Packing your fragile and most beloved possessions can be a real cause for concern, especially when it is your first time relocating. Glassware, ornaments, and paintings are just some household items that need extra care and caution when handling. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, you can always consider hiring trusted packing services to help you pack like a professional and make sure your prized belongings are well-taken care of.
Below are some important tips to note when packing fragile items.
Use foam peanuts or crumpled paper
Foam peanuts, otherwise known as packing peanuts, and crumpled paper make a great cushion when packing breakable items in boxes. Their soft quality confers an additional layer of protection when the vehicle hits road bumps or when carrying them by hand. You can also use them to fill hollow items such as glasses and vases to keep them fully packed. This will lessen the space for shifting, which will help keep them from cracking or breaking.
Use blankets or pillows as cushion
In addition to foam peanuts and crumpled paper, blankets, pillows, and other soft materials also serve as a cushion that can be used to provide padding at the bottom of the box. This will minimize the tendency for your items to bounce and shift about while on the move.
Individually wrap each item
Fragile items, especially glassware, must be wrapped individually. Sheets of bubble wrap or newspapers are two of the most common materials to use. Wrapping items individually helps keep object-to-object contact to a minimum, and in turn, prevents scratches and cracks. It also provides additional protection on top of your foam peanuts and pillows.
Arrange the items with the heaviest at the bottom
Packing fragile items is not all about cushions and protections. The manner by which you stuff them into your boxes also matters. Make sure to put the heaviest items at the bottom of the box and the light ones on top. This will ensure that the weight of the heavy objects does not force the small items into breakage.
Don’t overpack
It’s always more practical to get extra boxes than overstuffing the ones you have. Filling your boxes to the brim might still cause your items to break, regardless of how much cushion you put, because overfilled and heavy boxes are a lot more difficult to carry around. Not to mention that overly packed boxes can easily fall apart and spill its fragile contents while its being transported.
Use sturdy boxes
No matter how carefully you pack each individual item, all that effort would be wasted if you put everything in flimsy boxes that can easily fall apart. That’s why one of the most important things to consider when packing fragile items is placing them in strong, sturdy boxes. Pick boxes that are stable and easy to carry. Boxes made of thick cardboard or plastic are typically strong enough to hold items such as glassware.
Label your boxes
Even if you made it a point to follow all the tips mentioned above, it will be worthless if you forget to label your boxes properly. Label each box containing delicate items with “FRAGILE” or “HANDLE WITH CARE.” Do this on all sides and don’t worry about overcommunicating as this will ensure that the writings will not be left unnoticed. By doing this, you are reminding other people to carry your boxes with caution.
Packing delicate items can be really stressful, especially when you’re clueless about what you are doing. It requires patience and attention because the consequences can be devastating when you don’t do it the right way. Don’t forget that you can always hire a professional moving company to take care of the packing of your more fragile possessions if you’re not confident enough to do it yourself.