8 Easy Tips for Packing Fragile Items for Moving

Many of us have heard stories of people who lost their valuable and fragile items just for not taking the time to pack them correctly and using the wrong packing materials.

We’ve prepared a list of 8 packing tips on how to pack fragile items for moving.

Prepare All the Materials

Gather the right tools and packing materials for fragile items, including these supplies:

• Dish pack boxes.
• Sturdy boxes or containers in various sizes.
• Packing paper.
• Corrugated fiberboard pads or pliable cardboard.
• Bubble wrap.
• Scissors.
• Packing tape.

We do not recommend using old towels, sheets, or small linens for packing breakable items; they are not reliable or strong to protect breakables.

Use the Right Type of Box

The best practice to maximize the protection of your fragile items is using the right type of medium boxes. They are double corrugated and specially designed for fragile objects. Some of them come with an optional partition kit, which includes partitions and layer pads.

Place the Heaviest Objects at the Bottom

Remember to place the heaviest fragile objects at the bottom of the box, with lighter breakable items on top. Also, make sure there's no extra space inside the box, use packing paper, and bubble wrap. This is particularly important to ensure that items don't move around in the box and break.

Label the Boxes!

Sign the boxes, for example, ‘Fragile’ and ‘Up’ with an arrow on every side. Write all the details on the top of the box with fragile items, e.g. musical instruments for the living room. It will help movers to place these boxes in the correct room in your new house when moving fragile items.

Paintings, Mirrors & Wall Art

• Use packing tape to make an X across the front of the mirror or the painting. The tape will keep the glass in place in case it cracks or breaks.
• Cut a piece of cardboard that is the same or similar size as the painting or mirror, and place it on top of the glass.
• Wrap the whole painting or mirror with bubble wrap, secure it with masking tape.
• Put a layer of packing paper at the bottom of the box for extra protection, put the item inside the box with fragile items, and fill in all the spaces.

Important Tip: In case you need two boxes to pack the paintings or mirrors, put a second box on top of the other by telescoping them together.

Dishes, Plates & Cups

• Wrap delicate items with bubble wrap. Pay special attention to handles that have to be wrapped more carefully. Stuff every glass or cup with packing paper. If a thing comprises several details, for example, a sugar bowl, then you should wrap in the paper every detail separately.
• Pack dishes into small boxes. Fill the empty space with balled paper, bubble wrap, or foam plastic in order to fixate your stuff.
• Put the dishes vertically. We advise you to make carton boards in a box between wine glasses, cups, and plates.

Flat Screen TV

• If you saved your TV's original box, you can just use it with the padding material that came with it. If you don't have the packing materials, a good option is wrapping the entire flat-screen TV with bubble wrap and packing paper. This will add extra protection when packing fragile items.
• When the original box is not available, the next best option is buying a flat-screen TV box. They are specially designed to protect your expensive item, and they are thicker than regular medium boxes.
• For a cheaper option, wrap the entire TV with a soft blanket and then secure it with packing tape. Then, use one or two layers of bubble wrap over the blanket and secure it with tape.
• In many cases, you have to remove the base of the TV to fit the appliance in the box, so make sure you won't lose this piece. Wrap the base with bubble wrap and then tape it to the outside of the box where you packed your appliance.

Important Tip: Even if you use a special TV box, a good packing tip for extra protection of delicate items is to wrap the whole box with a moving blanket or a furniture pad, or just with a heavy cover.

Electronics

• Use the original boxes to repack your electronic devices. They are specially designed to provide the best protection for these fragile items. In case you didn't save the original packing, look for sturdy boxes, plastic containers, packing paper, and anti-static bubble wrap.
• Disconnect the cables from the devices, roll them up and secure them with rubber bands or zip ties. To reduce the chance of battery leakage, remove the batteries from certain devices.
• Wrap electronics in anti-static bubble wrap to avoid harmful effects of static electricity. If you prefer not to spend on the packing materials, pack your fragile items in packing paper to prevent dust from clogging your electronics.
• Cover your electronics with sheets, light blankets, or moving pads for extra protection. Put a layer of paper, a sheet, or a towel in the bottom of the box to add more protection.
• Fill all the empty spaces with crumpled paper or other cushioning material to avoid damage during the transportation of your fragile electric devices. Place a layer of packing material on the top.

If you need the help of a moving company, don't hesitate to contact professional packers in San Francisco from Got2Move. We will be happy to provide you with personalized services of specialty moving.