Tips For Protecting & Packing Fragile Items During Your Move

1. Start With Breakables
2. Quality Packing Materials
3. Use Enough Cushioning
4. The Shake Test
5. Labeling & Insurance
6. Bottom Line

Packing your items for a move is nerve wracking. After all, you don't want to damage anything and many fragile things in the home will require special care and attention in order to prepare and pack. Having said that, with a little knowledge, this is something that can be easily accomplished. Follow these tips to ensure your fragile items are protected and they arrive at your new home without a mark.

Start With Breakables

In most cases, the items that are most fragile and delicate will also not be things used every day. Start by gathering together all the china, wine glasses, decorative vases and anything else that might fit this definition. You want to do this way ahead of time so that it doesn't become an issue on moving day.

Listen to the advice of the AMSA, and take your time when doing this work. Just focus on properly wrapping and packing them up. Then, store these boxes carefully in a very low-traffic area of the home.

Quality Packing Materials

One of the real keys to ensuring the successful move of your fragile and breakable items is the use of quality packing materials. They should be sturdy enough to ensure that it makes the trip without a scratch. Focus on obtaining and using:

• Strong, sturdy cardboard boxes
• Bubble wrap
• Cell boxes (for glass and stemware)
• Packing paper or blank newsprint
• Durable packing tape

Cell boxes are excellent for things like glassware since they include individual cardboard dividers. This helps to keep the packed items stationary and prevents them from banging together.

Use Enough Cushioning

Wrap every item in high-quality packing paper and also bubble wrap to be on the safe side. Reinforce glasses against outside pressure by stuffing them with crumpled paper. Also, place some crumpled paper at the bottom of each individual cell (in a cell box) before placing the glass.

Line each box with crumpled paper on the bottom. You could also use packing peanuts and/or towels. Carefully placing the items inside, fill any spaces in between with more padding. Then, after each box is fully packed, top it off with several sheets of packing paper and/or a towel (or blanket) for extra security.

The Shake Test

After packing a box, give it a very careful shake test. Close the flaps in the exact fashion that it will be sealed. Then lift it very carefully and shake it to see if anything moves or makes noise or knocks into something else. If you hear or feel anything, give it more cushioning. You need to ensure everything will remain stationary in transit.

Labeling & Insurance

Always label each box. Use the words FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP to let everyone know exactly how to handle these boxes. You might also want to consider purchasing additional insurance coverage for these fragile items, known as Full Value Protection. You could even think about purchasing such coverage from a third party carrier.

Bottom Line

You could also always hire professional movers. They will be more than willing, in most cases, to extend their packing services. Of course, this will also lengthen the amount of time the move takes, which could add several hours onto your bottom line moving price in addition to the extra packing charge.