Whether you’re moving across town or relocating internationally, it’s important to pack your valuable, fragile belongings properly. If you plan to ship items to your new abode, safe packing is especially important since you’ll have little control over how boxes are handled.
At Ed’s Moving & Storage, we know how devastating it can be to find broken valuables after a move, and that’s why we’re here to help you out. Below, we explain how to safely pack some of the most common fragile household items, so you can better protect your possessions during your move.
Gather the Appropriate Materials
First things first: Gather the materials you’ll need to properly protect your fragile items. Though you can use household items (such as blankets and towels) as protective packing material, it’s usually best to opt for designated packing materials. Because they’re designed to provide impact protection and prevent your items from jostling around during transport, these materials provide a better safeguard against damage. Here’s what you’ll need to collect:
● Scissors
● Packing tape or other sturdy types of tape
● Permanent markers
● Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, newspaper, or packing paper
● Appropriately sized, sturdy boxes
● Pliable cardboard
Keep in mind that though many people opt to gather used boxes to pack their belongings, those boxes may not have the structural integrity to adequately protect your things. While you can certainly pack less fragile items in those types of boxes, you should always use new, sturdy boxes when packing fragile valuables.
Packing Electronics: 7 Useful Tips
Most relocators have plenty of valuable electronics that must be protected from heat, moisture, and jostling during transport. Here are several valuable tips for packing those items:
● Remove the batteries from your electronics before packing them. If the batteries overheat, they can leak potassium hydroxide, a caustic substance that can eat through your electronics.
● Eject DVDs, CDs, and other media from your electronics before packing to protect it from scratches.
● Remove toner and printer cartridges from any printers you plan to pack.
● Remove all cables and other items from electronics before you pack them. You should also check to make sure all screws are intact and properly tightened.
● Wrap large electronics in bubble wrap and secure it with strong tape. If the device has a screen, protect it with another layer of bubble wrap or a soft cloth.
● Avoid using newspaper to protect screens as it can cause scratches.
● Cushion the top and bottom of boxes packed with electronics. Insert bubble wrap around the outside and in between items to prevent jostling and damage.
Because electronics are sensitive to heat, if you have a lengthy move ahead of you, try to pack your most valuable electronics your personal vehicle so you can control the ambient temperature. The back of a moving truck can get hot in a hurry, and if you load your valuables in there, chances are you won’t be able to access them throughout the drive to your new home.
Not sure you feel comfortable packing expensive electronics? You can always opt for full packing services from your moving company! At Ed’s Moving & Storage, we train our team extensively in proper packing techniques, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your belongings are well protected.
How to Pack Plates
To pack plates safely for transport, start by reinforcing the bottom each medium-sized box with packing tape. Don’t be shy about using too much! More is better (just in case) when it comes to transporting fragile items. After applying the tape, test the strength of the bottom of the box by pushing on it with your hand. When the box is good and sturdy, move on with the following steps:
● Wad up several sheets of packing paper or newspaper (you can use bubble wrap too), which you’ll use to line the top and bottom of the boxes.
● After lining the bottom of the box, wrap each plate in its own sheet of packing paper. Fold the corners of each sheet of paper until the plate is completely covered.
● Grab another plate, wrap it up, and stack it on top of the plate you just wrapped. You can also insert pliable cardboard between the plates for additional protection.
● Insert both plates vertically into the box. Never pack plates flat as they’re more likely to break if the box jostles or encounters impact.
● Continue wrapping and inserting plates into the box until it’s tightly packed. If there’s any remaining room, insert more wadded-up paper or bubble wrap to prevent jostling.
● Cushion the top of the box with more crumpled packing paper, fold the flaps down over the top, and seal the box with more packing tape.
How to Pack Glassware
Because glassware is oddly shaped, it’s a bit trickier to pack than plates or electronics. However, with a bit of patience and a bunch of packing supplies, you can transport your fragile glass items safely to your new home. Here’s how to pack glassware properly:
● Measure and cut pliable cardboard. Place a piece of glassware on a sheet of pliable, strong cardboard. Double the size of the object and leave about 2-3 inches around the perimeter so you can roll up the object inside the cardboard. Mark the appropriate size with a marker and cut the cardboard to size. If you’re using pre-cut pieces of cardboard, you can skip this step and use two pre-cut pieces instead.
● Apply bubble wrap. Unroll a piece of bubble wrap, cut it to size, and place it bubble side down against the glass object. Wrap the object up and secure the bubble wrap with a piece of tape.
● Wrap in cardboard. With the bubble wrap in place, place the glass object at one end of your pre-cut piece of cardboard. Roll the object tightly inside the cardboard and secure the whole thing with packing tape. Make sure you tape the ends to prevent the object from slipping out!
● Snugly pack medium-sized boxes with wrapped glassware. If there’s any space between the objects or around the sides, you can fill it with wadded-up packing paper or more bubble wrap.
● Secure the boxes. Close up the boxes with packing tape, label them “FRAGILE,” and inform your professional movers to exercise extra caution with those boxes.
If you’re wary about packing expensive dishes or valuable china, professional movers and packers can help make the process easier. Get in touch with our team at Ed’s Moving & Storage to discuss your packing options today!
Need Professional Movers & Packers in Seattle? Contact Ed’s Moving & Storage
When you need a moving company you can count on, our team at Ed’s Moving & Storage is here to serve you. Since 1958, we’ve been facilitating relocations throughout Seattle, Tacoma, and the surrounding areas, and we specialize in an extensive variety of moving services designed to streamline your relocation. From full packing services and appliance moving to custom crating and storage solutions, when you need a team that knows how to do it all, make us your first call!
To get a fast moving quote or learn more about our services, give our team a call today at 253-581-2446 or send us a message online, and we’ll be in touch promptly.