How to Pack Fragile Items

Unpacking your fragile items in a new home can be a bit nerve-wracking as you see whether any of your beloved belongings haven’t survived the move. We all know that moving is a process which isn’t always kind to your belongings. However, if you take the time to pack your fragile objects properly, you can be confident in them coming out in one piece. This month, we will be giving you step by step advice as to how to pack fragile items.

Items you will need

The first step to successful packing is making sure you have the right materials. You can get quality packing materials from a good moving company, potentially even the one who is helping you relocate. For fragile items, you will want to ensure you have plenty of suitably sized boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap and packing tape to hand.

Newspaper can also be useful to pad out empty space in boxes to prevent movement in transit but should be avoided for wrapping items as it can be dirty; this can transfer to your belongings, which is especially unwanted on food-related items, and creates extra cleaning work. Another point to consider is that new boxes will be a lot more reliable than old boxes. Why risk packing your belongings, especially fragile ones, into boxes which are old, structurally unsound and at risk of breaking? When packing, it is always worth taking your time to do the job properly using quality materials – it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Plates

Plates are a classic fragile item and the breakage of just one can be frustrating and ruin a set. To pack plates you should:

• Wrap plates individually in packing paper using a couple of layers. This should help prevent chips and breakages from the surrounding plates. Sellotape the paper in place.
• Find a suitably sized box, as close to the diameter of the plates as possible, and line it with some packing paper or newspaper.
• Stack your plates vertically within the box, placing a piece of bubble wrap between layers for additional padding.
• Fill in any unused space with packing paper/newspaper to make sure the plates don’t move about in transit.
• Seal the box with packing tape and label it appropriately.

Glasses and mugs

Glasses and mugs are usual suspects for getting broken in a move due to being so delicate. To reduce the chance of a break, when packing glasses and mugs you should:

• Wrap the item in packing paper, ensuring it is well covered and that the paper is tucked into the inside of the glass. Use sellotape to secure.
• Fill the inside of the glass with packing paper for reinforcement.  
• Line a relatively small box with a generous amount of packing paper/newspaper.
• Put your items in the box with the heaviest and sturdiest at the bottom.
• Fill in empty space within the box with additional paper.
• Seal the box with packing tape and label it appropriately.

Picture frames and artwork

Picture frames and artwork can hold high sentimental value but are easily breakable items. To make sure you are protecting them properly you should:

• Cover the item in packing paper and tape this in place. This should protect the item from scrapes and further damage. If it is a particularly fragile piece, you may want to wrap the item in bubble wrap too.
• Fully line a box, which is close in size to the frames, with packing paper/newspaper.
• Stack items vertically in the box, putting bubble wrap in between each item.
• Fill in any gaps and top the frames with more packing paper.
• Seal the box with packing tape and label appropriately.

Oddly shaped items

Items that are unusual shapes or have protruding elements, like handles, are always difficult to deal with when transporting. Items like decorative ornaments, sculptures and small antiques can often come under this categorisation. To pack these items you should:

• Wrap the item profusely in bubble wrap and secure with tape.
• Find a box as close to the object’s size as possible. Line the box/loosely wrap the item with soft padding if possible – this could be old towels, t-shirts or blankets.  
• Fill in any unused space within the box with packing paper/newspaper.
• Seal the box with packing tape and label appropriately.

Darvills & Benns can provide you with many useful, quality packing materials which will help protect your belongings from damage during the moving process. We can also provide an efficient professional removal service to ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible and your belongings get to your new home safely. For a reliable removals service in Bradford, Halifax and across West Yorkshire, get in touch with Darvills & Benns today.