How To Pack Fragile & Breakable Items When Moving

Fragile and breakable items cause the most stress during a move, and for good reason: they tend to hold the most sentimental value or carry the highest price tag. All it takes is one poorly packed box to turn a treasured piece into a moving-day casualty. Below, we’ve compiled our best tips for packing your delicate items safely, so they arrive at your new home in one piece.

There have been countless stories of people breaking fragile items due to poor packing, being unaware, or making careless mistakes. Fragile items cause the most heartbreak because they tend to hold sentimental value or can be rather expensive.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list for you to learn how to avoid these mistakes and pack your fragile items well.

Plan Ahead

It’s no surprise that planning can avoid lots of unwanted accidents. Planning isn’t only for your move, but it’s also beneficial for your packing. Think about what fragile items you own and how you plan to sort and pack them. Planning can save you the trouble of rushing into packing your fragile items and neglecting their safety. Give yourself extra time to consider your move-in dates, and handle anything with sentimental or monetary value with extra care, since these are the pieces you can least afford to lose.

Packing Boxes

Choosing the right packing box could make or break your packing system. Choosing sturdy boxes or “Dish packs” (extra-thick boxes with built-in cardboard dividers, made specifically for stacking plates, bowls, and glasses) can maximize the safety of your fragile items and offer a great option to sort and organize your belongings. Consider using small to medium sizes boxes to pack your precious items. Smaller boxes are easier to lift and carry, which means less risk of dropping or jostling your fragile items around. As a side note, it’s important to label your boxes accordingly, not forget what you have, and properly take care of each item.

Where To Find Free Or Affordable Boxes

Before you can pack a single dish, you need somewhere to put it, and quality boxes don’t have to cost you anything. Liquor stores, bookstores, and grocery stores often have sturdy boxes they’re happy to give away instead of tossing them in the recycling bin. If you’d rather skip the hunting, U-Haul’s Take A Box, Leave A Box program and local moving container companies offer used boxes for little to no cost.

That said, free boxes aren’t right for every item. For anything truly fragile, dishes, glassware, mirrors, artwork, it’s worth investing in new, purpose-built boxes like dish packs or cell boxes. Their thicker walls and built-in dividers offer far more protection than a repurposed liquor box, so save the free boxes for books and clothes and put your budget toward the right boxes for what matters most.

Having The Right Tools

Packaging the right tools is essential to keeping your fragile items neat and secure. Tools you should use include:

• Bubble Wrap
• Packing Paper
• Scissors
• Moving Tape

Each one of your tools will serve as a crucial part of packing. Use bubble wrap to wrap glasses or smaller fragile items individually. Use packing paper to fill gaps inside your boxes and use them as separators for frames and mirrors. Scissors are a handy tool to cut any unnecessary edges or packing paper. And, of course, the moving tape will help you solidify and close your boxes and can even be used as protective padding.

You can pick and choose what you feel most comfortable with. Just be sure to choose an open area with lots of room to work while packing your fragile items.

 How To Pack Dishes/Glassware

Pack In Tiers

Ensuring your box is fully protected can ensure maximum safety for your delicate belongings. When packing in tiers, it’s important to layer your box, using packing paper or bubble wrap, at the bottom and sides. Using newspapers or towels can be another alternative, but they can provide unwanted results as newspapers tend to dirty your items, and towels slip easily, causing unwanted accidents. Once you’ve layered your box, rest your fragile items and add a second tier of packing paper or bubble wrap for protection. Make sure to fill any gaps in the box with moving paper, as it also helps add extra cushioning.

Use Cardboard for Separation

When packing fragile items, it’s important to use proper materials to ensure their safety during transit. This includes using cardboard for separation, as mentioned in the previous section. Cardboard dividers or special boxes can be used to separate glassware, reducing the risk of them accidentally bumping into each other and breaking. Sturdy and strong boxes should also be used to hold fragile items, while paper-lined boxes can add an extra layer of protection. Individually wrap each item with bubble wrap or newsprint is also recommended. It’s important to provide extra padding in thin areas and avoid overpacking boxes to prevent them from bursting. Glass kits can also provide additional protection for delicate items.

Avoid Overpacking Boxes

Overpacking a box puts extra stress on the seams and makes it more likely to break open or collapse in transit. Be mindful of the weight and size of each item before you begin packing, and avoid cramming in more than a box can comfortably hold. Remember to insert leftover packing paper into any remaining spaces inside the boxes to prevent fragile items from shifting and potentially breaking.

Getting ready to move can prove challenging, but planning and using the right tools and techniques can make the process faster and smoother. Once you’re ready to move, request a FREE QUOTE from Agility Van Lines today at 800-756-4340 to calculate expenses and travel time to your new location and make your move effortless.