bag separate from other breakable items.
10) Hire a Professional Moving Company
Moving and packing fragile items requires special materials, tools, and equipment to ensure their safety and reduce the chance of breakage. Professional movers come equipped with all the necessary packing supplies and know how to effectively pack and transport delicate belongings. Reputable companies also offer insurance options that provide coverage for accidental damage and provide peace of mind.
Related: What to Know Before Working with a Full-Service Mover
We’ll Safely Move Your Fragile Items
Reduce the risk of damage to your fragile belongings and ease the stress of moving. Hire Priority Moving Company! Our team of experienced, dedicated licensed professional movers knows how to move households of all sizes with care and efficiency. We understand the importance of your most delicate items and breakables and have the equipment and expertise to move you into your new home without a concern. We will pack, move, and unpack your household, so you can focus on other moving tasks. Contact us for a free moving quote, or call 503-544-7972 to book your move today!