Packing Fragile Items For a Move

by Marsha Charles 11/17/2019

Moving from one home to another home is a task that is draining, time-consuming and hectic. When deciding to relocate, there are a lot of factors to consider before the actual move. Having to pack up your things in preparation for the move can take weeks and sometimes months. 

After going through the pain of packing and then moving, you would be sad to realize some of your precious heirlooms or antiques got broken during the moving process. There are specific ways to pack to avoid damages to fragile items, and these tips will ensure that your valuables are intact upon arrival at your new home. 

To ensure your valuable items are safe and secure during and after packing, consider using these packing methods. 

Use Various Box Sizes

Having boxes of similar size won't do the job. Some items are safer in smaller boxes to avoid movement and jiggling. Purchase box sizes ranging from shoe size-small to big sizes (depending on the size of your largest piece). When filling in the boxes, heavier items should be placed in shallower boxes while lighter items placed on top bigger boxes.

Don’t Over-stuff

When packing, try not to over-stuff a box hoping additional tape will keep it secure. When packing fragile items, the trick is to have a pack that's firm and snugly packed to avoid jiggling. When you over-stuff a box, the pressure within the box is enough to break some valuables during movement. Be generous with packs especially for items you tag fragile. 

Stuff Soft Items Beneath Boxes

When packing fragile items, make sure you tape the bottom of the box to ensure things do not fall out from beneath. You should also use soft materials like towels or packing paper to layer the bottom of the box. Doing this provides padding for your valuables and helps reduce the force of impact during movement. 

Stuff Hollowed Items With Crumpled Paper

Things you consider fragile should be wrapped separately and secured with tape. Delicate items like wine glasses are more secured wrapped with extra papers and snugly packed to avoid jiggling. Stuff items like goblets and vases with crumpled packing paper to eliminate space before wrapping them individually and placing in a box layered with towels or bubble wrap.

Mark Your Boxes

Ensuring everyone involved in the moving process knows which box contains fragile item is to mark each box boldly with the word ‘FRAGILE.’ Mark everywhere around the pack (on the top, bottom, and sides). Also, remember to label boxes based on the contents within. 

These few tips above would guarantee the safe movement of fragile items from your old home to your new. It would save you the cost of having to replace damaged or broken glassware and the heartache of losing a precious heirloom.

About the Author
Author

Marsha Charles

Consistent top listing and selling agent receiving Chairman's Club award for superior sales achievement almost every year while associated with Preferred Properties, Inc. Consistently receive the International Presidents Premier award for sales volume since joining Coldwell Banker Realty and ranked in the top 1% of agents in Connecticut and Westchester County. In 2021 I received the International Society of Excellence award for sales volume in excess of $100,000,000. I have been named a Top Five Sales Agent for customer satisfaction since 2010 (longer than any other agent in Connecticut) and listed in Connecticut Magazine. Named one of the Top Agents in Connecticut by Real Trends since 2018. 

I work with sellers and buyers and also have a strong understanding to needs of those who are relocating . Background and experience in advertising, public relations and photography offer creative and innovative marketing plans for sellers.  

Realtor designations include: Graduate Real Estate Institute, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Residential Marketing Specialist, and Pricing Strategy Advisor. Served as President of New Canaan Board of Realtors (two terms), Director (three terms) and currently serve on Professional Standards Committee. Named Realtor of the year by the New Canaan Board of Realtors in 1994and again in 2022. 

Married and mother of other of four children who attended and graduated from the New Canaan School System, Member of New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich and Statewide MLS systems. Areas covered include New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, Rowayton, Norwalk, Wilton and all of lower Fairfield County.