The Best Ways to Pack Fragile and Difficult Items

Moving to a new home can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, most people who are in the midst of moving find nothing fun, thrilling, or easy about packing all their possessions up. This is particularly true when it comes to packing their expensive, fragile items.

Tips for Packing Breakables

To prevent your costly fragile items from getting into any “accidents” while they are being loaded and in transit, The Box Middle East share some handy and effective tips and techniques for safely packing your most delicate possessions:

1. Prepare all essential packing supplies and tools first

Your packing materials should include:

• Good quality boxes in various sizes
• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Packing peanuts or pellets
• Packing tape
• Black or red marker

2. Give yourself plenty of time to pack your breakables

You should never rush the process of packing porcelain, valuable crystal, china, and other fragile items. Begin packing these items well in advance of moving day. Since you don’t use these fragile items or heirlooms regularly, pack them first. You can start packing them at least four weeks before your scheduled move.

3. Prepare your boxes

Make sure your boxes are strong and secure enough to carry and protect all of the fragile items they will contain. Check the boxes for any signs of structural damage. As an extra insurance against any potential breakage, tape the bottom and the sides of each box as well. Lastly, place crumpled packing paper, bubble wrap or pliable cardboard on the bottom of each box to give it a shock-absorbent layer against unavoidable vibrations and accidental hits.

4. Wrap each fragile item with paper and bubble wrap

Protecting your fragile items starts with wrapping and packing each one properly. First, wrap each item in two layers of bubble wrap and then two layers of packing paper. Lastly, seal the layers with some tape. This additional task will make sure that your delicate items stay nice and tightly wrapped and won’t break while the boxes are being loaded, unloaded, or in transit.

Here are some additional tips for certain fragile items:

• Glasses – Glasses are better protected when they are packed in boxes that are divided into individual compartments. If you’re using a regular box, place crumpled packing paper or peanuts inside larger spaces to fill in empty areas. Fill the space around each glasses with paper as well.

• Plates – After wrapping each plate, place packing paper or packing peanuts between the plates.

• Large-sized framed pictures and paintings – All frames more than 3 feet in size should be covered with a moving blanket before being wrapped in bubble wrap or plastic. They should be moved separately – not placed in a box.

• Lamps – Lamp shades should be boxed with the flat side down and placed in a large box filled with packing paper.

5. Practice caution when placing items into the box

To properly pack the breakables in a box, place the heaviest items on the bottom and the lighter ones at the top. Never over-pack a box; make sure there is at least 1 inch of space at the top. This way, in case a heavier container will be placed on top of your box of breakables, your fragile items will not get cracked or seriously damaged because of the weight.

6. Add the finishing touches

Once a box is filled, add another layer of paper or some bubble wrap on top for additional cushioning and protection. Secure the flaps properly with packing tape. Finally, using the marker, label the box. Aside from writing Fragile on different sides of the box, you can also write Handle with Care to make sure the movers will be extra careful in handling these containers. You can also list the box’s contents outside so you’ll know what’s inside – something that will be really handy when it’s time to unpack.

Packing Other Expensive Items

To properly pack more unique and expensive items, take a look at our tips below:

Specialty items

Specialty items are large and oddly-shaped fragile things. To properly pack these items, consider the shape and size of the piece and any protruding part or handle that could break easily first. Next, completely wrap the item in bubble wrap and secure it with tape. Put the wrapped item on a piece of pliable cut cardboard and cover it with another cardboard of the same size and shape. Secure this makeshift container with tape. Place this item in a box with other fragile items but make sure you add crumpled paper or packing peanuts in the gaps. Label and tape up the box properly when done.

Large pieces of furniture

Sofas, bed frames, mattresses, and dressers are unlikely to be damaged during the move, but their size and shape may make it hard for the movers to handle them. Before the movers arrive, make sure you remove the cushions, covers, etc. so that they won’t fall while they are being carried or whilst in transit. Secure all doors and drawers with stretch tape and wrap small pieces and protruding parts such as handles and legs in bubble wrap.

TV

To avoid damaging your TV during the move, wrap it in a blanket and use tape to secure it. Next, place it in a flat TV box just right for the TV’s size and make sure that it’s packed tightly so that it doesn’t shift around when it’s moved or during transit.

Electronics

Finally, pack your computer components and electronics such as amplifiers, speakers, and DVD players in their original boxes, if you have them. If not, use a box that’s slightly larger than the component and fill the space with packing paper, pellets or packing peanuts. Remove all media from the unit before covering it with bubble wrap and placing it in the box. Secure and label the box properly as well.

Putting some extra care and effort into properly packing your valuable possessions will give you an easier and less stressful time when starting your new life in your new home. You’ll avoid the heartbreak of opening a box and seeing broken items and you’ll be assured that you can get back to using them as quickly as possible.