The Ultimate Room-by-Room Guide to Packing Fragile Items for a Move

More than 50% of all household goods claims are attributed to poor packing. This is not surprising as many items can get damaged in poorly packed boxes during a move. The techniques that actually prevent breakage aren’t complicated, but they’re specific, and most people don’t know them until after something breaks.

Kitchen: The Hardest Room to Pack Right

The most common mistake people make when packing plates is to stack them flat. This may seem like the right thing to do, as this is how they are stored in your cabinet, but this puts all the stress right on the center of the plate, the weakest point. Pack plates vertically, on their edges, the way you would store records in a crate. The edge of a ceramic plate can take a ton more pressure than the face of one, and a dish barrel (a double walled, purpose built box that’s strong enough to support the weight of a full kitchen) will keep them snugly upright.

For glassware and stemware, cell dividers are a worthy purchase. Each piece gets its own compartment (and thus doesn’t touch any other piece, which is how chips and cracks happen.) Stemware is particularly delicate because the stem itself can easily snap under lateral pressure even if the bowl and base are fine. Wrap each glass individually, starting with the base, and give the stem its own cradle inside the compartment.

Hollow items, vases, pitchers, ceramic bowls, should first be filled with crumpled up packing paper. This paper cushions equally from all sides and keeps the walls of your item from caving in when weight is applied. Most people skip this step. You want to make sure that when professional house movers buffalo (or ones in your area) are moving your items, that they are safe and secure, ready to be taken out and put away when you arrive.

Living Room and Home Office: Electronics and Art

Before you unplug an electronic component, take a photo of the back of the unit. It’s surprisingly easy to forget where all those cords go when you’re reconnecting your TV or audio system, and a photo is a quick and easy memory jog. Once photographed, wrap electronics in anti-static bubble wrap; standard bubble wrap is no substitute. Wrapping electronics in plastic wrap creates electrostatic discharge that can destroy onboard components.

Framed art or large mirrors should be transported in telescoping boxes, which you can adjust with a few simple cuts of the box cutter to the exact dimensions of your piece. Before boxing, run a long strip of masking tape along the glass on both sides to secure glass or mirror surfaces. If the glass cracks in transit the tape holds the shard together and prevents a full break. For particularly precious pieces, double boxing is your friend. The item goes in one box that fits it snugly and then is set inside a second box with cushioning material packed snugly around the smaller internal box. It’s the same shipping method used for fragile scientific equipment, the inside box absorbs direct impact while the outer box protects against the truck.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms: Smaller Items, Easy to Overlook

Fragile items such as glass vanity items, perfume bottles, bathroom mirrors, and jewelry boxes are often underestimated in the packing process. They may be small, but that doesn’t mean they won’t break. It is important to pack them carefully to avoid damage. Place each item individually in non-acidic packing paper to prevent ink transfer from newspaper to your items. Newsprint ink transfers easily to porous surfaces and can cause stains on finishes and glass. For bathroom mirrors, use a telescoping mirror box and edge protectors. Lastly, pack jewelry boxes and decorative items in a separate and clearly labeled box with packing paper between each item. Make sure not to place this box where heavier items can be stacked on top of it.

The Shake Test and Load Order

Before you tape anything shut, do a simple shake check. Lift the box, hold it about to your chest, and give it a light shake. If it rattles or shifts, your cushioning isn’t sufficient, and your items are likely bouncing against each other and the box. Add more packing paper until the contents feel firmly wedged in place, then tape it shut.

All the careful packing in the world won’t protect your possessions during transit if you don’t load the truck properly. Heavy boxes go on the bottom, lighter and fragile boxes on top. And no matter how well a box is packed, it won’t do well underneath a box of books.

If that seems overwhelming for all your fragile possessions, antiques, your grandmother’s china, your art collection, house movers have access to professional-grade materials and equipment that will be difficult to acquire on your own at home.

Labeling and Arrival

Indicate the presence of fragile items by marking the corresponding boxes on three sides: the top side, and both adjacent sides. Using the word “Fragile” is a good start, but to ensure the orientation of the box is immediately clear, also write “This Side Up” in addition to drawing an arrow. Create an inventory of high-value articles including a short description of each, and check them off as the boxes are being unloaded.

Prepare a specific location in your new home before the unloading process begins, such as marking a room as cleared or setting a table as the spot for placing any fragile boxes. This way, boxes won’t end up on the floor in a hallway while other items are being sorted.