Moving house can be a stressful experience, especially when it comes to packing your fragile items. Being concerned about your valuable possessions getting damaged during the moving process is understandable.

With all the handling boxes undergo during a move, it’s important to take extra care to protect your fragile items and ensure they arrive in one piece.

Proper packing when moving house is key to ensuring the safety of your fragile possessions during a move. If you focus on how to pack fragile items for moving house, with a considered approach, even the most delicate items can be moved without any damage.

How to Pack the Most Common Fragile Items

Glassware

Individually wrap glasses with packing paper and fill any large spaces inside with crumpled paper. Use ample packing paper to line the bottom and top of small to medium boxes. Fill spaces around the glasses with paper to minimise movement inside the box.

When stacking items, place the heaviest items at the bottom and the lighter ones on top.

Plates

For plates, pack them vertically in boxes of small to medium size, and line the bottom and top with crumpled packing paper. Wrap each plate in bubble wrap and secure it with tape. Insert packing paper between the standing plates and avoid overloading the box.

TVs & Monitors

Packing flat-screen TVs can be challenging. First, remove any cables and accessories, including stand legs, wrap them together, and place them in a labelled box. Wrap the screen in a soft moving blanket, securing it with packing tape all around the device. Ideally, you will want to put the TV inside a box that is the appropriate size and close it with tape.

Pictures/Frames

For picture frames, place them in small to medium boxes lined with paper. If they’re larger than 20 cm, stand them upright and insert crumpled paper between each piece. Wrap the frames in packing paper, and top them with more paper to prevent movement inside the box. When moving paintings and pictures over a metre in size, secure them with a moving blanket, wrap with plastic, and move them separately.

Oddly Shaped Items

There are some household items that may be an odd size or shape and require a different approach. For items such as an antique vase, mirror, or chandelier, you need to consider the size, shape, and any fragile handles or protrusions. If appropriate, the best solution is to dismantle them into smaller pieces and wrap each piece in bubble wrap, then secure it with packing tape.

If you’re not able to dismantle, wrap thoroughly in bubble wrap, secure with packing tape, and place inside of a box for additional protection.

We’ve outlined a range of tips to help you plan your move so that you can protect your fragile items.

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Packing Tips for Fragile Items

1. Always Use Sturdy Boxes

It is essential to prioritise the strength and stability of the box during the moving process. Avoid using boxes that show signs of weakness or flimsy structure before even packing any items. Choosing a thicker and sturdy box is the safer option, and it is better to be cautious than risk damaging your belongings during transportation.

2. Small Boxes for Heavy Fragile Items

Using smaller boxes for moving is a more manageable and safer option, as they reduce the chance of items shifting during transport. Ensure to fully cushion the interior of the box by filling any empty spaces with ample padding material.

3. Heavy Items Always go at the Bottom

Arrange items in your boxes from largest to smallest. The larger and heavier items can provide support and protect the smaller ones. This helps them from getting damaged if there is any movement during transport.

4. Try to Wrap Items Individually

Fragile items, whether glasses, plates or delicate decorations, should be individually wrapped. Detach any loose parts, such as lids, and wrap them separately. Delicate items like china should be wrapped in bubble wrap and secured with tape. It’s best to pack these fragile items into smaller boxes rather than stacking them with too many other items.

5. Use Tape to Secure the Box

Supplementing the box with additional strips of tape on the underside reinforces its structure. This can prevent it from collapsing under the weight of its contents and keep your items safe.

6. Use Soft Packing Material as a Box Liner

You can use a variety of materials such as packing paper, bubble wrap, foam, styrofoam peanuts, or even towels to cushion the bottom of the box. Make sure to fill in any remaining empty spaces once the box is full. Any extra support is recommended.

7. Labelling Fragile Boxes is a Must

Clearly mark boxes containing fragile items with “FRAGILE” in bold letters, and set them apart from other items. This lets movers know to handle them with extra care, ensuring their safe and secure transport.

8. Dividers for Glasses and Stemware

Invest in sturdy cardboard dividers or special boxes with built-in dividers. This is ideal for stemware to ensure each item stays secure and separate during transport. Dividers are perfect for preventing any collisions or damage inside the box.

9. Use Packing Paper to Fill Hollow Items

Items with hollow spaces, such as glasses, jars, or vases should be stuffed with crumpled packing paper. This will help to reduce the impact of vibrations during the move.

10. There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Packing Tape

Ensure delicate items are wrapped firmly with either packing paper or bubble wrap. Using plenty of packing tape to keep the wrapping secure is crucial. This will help to prevent the movement of items during transportation and provide additional support.

11. Don’t Rush

During the packing process for a move, it’s natural to want to get things done quickly. However, when it comes to handling fragile items, it’s important to take your time and exercise caution.

Taking the necessary precautions and being mindful of your actions will prevent hasty mistakes. Ensure the safe arrival of your delicate items on moving day by taking your time and packing properly.

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How to Pack Fragile Items For Moving House