A Guide to Moving Fragile Yet Expensive Items
Moving is quite a stressful affair overall even without considering the potential damage to our belongings during the process. If we are not careful when packing and moving fragile items, we might end up damaging or outright destroying them. Imagine having to say goodbye to your favorite set of wine glasses or dessert plates that have sentimental value. Not to mention the fact that breaking a mirror will result in seven years of bad luck! Needless to say, we need to pay special attention when it comes to moving items that are easily breakable.
In this article, we will take a look at the most common fragile items we might end up having to protect while moving to a new home. We will also outline some helpful tips that can ensure our delicate items reach the final destination intact.
Glassware
We can’t imagine someone being shocked that glassware is easily the most fragile thing on our list. On top of that, exotic glasses and designer sets tend to be quite expensive. For this very reason, it is important to go the extra mile to make them safe during moving. Our recommendation is to find a thick box of the appropriate size and stock up on packing paper.
We wrap each piece of glassware in multiple sheets of paper while making sure the ends of the packing are tucked in the glass itself. Depending on the thickness of the glass itself, we might end up wrapping it no less than 5 times for maximum safety. Next, we place crumpled paper on the bottom of the box to act as a cushion and put all glasses vertically in it. We should insert more crumpled paper between individual pieces to ensure no two glasses are in danger of colliding. If we plan on having multiple layers of glassware in the box, we need to place additional sheets of paper between them.
Plates
Other items that can break quite easily if not transported properly are plates. To secure them, we should apply the same method we used for glassware. All we need is a thick box and a good amount of packing paper. Once again, we need to wrap each individual plate several times, making sure it is properly cushioned. We also have to place several sheets of packing paper on the bottom of the box.
When putting the plates in the box, we must make sure they are once again placed vertically. If additional layers are needed, we have to separate them by using several sheets of paper. Once the box is full and ready, we need to give it a little shake. If we hear the sound of plates rattling within, then we need to place crumpled paper within to keep them in place.
Mirrors
One of the biggest mistakes people make when transporting mirrors is putting them in boxes facing down with no cushioning. If we do that, we can be almost certain that the result will be catastrophic. As with most delicate items, we need to make sure the mirror is placed in the right box and in the most secure way.
When it comes to mirrors, we recommend using a custom wood crate for optimal protection. The box should be padded with high-grade packing paper. As for the mirror itself, our advice is to cover it completely in bubble wrap. This way, it will definitely survive even a harsher trip.”
Lamps & Lampshades
In addition to being quite easy to damage or break, lamps and lampshades are also a challenge to pack due to their often awkward form. In order to ensure their safety, first we need to find boxes big enough for the lamp and lampshade. That’s right, we will be packing them separately. Next, we should get some bubble wrap and cover every inch of both the lamp and the shade. We should then use the paper to tightly pack the items. As for lampshades, we would also be wise to put some crumpled packing paper within them for added protection.
Once we put the items in their corresponding boxes, we must fill each empty space with paper. This way, the lamp or shade will not move around during transportation.
Liquor Bottles
Expensive liquor in fancy bottles is something many of us cannot afford to lose. In addition to the product itself, a broken or leaking bottle can damage other items as well. For this reason, we need to be extra careful when packing and moving bottles. The best way to approach this task is to use a divided box specially made for bottles. We can get that at pretty much any liquor store out there.
The key here is to secure the bottom of the box. To achieve that, we need some heavy-duty tape. We can use it to double, or even triple-tape the bottom of the box. For the bottles themselves, we need to wrap them tightly in multiple layers of packing paper and tape any loose ends.
As we put the bottles in the box, we must make sure any space between them and the dividers is stuffed with packing paper. Needless to say, before we pack, we need to check if all bottle caps are tightened. It might even be a good idea to tape the caps in place.
Conclusion
Packing and moving delicate items is not as easy as it might seem to some. If we want to preserve our treasured belongings, we need to take the time to properly package them. In this article, we presented simple ways to prepare the most common fragile items. By following the steps outlined above, we can be certain that the items will survive during loading, unloading, and the road itself.
As for the transportation, we should look into a reputable moving company to help out. Most good moving companies actually offer packing services! They would have the necessary equipment and know-how to move our fragile items in the safest way possible.
Author bio
Nancy Zafrani is the general manager of Oz Moving & Storage in NYC. A day-one employee of Oz, she has 25 years of experience in the moving industry. As a New Yorker, Nancy also has lots of experience dealing with small apartments and organizing.
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