When moving into a new house or office, there are several fragile items that can be easily destroyed without proper handling techniques and equipment. Although it is always recommended that fragile items are clearly marked during relocation, it does not guarantee that all your glassware and other precious belongings will get to the new place in the same condition they were initially. Ending up with broken items will not only cause you frustrations but, could also come with greater financial burdens.
Sometimes, even the best mover can experience problems along the way, resulting in losses. But, most of these hitches can easily be avoided with proper packing instructions for fragile items.
Tips on how to safely pack fragile items when planning to relocate
Create an ample packing space
Fragile items are usually sensitive to a lot of defects including, the slightest scratches and falls. Therefore, it is important that you first prepare adequate space for free movements when packing the items. The floor can be a great space to arrange and pack your fragile belongings since it reduces chances of falling objects or bumping into other items that can cause scratches. You can prepare one room to use for packing fragile items.
Put all your packing supplies together
In most occasions, people use cardboard boxes to pack their items when moving. However, these are not usually the best for fragile items. With cardboard boxes, the weight of the items can sometimes be overwhelming and fall off from the bottom, which could cost you a lot. Plastic storage boxes are the best for packing fragile items due to their durability. As you prepare for the move, you should shop around for quality plastic boxes.
When choosing moving boxes, it is important to remember that the supplies come in various shapes and sizes. An ideal box should be spacious enough to hold the items that you intend to pack therein. Besides, you should also go for a manageable size to give you an easy time during loading, transport and offloading.
As you put together all the packing supplies, you also need to find as many newspapers as you can. These will be used in filling up spaces in the storage boxes to reduce the impact of damage that could result from bumps on the road. Besides, it is also advisable that you have brown papers and packing tape.
Steps for packing fragile items when moving
With all the preparations discussed above in place, you can now focus on how to safely arrange your fragile items in the moving boxes. For a quick overview of the packing process, you can refer to our blog post on packing tips. You can then combine the guidelines with the steps outlined below to ensure that your fragile items are safely packed for moving.
Start by lining the moving boxes
Using the collected newspapers, bubble wraps and other pieces of paper, line the storage boxes. However, the pieces of paper should come on top, leaving the bubble wraps and newspapers at the bottom. As you line the boxes, make sure that the papers are flattened to the same level so that your items are well balanced. Lining the storage boxes is important in cushioning the items from damage in the event of a drop or fall.
Pack flat items like, plates and saucers first
By placing flat items like, plates and saucers first, you are able to create a safe ground for other items that will come in later. However, you should always put the larger and heavier ones at the bottom, leaving the lighter and smaller ones to come last. Before the items are placed into the storage boxes, each should be properly draped using brown paper and newspapers. In case the items is very delicate, you may also consider adding bubble wraps. These items should be carefully stacked, making sure there is proper cushioning between each.
In case you have some fragile items in odd shapes like, wine goblets, these should be packed last. They should also be wrapped in brown paper, newspapers and bubble wraps then placed on their sides. For safety, you should never force any time into the storage box. If the space is inadequate, simply save it for the next box. Fragile items can be easily destroyed even with the lightest impact.
Fill all the empty spaces
When your items are loosely packed, it is easier for the stack to break during movements, which could cause serious losses. Therefore, you should never leave any space inside the moving boxes. After packing each box, carefully look inside the box for any spaces that could disrupt the arrangement. Shredded paper and newspapers are the best to use in filling up empty spaces inside storage boxes. Stuff as much papers as possible until the items are tightly packed.
Make sure the top of the boxes are lined and secured
After placing all your belongings into the storage boxes, do not rush into sealing them. Instead, spread more shredded paper and newspapers over the items to reduce strain in case other boxes are stacked on top. The shredded papers should properly cover all the items in the box, without leaving any protruding edges. With that, you can now start sealing the boxes in readiness for transport.
The best way to secure your boxes is using a packing tape. Cover all the lids of the moving boxes tightly then run the tape across to ensure they cannot easily open even under intensive movements.
Clearly mark all the moving boxes
Having packed everything and sealed all the storage boxes, you should then label them as, ‘’Fragile.’’ Your mover can provide the stickers but, you can also acquire them from stationery outlets. The labeling should be done on both sides of the boxes as well as at the top so that those handling them are able to exercise caution.
At Mover Singapore, we understand the stress that you can experience when packing and, have the best solutions to save you from all that. Simply hire our moving services to avoid the hassles of moving to a new house or office.