Moving from one home to another home is a task that is draining, time-consuming and hectic. When deciding to relocate, there are a lot of factors to consider before the actual move. Having to pack up your things in preparation for the move can take weeks and sometimes months.
After going through the pain of packing and then moving, you would be sad to realize some of your precious heirlooms or antiques got broken during the moving process. There are specific ways to pack to avoid damages to fragile items, and these tips will ensure that your valuables are intact upon arrival at your new home.
To ensure your valuable items are safe and secure during and after packing, consider using these packing methods.
Use Various Box Sizes
Having boxes of similar size won't do the job. Some items are safer in smaller boxes to avoid movement and jiggling. Purchase box sizes ranging from shoe size-small to big sizes (depending on the size of your largest piece). When filling in the boxes, heavier items should be placed in shallower boxes while lighter items placed on top bigger boxes.
Don’t Over-stuff
When packing, try not to over-stuff a box hoping additional tape will keep it secure. When packing fragile items, the trick is to have a pack that's firm and snugly packed to avoid jiggling. When you over-stuff a box, the pressure within the box is enough to break some valuables during movement. Be generous with packs especially for items you tag fragile.
Stuff Soft Items Beneath Boxes
When packing fragile items, make sure you tape the bottom of the box to ensure things do not fall out from beneath. You should also use soft materials like towels or packing paper to layer the bottom of the box. Doing this provides padding for your valuables and helps reduce the force of impact during movement.
Stuff Hollowed Items With Crumpled Paper
Things you consider fragile should be wrapped separately and secured with tape. Delicate items like wine glasses are more secured wrapped with extra papers and snugly packed to avoid jiggling. Stuff items like goblets and vases with crumpled packing paper to eliminate space before wrapping them individually and placing in a box layered with towels or bubble wrap.
Mark Your Boxes
Ensuring everyone involved in the moving process knows which box contains fragile item is to mark each box boldly with the word ‘FRAGILE.’ Mark everywhere around the pack (on the top, bottom, and sides). Also, remember to label boxes based on the contents within.
These few tips above would guarantee the safe movement of fragile items from your old home to your new. It would save you the cost of having to replace damaged or broken glassware and the heartache of losing a precious heirloom.
