How to Pack Awkward and Fragile Items
For most people, the thought of packing up your home in preparation for moving day is enough to cause feelings of dread. The stress of moving can be exacerbated when you add awkward or fragile objects into the mix; these hard-to-pack items can frazzle even the most experienced of movers!
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our top packing tips to help ensure that all of your fragile items arrive safely at your new address.
Use an appropriate box
You should only ever be using boxes that are strong enough to safely hold your items. If you’re packing and notice any flimsiness, this box should be considered too weak to use. It’s better to be safe than sorry and the last thing you want is to damage your items if the box gives way. For heavier or fragile items, be sure to use a smaller box; they are much easier to manoeuvre and won’t allow too much movement inside.
When packing irregularly shaped items, ensure the box is large enough to fully encase the object. If this isn’t possible, you may be able to build your own custom box by modifying and taping together a few existing boxes.
Use protective packaging
When packing, you should always layer the bottom of the box with a protective material – ideally bubble wrap or polystyrene. This provides an extra layer of defence and cushions fragile items against any inadvertent knocks or bumps. If you have an oddly shaped item, it’s important to wrap any points with bubble wrap, to protect any protruding areas that could get caught during transportation.
Label all fragile items
Any reputable company will treat all of your belongings with respect and care, but it never hurts to label boxes that contain fragile items. Handling instructions emphasise the importance of remaining careful at all times, as well as helping you to remember what is inside each box.
Pack and secure your boxes correctly
The logistics of packing boxes effectively is quite simple and just requires a bit of common sense. When packing your shopping, you would never put a bottle of wine on top of a soft loaf of bread. This same principle applies when packing your belongings during a move; you should place all heavy and bulky items towards the bottom of the box, so there is no risk of them squashing any delicate items.
The rule of ‘less is more’ doesn’t apply when it comes to packing tape; it’s best to use a liberal amount to guarantee the security of your box and properly support the base.
Individually pack glass items
All fragile items and glassware must be individually packed. Although this can be time consuming, it will prevent them from smashing against each other during the journey. It’s also a good idea to fill any hollow glass items (wine glasses for example) with packing paper, to help minimise vibrations.
Take your time
Errors happen when you’re scrambling; simply take your time and move at your own pace. It might be beneficial to begin planning a few days in advance, to take the stress out of the big day.
Hire an experienced removals company
If you have any majorly difficult items that have left you completely stumped, ask for the advice of your removals company! They’ve seen it all and should have some great advice to help you on your way. Choose a reputable, well-reviewed company whose workmanship you can rely on.
Simon Long Removals operate throughout the East Anglia region – including Thetford, Cambridge and Norwich. Our experienced removal experts offer a fragile packing service designed to help you deal with any hard-to-pack items that might be proving awkward. We are fully BAR-accredited and insured and have been trusted by many loyal customers to handle all of their moves. To get advice on your move, contact our friendly team today!
