It’s one of the potential nightmares of moving – you open a box and find the contents, such as your best china, in pieces. A lot of people think that the best way to pack fragile items is to use a few yards of bubble wrap – but professional movers know better. Sometimes, items you didn’t think of as being fragile or delicate can be after a long-distance move. In order to protect your belongings during a local or long-distance move, heed our advice for packing your fragile and delicate items.
1. Glass items
Box inserts are a good way to pack glasses, cups, and mugs, but an alternative is to wrap each item carefully in newspaper or tissue paper. Double layer it for wine glasses, champagne flutes and other exceptionally fragile items. Line the box with a couple of layers of paper or bubble wrap.
2. Your fine China
Like many others, you probably cherish your fine China enough to want to keep it safe during a move. Any China dishes or items you have should be individually wrapped. Plates can be stacked, but professionals recommend stacking no more than five together. Pack like with like – plates with plates, etc. Avoid using packing tape to secure wrapping, it can go all the way through tissue paper and stick to the china, causing damage to the glaze.
3. Silverware
Although silverware is fragile, there is one important thing – never wrap it in a newspaper, as the print will tend to rub off on it and may cause tarnishing. If you have a silverware chest, fill any empty spaces in it with tissue paper or paper towels and then wrap it in a blanket.
4. Photos and artwork
Framed pictures should be treated in much the same way as plates to protect the glass. Unglazed canvases should be placed between boards or cardboard and leaned against flat surfaces. If possible, especially for large pictures, pack in special cartons. If this is not, then pack your pictures together with a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap between each one. Unframed photos, especially vintage ones, should be kept in archival boxes or a Solander box.
5. Lampshades
Lampshades are extremely delicate. They should be separated from their lamp and packed upright or upside down (never on their side). Make sure there is space between the edge of the lampshade and the carton. Label the box “Top-load only” so movers know not to put anything on top of it. It may be best to find a container or box other than cardboard-type material that can protect lampshades.
6. Oddly-shaped items
Large, oddly shaped items should go in their own box and can be wrapped in paper or blankets. Vases and the like benefit from having packaging material put inside them (in some cases you can creatively save space by packing a few items of clothing inside a large vase). Oddly-shaped knick-knacks should be wrapped in taped paper, which can be used to “even out” the shape and make them easier to pack but consider putting them in their own box, or in a small box inside a larger one for extra safety.
7. Electronics
Computer monitors and televisions, in particular, are fragile, but hard drives and motherboards can also be damaged by moving a desktop computer incorrectly. Computers are also extremely expensive. Just in case, backup your data to a cloud location before moving. Pack CPUs in their own box wrapped in bubble wrap or towels so that it absolutely does not move. (If you have the original box that is obviously ideal). Televisions and monitors should be removed from any mounts, cleaned thoroughly, and packed in a suitable box – ideally the original box, or one designed specifically for flat-panel TVs. Cover it with a dust cover or similar and then put in the box and fill the limited remaining space with packing peanuts or similar. Label the box, especially if you are not using the original, so the movers know to keep it upright.
For all fragile items, label the box appropriately and clearly. Make sure to write fragile in multiple places and on all sides of the box so it is visible regardless of angle. Movers will be particularly careful with your fragile items, but they need to know which items are fragile. If you’re not confident about packing your fragile and delicate items for a move, Capital Movers can take care of both the packing and labor for you.
If you are looking for professional movers in Texas who will give your china and other fragile items the best care, contact Capital Movers Texas today.