There’s nothing worse than unpacking a fragile item and finding it smashed to smithereens. The trick to avoiding this is simple. You need to know how to package fragile items properly to prevent damage during storage or transit so your items arrive safely and intact.
Step 1: Choose the Right Box
Start by selecting sturdy cardboard packaging that suits the weight and size of your item. For fragile goods, a double wall cardboard box is often the best choice, as it provides extra strength and protection against impact. You can find a range of cardboard packaging available at specialist sites, so you can choose the option that offers the best protection.
Step 2: Wrap Each Item Individually
Each fragile item should be wrapped separately using bubble wrap, packing paper, or foam. This prevents them from knocking into each other while in transit, reducing the risk of cracks or breakage.
Step 3: Cushion the Base and Sides
Before placing your items inside, add a layer of cushioning material at the bottom of the box. Once your item is safely placed inside, ensure that you fill any gaps around the sides with padding to stop movement during transit.
Step 4: Seal and Secure the Box
Use strong packing tape to seal all openings securely and reinforce the edges and seams to keep the box closed during its journey.
Step 5: Label the Box Clearly
Lastly, clearly mark the box as fragile and indicate which side should face up. Use big bold lettering or purchase stickers that get the message across.
Packing the rest of the house well
Fragile items need special care, but the rest of the move benefits from a plan too. Start with a first night box. Fill it with everything you will need on moving day and that first evening, such as cooking basics, medication, pet food, towels and toiletries, and keep it with you so you are not digging through boxes.
Gather materials in advance. You want a good mix of box sizes, including some heavy duty ones, along with plenty of tape, bubble wrap and labels. Packing always takes longer than expected, so begin early with things you will not need before the move, such as off-season clothes.
Resist the urge to overfill boxes when you run short. Overloaded boxes can injure you or the removal team, and they put valuable and sentimental items at risk of breaking. Using more boxes, each a manageable weight, keeps everything safer in transit.