Packing fragile items can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of moving. It’s natural to be concerned about these items breaking or getting damaged during transport. Boxes go through a lot of handling during a move, so it’s important to take extra care of your fragile items to make sure they are safe and secure.
Protecting your fragile items all starts with how you pack them. Extra care should be taken when it comes to the tools and techniques you use. It is possible to move the most fragile of items without any damage as long as you put extra effort and attention into packing them correctly.
Fragile Items Packing Tips
1. Use Smaller Boxes for Heavy Fragile Items
Small boxes are easier to handle and less likely to allow items to shift around inside of them when moving. Be sure to fill in any extra space with lots of padding.
2. Never Use Flimsy Boxes
The thicker and sturdier the box, the better. If a box has any give whatsoever before you put anything inside it, don’t use it. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
3. Secure the Bottom of the Box with Extra Strips of Tape
Extra strips of tape will help support the box better and keep it from bowing under the weight of its contents.
4. Layer the Bottom of the Box with a Soft Packing Material
You can use packing paper, bubble wrap, foam, styrofoam peanuts, or even towels to cushion the bottom of the box. Then, once everything is packed, fill in the remaining empty spaces.
5. Pack the Heaviest Items on the Bottom
Layer all of the items from largest to smallest so the base of the box is well-supported and smaller items won’t get crushed.
6. Use Dividers for Glasses and Stemware
You can purchase cardboard dividers for boxes or even special boxes for stemware that already come with dividers to keep each item from shifting and colliding with other pieces.
Learn why using the right packing materials matters »
7. Fill Hollow Items with Packing Paper
Glasses, jars, and any other items with hollow spaces should be filled with packing paper to help soften vibrations.
8. Wrap Each Individual Item and Piece
Everything from glasses and plates to fragile decorative items should be individually wrapped based on the size, shape, and material. Remove any loose pieces, like lids, and wrap those separately. The most delicate items, such as china, should be wrapped in bubble wrap and secured with tape. Also, separate these items into smaller boxes on their own rather than stacking them with too many other items.
View our guide to packing china, heirlooms, and glassware »
9. Use Plenty of Packing Tape
Secure fragile items in packing paper or bubble wrap with a generous amount of packing tape to keep the wrapping intact and the items from shifting underneath it during travel. The tape will give the items much more support.
10. Clearly Label Fragile Items
Each box that contains fragile items should be very clearly labeled as such. Place these boxes in a separate area and instruct movers that they should be handled with care, so they will know to be extra careful with those boxes and pack them in the truck accordingly.
11. Take Your Time
When packing up your home, it’s easy to want to rush to get it all done. However, when packing fragile items, it is especially important to take your time and be aware of what you’re doing. Slowing down will keep you from cutting corners or making mistakes that will cost you on moving day.
12. Hire a White Glove Moving Company
If these tips for packing your fragile items sound too overwhelming, just give Megan’s Moving a call. As a white glove moving company, we can ensure that your most fragile belongings are protected during your move. Our full-service moving experience includes packing, moving, and unpacking your entire home so that you don’t have to lift a finger.
Schedule a consultation with one of our moving experts today »