One of the biggest anxieties for anyone going through a home or business relocation is that their fragile valuables might break during transit. Getting the right level of support for your belongings is the goal of every successful move. However, to prepare your items for a long journey you may need to protect them from everything from turbulence to wild weather. To do so, you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time for planning, use the highest quality packing materials, the right techniques and a helping hand from the professionals. In this guide we will cover everything you need to know to give your fragile items the right support during your upcoming move. For more information on any of the topics covered, get in touch with our experienced moving consultants. They can answer any questions you have and will happily provide you with free quotes for any of our services. Give our team a call on 0800 255 433 today.
Plan ahead
The first step to successfully packing your fragile items is to give yourself plenty of time to do it. Starting the process a few weeks before your moving date will give you enough time to plan ahead, source your packing materials and find the right professionals to help without needing to rush or stress. Once you’ve decided on a moving date, it’s recommended that you book your professional moving service as soon as possible to ensure there is availability for your required date and time.
Packing Materials
Boxes
Boxes are one of the most obvious packing essentials for transporting fragile items. However, they are also one of the things most people get wrong. When it comes to boxes, quality is important and the type of box you get matters. High quality, durable boxes ensure that your items get the maximum level of support and protection during transit. What’s equally important is how well the item fits the box. A customised or purpose-built box will provide a higher level of protection because your item won’t have room to move about and bump against the sides of the box. If you can’t find the perfect size box, don’t stress. Using a thick durable box that is too big can still work if you fill up the excess space with some of the other materials mentioned below: bubble wrap, packing peanuts or towels are ideal.
Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is a utility item that provides tremendous value and protection for fragile items during a move. Ensuring that all breakable items are thoroughly covered in bubble wrap will prevent most types of movement from damaging your valuables. While other items, such as packing paper and towels, can add a supportive layer of cushioning, bubble wrap is an industry standard material because it is reliable.
Newspaper or packing paper
Having plenty of newspaper or packing paper handy during a move can be an absolute life saver. Filling the space between items with an extra cushion of newspaper or packing paper can prevent scratches, dents or cracks in fragile items. It can also help to keep your fragile items securely in place so that they do not move during packing, transit or unpacking.
Packing peanuts
Packing peanuts are an exceptional packing material to help fragile items during transit because they can easily fit into any size space. This enables a simply process of buffering your valuables with as much protection as you think necessary for both the safety of your item and for peace of mind. While bubble wrap and packing paper are optimal for protecting the surface area of your fragile items, packing peanuts are best for filling the space in oversized boxes, preventing excessive and dangerous movement.
Plastic furniture covers
If the fragile items in question are pieces of furniture, then plastic furniture covers are a must-have moving resource. Just as bubble wrap can protect the surface of glass or kitchenware, furniture covers will prevent most superficial damage, such as marks, scratches and stains, from occurring. While you will still need to handle furniture with care and ensure it is in a secure position during transit, plastic furniture covers will provide a peace of mind as they are a reliable protection against most types of furniture hazards.
Towels or rags
Towels or rags are a great moving resource for protecting fragile items because they are both effective and generally available. Most people will have some extra towels or rags in their home that they do not need. By using these for protecting your fragile items you can put them to much greater use than disposing of them in the garbage.
Tape
One of the key factors in safely transporting fragile items is making sure that the box they are inside is closed securely. For this job you can’t look past a high quality roll of industrial tape. From fastening the box and taping down movable items, to repairing torn boxes and keeping screws conveniently together, a roll of industrial tape is an essential resource for anyone moving homes or businesses.
Markers
The final essential resource to help you keep fragile items safe during a move is a marker. While this may not directly protect your valuables, it helps to maintain a high level of organisation which can ultimately make it easier to keep track of your items and ensure they receive the attention and support they require. By labelling your boxes, not only will it be easier to find what you need, but you can also label the boxes “FRAGILE” for the movers - letting them know to handle those boxes with extra care.
Packing Common Fragile Goods
Plates
Plates are one of the most common fragile items to get damaged during a move. To help protect your plates, wrap each one individually with bubble wrap or packing paper. Place no more than five in a stack to ensure the weight won’t crack the bottom plates. Add extra packing peanuts or bubble wrap between the plates and in the box to prevent extra moving, rattling and bumping between them.
Glasses
To protect glassware during transit, stuff each glass with packing paper or rags, then roll each glass in bubble wrap or packing paper. When placing inside a box, add a further layer of cushion, such as a rag or towel, between each glass.
Lamps
Remove bulbs from lamps before packing. Separately wrap the bulb in bubble wrap while covering the stand in packing paper or a towel. When packing into a box, fill all extra space with packing peanuts or bubble wrap.
Label your boxes
Clearly labelling your boxes is a strategy that can save you time, effort and stress in the long run. Not only can it help in the organisation and efficiency of your moving process, but it can also prevent the need to unpack your boxes prematurely while searching for something during the move. A well organised move can reduce the unnecessary movement and stress of fragile items and ultimately improve the safety of your valuables.
Don’t overpack boxes
One of the most common mistakes that leads to the damage of fragile items is overpacking the boxes. Putting too much weight in one box risks compromising the structural integrity of the box. If this happens, it can break and result in all items falling out and smashing. Even without the box giving in, too many items within one box will often knock against each other during the journey and lead to cracks, scratches and damage to your valuables. A general rule of thumb to follow is to place no more than 4kg in any one box, though this will change slightly depending on the type of box you have. It’s always better to lean on the lighter size when it comes to the weight of your boxes, especially with fragile items.
Use the highest quality materials
Friends and family will often offer to give you their old boxes and packing materials to help with your move. While generous, it is ill-advised because old, weak boxes lead to broken items and heartbreak. Instead, always use the highest quality boxes and packing supplies that are available to you. If this means purchasing new materials even while your relatives are offering second hand resources, so be it. It’ll be worth it in the end.
Get help from the professionals
The most effective way to protect your fragile items during a move is to leave it to the trained, experienced professionals. By combining the best industry methods with the highest quality packing materials, our teams can protect your items from the moment we help you pack, to the moment we unpack them at your new destination. A professional helping hand can take the weight off your shoulders and the stress of your mind, all while giving your valuables the support they need. To find out more about the services we offer to assist with your move, get in touch. You can request a free quote for any of our services by speaking with our friendly support team or by filling out the online quote request form today.