Preparing to move? There are a great many things to do when you’re preparing for a move, but one of the most substantial and most readily remembered tasks is packing. Everyone knows prepping for a move means lots and lots of packing.
It makes sense to go through each room in the house and methodically wrap, pack, and stack everything up. While this method is certainly organized, there is another element to consider: fragile items. Each room in your home likely has something fragile that will need to be packed differently than other, more sturdy items.
What qualifies as a fragile item? What are the best ways to pack fragile items for moving? As professional movers who’ve been in business for decades, our team at Colonial Van Lines knows a thing or two about answering these questions.
Types of Fragile Items
Let’s first take a look at some common types of fragile items you’re likely to have in your home. These can include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Glassware: Glassware is going to be highly susceptible to damage during a move. From your delicate wine glasses to any type of decorative pieces made of glass. Keep that in mind as you prepare your packing list.
- Chinaware: Chinaware is also very easily broken. It will be very important to have the right packing materials and boxes ready to go for this kind of household item.
- Oddly Shaped Furniture: This might seem like a strange thing to include in the list, but the reality is that most furniture is pretty boxy in shape. Any furniture items that are irregularly shaped are going to be at risk.
- Electronics: Your electronics aren’t going to be able to handle being thrown into random boxes and packed up carelessly. They need to be packaged carefully—even the temperature during your move should be a consideration for your electronic devices.
- Art: Any art item, from a figurine to a painting, needs to be packed very carefully. Weather also plays a role in damage for certain types of art, so keep that in mind.
Moving Fragile Items
The first step in moving fragile items is to have all the needed equipment ready to go, including items such as:
- Bubble Wrap
- Boxes
- Markers
- Newspaper
- Glass and Dish Packers
- Plastic Furniture Covers
- Tape
- Towels and Rags
- Packing Peanuts
Once you’ve assembled all the above-listed equipment and any other useful items you think would come in handy, you’re ready to move on to the actual packing process.
How to Wrap Fragile Items for Moving
How to wrap fragile items for moving is going to depend on the item in question. For items that go inside boxes, start by securing the boxes with tape on the seams. If the box breaks open, your items are going to fall out and break.
Once the box is secure, build a cushion base of packing peanuts, bubble wrap, towels, or rags. Then wrap each item up securely in newspaper, towels, bubble wrap, etc. Put additional material in between particularly thin areas (such as the stems of wine glasses) to act as a cushion and barrier between items.
Put the heaviest items on the bottom of the box and stack the lighter items on top. Some glass and dish packers will already have dividers in place where you can insert items.
This is essential: Fragile items must not have wiggle room in their boxes. If they do, they’re liable to move about and break. Be sure to fill in any extra space you can see with towels or other packing materials.
Label the top of each box as FRAGILE, so you’ll be reminded as you pack them and unpack them.
When it comes to your oddly shaped furniture, covering the items up in plastic furniture covers after padding sharp or delicate areas with towels or rags should do the trick. Be sure to secure the furniture covering with tape on the outside.
Colonial Van Lines and Moving Fragile Items
Moving fragile items can be scary, intimidating work. We’ve been in the business of moving people and their belongings for decades. You can trust our team at Colonial Van Lines to handle your move and your fragile items with extreme care and professionalism. Contact us to learn more about our packing services today.