Moving to a new home is stressful. One concern is ensuring our household goods arrive safely. That’s why knowing how to pack fragile items for a move is essential. Watch the video below and read on for our advice and tips.
The Three Layers of Protection
To safely pack fragile items for a move, you need three layers of protection; an inner wrap, cushioning layer, and a protective shell.
Inner Wrap: This layer covers the item and protects against the loss of paint or other decorations. We often use tissue paper (archival quality if it is going into long-term storage) because it makes soft folds – unlike regular packing paper. Some people think they should use soft fabrics. But the fabric’s fibres could stick to paints or varnishes or get caught in intricate decorations. Fabric can also trap dust and dirt that can scratch the finish.
Cushioning Layers: These layers protect items from bumps and vibrations. They are springy, so they continue to provide cushioning during shipping and handling. We wrap the cushioning layers so that the force of any sudden blows gets distributed throughout the entire package and not directly to the item itself. The cushioning layers can be made of several different materials, including bubble wrap, crumpled packing paper, convoluted foam, or pick and pack foam. In my “How to Pack Fragile Items for a Move” video, I demonstrate wrapping a delicate plate several times with bubble wrap then in packing paper.
Protective Shell: The final layer provides a rigid, non-crushable, puncture-resistant cover. For most of the work we do, good quality cardboard boxes or plastic totes suffice. However, it might be necessary to use a wooden crate for extremely delicate items or items so large they won’t fit in a cardboard box, especially if you are shipping the item over a long distance.
I placed the wrapped plate on several layers of crumpled packing paper and layered more crumpled paper on top to make a soft “bed” all around it (another cushioning layer). Then, I placed the plate in a cardboard box for its protective shell. Next, I put that box inside another box surrounded by another cushioning layer of crumpled paper. This gave us two cushioning layers and two protective shells!
More Tips on How to Pack Fragile Items for a Move
Use the Right Tools
When packing fragile items for a move, do not use household linens, paper towels, or newspapers. Linens, such as towels or blankets, can damage your items (see above). They are slippery, and you can’t properly secure them with tape. Paper towels are flimsy and rip easily. Newspaper ink gets everywhere. You might not be able to remove ink from the item without damaging the item itself. Choose clean, sturdy boxes too.
Advanced Planning is Essential
Do not wait until the last minute to pack fragile items. The more delicate the article, the longer it will take to pack. In addition, you will need extra paper, bubble wrap, cardboard, and perhaps some specialty moving materials. Ensure you have everything you need in advance – including large, brightly coloured, FRAGILE stickers for the boxes.
Set up a “Fragile Item Packing Station” in an area away from the hustle and bustle of moving everything else. Make sure all your packing material is close at hand. You don’t want to leave a half-packed fragile item unattended. Someone could accidentally pack it in a box with other goods.
Extra Planning for Large Fragile Items
If you have large, fragile items such as framed artwork, statues, vases, etc., decide where to place the object in your new home before you move in. You never want to move fragile items more than once if possible. Think about the route you will need to take to get the objects out of one home and into the next. Note any narrow hallways, low ceilings, tight elevators, protrusions (handrails, doorknobs, etc.), or potential trip hazards that might cause problems. Use a trolley or handcart to transport fragile items to minimize the risk of dropping them. Consider putting large, fragile items on the moving truck last and taking them off first, so you do not have to navigate around boxes and furniture. This is where hiring experienced movers are beneficial!
For Those Who Move Often
Typically, I suggest that clients dispose of the original packaging once the warranty period is over. However, if you move homes frequently (military, RCMP, etc.), you may wish to keep the original box and packing material for delicate items. If the original packages are damaged, they won’t protect your goods, so toss them (garbage, recycle, etc.) and use new packing material.
Another option is to invest in pick and pack foam and a sturdy plastic tote. This system is expensive, but it is ideal for moving (and storing) costly and delicate objects and equipment.
Tape and Label
We recommend double taping boxes that hold fragile items. You don’t want any items to fall through the bottom. Brightly coloured FRAGILE labels are essential. You should also add a large arrow pointing to THIS SIDE UP. Make sure you add labels to the top and sides of the box so you can see them from all angles. You may want to include a list of the fragile items within the box either on the box itself or number the box and keep a list on a notepad.
Unpacking Tips
Once you have moved in, take your time before unpacking fragile items. You may wish to place them in a safe area of the house until you have arranged the large, heavy furniture and you have unpacked and organized most of your other household goods.
When you unwrap your fragile items, work as slowly and as carefully as when you packed them. The wrapping material can settle in cracks and crevices of the objects, and delicate bits can get caught and break if you tear off the wrappings. You could also damage the paint or finish if the packing material scrapes over the item.
If you are worried about how to pack fragile items for a move, contact the Out of Chaos team and ask about our Stress-Free Move™ services. We can build a customized plan and manage every detail, right down to packing and unpacking fragile items safely and securely.
