A Guide On Packing Fragile Items By Yourself

Fragile items like picture frames, glassware, and appliances are one of the most challenging things to pack when you are moving. It requires focus, care, and a lot of patience. Hence, whether you are doing a house move or an office move, it would be a good idea to hire professional movers and packers to do the job.

Professional removalists are not only trained and skilled in safely packing your delicate items, they are also built well enough to pick up and carry your larger items without worry. If, however, you are the type who feels uneasy at the thought of strangers handling their fragile and most precious items, you may easily follow this guide on packing fragile items by yourself. 

Invest in Good Quality Packing Materials

When buying packing materials, always consider their quality. You will want to get something that will protect your fragile items. You wouldn’t want to use flimsy cardboard boxes or substandard packing tape. As much as possible, aim for sturdier boxes and packing tapes that stick well.

Meanwhile, here’s a guide on purchasing packing boxes.

Use Packing Paper or Bubble Wrap

Packing paper and bubble wrap are crucial in protecting your fragile items. Covering your fragile items with either or both will protect them from damaging contact with other items.

If you are using both, remember that packing paper should serve as the first layer, while the bubble wrap comes second. Make sure to wrap each item individually and seal it with tape. 

If your items can be taken apart, remove each piece and then bubble wrap them separately. This will prevent friction damage between each individual part as well. 

If you are not too keen on using wrapping paper and bubble wrap, towels, linens and newsprints are great alternatives!

Fill Empty Spaces with Cushioning Materials

When we pack fragile items, there will be empty spaces left in the box. Leaving these empty spaces unfilled will mean leaving your items unprotected from vibrations and from moving about within the box. Both instances may end up causing damage to your items

To avoid this, fill the box with cushioning materials like packing paper, packing peanuts, towels, or linens.

Remember, empty spaces are not an opportunity for you to fill the box with more items! Trying to fit as much stuff as you can with fragile items may lead to costly or irreparable damages. 

Store Plates Vertically

Plates are delicate pieces that should be placed in a medium-sized box. After wrapping each piece with packing paper and bubble wrap, put them vertically in the box to reduce the opportunity for movement. 

You will notice that the plates will be in a much stable position as compared to when packing them horizontally. Also remember not to put anything on top of your plates to avoid the risk of damage. 

This technique is also applicable to framed photos and paintings.

Organize and Gather Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are valuable and fragile items that can be challenging to move or transport. With that, you should be keen in making sure that they are placed carefully in a box or particular container. If each device’s original box is still in good condition, use them to lessen waste and costs. 

Before placing then in the box, arrange the wires and fragile pieces of your appliances first. Don’t put any items on top of your electronics’ glass or screen to safely move them upon getting to your new home or business space. It is also wise if you take some pictures for insurance and reference.

For more packing tips for your electronics, read here!

Use Sturdy Dividers for Glassware, Plates, and Other China

As you pack fragile items, getting corrugated cardboard dividers is not a bad idea. It will help you to prevent your glassware from colliding with one another! If you own expensive pieces, it should be your top priority to keep each item in their best condition. Wrap them first with a newsprint and bubble wrap before packing them into a box with the necessary dividers.

Put Extra Protection On Mirrors

Place the mirror on a flat, soft surface such as your bed. Place strips of the masking tape diagonally, from one corner of the mirror to the other. Do this until you form an “X” with the tape. By doing this, you can ensure that your mirror will not shatter in case it gets broken. Taping the glass will also protect its frame from getting damaged if the mirror falls from a high height. This way, you will only replace the broken mirror rather than the whole thing.

Most people only focus on protecting the glass rather than protecting the frame. However, failing to protect the latter is a big mistake, as the frame itself also serves as a protection for the glass mirror.

Hence, protecting the frame is vital. After all, damage does not only result from impact on the glass but also from the excessive vibration and movement while in transit. Use corner protectors to protect the frame. These protectors are ideal for frames that have right-angled edges. Use bubble wrap for frames that are curved or ornate.

Pack the Heaviest Items First

Large and heavy items should be packed first so that they are placed at the bottom of the box. Doing so will make sure that the smaller and lighter items do not get crushed in the process of packing up. 

Organizing things in this manner can save you a lot of money and frustration.

Make Sure to Label Boxes

There are many perks when you label your moving boxes:

• It will be easier for you to know the contents inside.
• If you wish to keep your items in storage, you won’t have a hard time guessing which box to store and save.
• It allows your movers and packers to know which contains the breakables.

Labelling boxes is also easy since all you will need is a marker, tape, and paper! You can place the label on top of the box or the side. For more tips on labelling your boxes for moving, check this out. 

Fortify the Bottom and Sides of the Box with Tape

Before you pack fragile items inside a box, check the box’s bottom and fortify it with as much tape as possible. Doing so will provide a more stable base no matter how heavy, or many the contents are. You will also want to do this to the sides of your boxes to minimise the chances of them bursting open in transit.

Now that you know how to pack fragile items by yourself for moving, you won’t have to worry about your houseplants, ceramics, or mirrors. You’ll be virtually ready to start your new life at your new place. Here are some things you should remember to look for while you settle in.