How to pack breakables so they won’t break
Carefully wrapping fragile items is crucial and can prevent them from getting broken. Fragile items, such as fragile dishes, should be meticulously packed so in the event they are handled roughly during your move, they will not break. Since they take a little extra time to pack correctly, be sure to give yourself some extra time to pack. In other words, don’t leave everything to be packed on moving day.
Get a head start on your move
As soon as you know that you will be moving, begin packing up items you won’t need to use for a while. Then, you will only need to pack up a few last-minute things and won’t have to hurry and pack. This will make for a less stressful move as well.
Cushion your most prized possessions
Packing up a fragile box takes a little more time and attention, but it isn’t difficult. For heavy yet fragile belongings, you want to pack them into smaller boxes. This makes them easier to handle, and it’s less likely that they will get dropped. Be sure to choose a box that is just slightly larger than the item you will be packing inside of it and fill in any gaps.
Use crumpled paper, Styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, or any other padded material to prevent shifting when moving fragile items. When wrapping for fragile objects during the move, you should also line the bottom of the box with extra padding material. Get creative with your packing materials. You can use clothing, pillows, coats, or blankets as extra wrapping for fragile objects. As an added bonus, you won’t have to purchase them, and you are packing items that need to be packed anyway.
Choose the right box for the job
The best way to pack breakables is to start with the right box. Avoid using a flimsy box for delicate items and instead use a sturdy, heavy-duty box. To determine whether a box is sturdy, it should hold its shape and shouldn’t have any give.
Pack balanced boxes
Use plenty of tape on any seams to reinforce any boxes you use to pack fragile objects. If you are packing multiple fragile possessions together, always place the heaviest item at the bottom, with plenty of cushioning between each item. It is important to disperse the weight of the box as evenly as you can to avoid packing a box that is awkward and lopsided. If a box is extremely uneven because all the weight is on one side, it is hard to keep it balanced and is much more likely to get dropped and damaged. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it really does make a difference how the weight in a box is distributed and should be petty even.
Separate and wrap
Use cardboard dividers for packing in-between fragile things such as stemware and glasses. They are also a great packing tool to use for packing glass collectibles and other small items. If you are packing multiple fragile items such as plates or cups, you want to separate each item from the next by wrapping everything. Bubble wrap is a great way to separate fragile knick-knacks. Be sure to wrap any lids or loose pieces and fill in any gaps so everything stays securely in place.
Label your fragile boxes
Once you have all of your fragile belongings packed securely into boxes and taped shut, you want to label them appropriately. Use large, clear, and bright lettering to label each box for fragile items with caution words like “fragile” or “handle with care.” Be sure to label the top and all sides of the box. This way, you and anyone helping with the move will know to use extra care when transporting these boxes.
If possible, you may also want to put these boxes into your personal vehicle rather than in the moving van with your entire lot of household items. That way, there is less chance of them getting damaged by other boxes or furniture that could shift or fall over during the move.