Packing and moving are already challenging, but when you add extremely fragile items into the mix, the process gets more stressful. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about breaking anything valuable or irreplaceable. Instead, you can focus on following these tips and ensure your item makes it to your new home safely.

Use Dividers

Typically, items break not because they get knocked around but because they hit other belongings and crack from the stress. This result is even more common when multiple fragile things are in the same box (i.e., wine glasses).

So, one way to protect each piece is to use dividers between them. Cardboard is the most common material, but you can use other items like newspapers, towels, clothing, or paperback books. If you use a variety of things, make sure that they won’t shift too much during transit. If so, they may not protect anything, defeating their purpose.

Using specially designed glass pack kits for glass and stemware is ideal. These boxes are compartmentalized to accommodate glassware, stemware, and crystal. Often, these kits include foam padding to enclose and isolate each piece. 

Wrap Each Piece Individually

The more protected a fragile item is, the less likely it will break. The amount of protection depends on the piece itself. For example, a glass jar may be relatively rigid, but a glass decor item with small pieces may break far more quickly.

Try to take the item apart and wrap each component separately. This way, nothing will get knocked around, and there are fewer stress points where cracking and breaking could occur. Bubble wrap is an excellent insulator, but newspaper or clothing can also work in a pinch.

Take Your Time

Moving is one of those things that can sneak up on you if you’re not careful. If you make it to moving day and haven’t packed your fragile items, you should still avoid rushing. The faster you try to pack, the more likely you could make a mistake and either break the thing as you wrap and pack it or leave it vulnerable for the move.

Double and triple-check your packing job to ensure you have wrapped the piece tightly and securely. If necessary, gently shake the box to see if anything shifts or becomes dislodged.

Mark the Fragile Boxes

A “fragile” sticker can make it easier for you and the movers to know which boxes need extra care and attention. However, if the item is extra fragile, mark the carton as such. This way, movers can take additional time to ensure that nothing goes wrong by accident.

Use Foam and Other Shock Absorbers

Foam is an excellent material for packing fragile belongings because it absorbs shocks and prevents the item from shifting too much. While using molded foam is best, standard square pieces can also work. If necessary, you may have to tape the foam to the piece so it doesn’t come loose in transit.

Get Professional Moving Help for Large, Fragile Items

Small, delicate items are easy enough to pack on your own. However, you should get professional assistance if you have larger items like a chandelier or antique furniture piece. This way, you can ensure that every angle is covered, and there is almost no chance that the piece will fall or hit the wall.

Help Moving Your Fragile Items

Don’t stress about your most precious belongings! Instead, let us help you have a stress-free move so you can focus on the other issues that matter. Contact us today for a free quote.