Knowing how best to pack fragile items can be really tough, and unsuccessful. Here we have some great tips to help you pack fragile items effectively so nothing gets smashed.
Moving can be so stressful. With all of the items you have probably had in the same place for a long time being suddenly all over the place – some in your new home, some in your current home, some in your self storage unit. You can compare storage unit prices here. With the pets being looked after, kids arguing over which bedroom they get, removals men whizzing around, estate agents calling you about different paperwork…
Like we said – it can be so stressful, right?
So it makes sense that during a house move, you really do not want to hear the sound of something smashing.
You have spent all this time and energy arranging the move and packing everything up, it really doesn’t seem fair to have your fragile items quit on you now.
Well, the great news is, this isn’t something you have to worry about happening if you just spend a little time and effort preparing right. You might feel like you don’t need anything else on your list right now to add to the many things you need to get done, but, we promise, this will make sense when it all kicks off and the move is in full swing.
Not Just Strong Boxes – SUPER Strong Boxes
You may have read before people talking about getting a strong box for packing fragile items into. Let’s be clear here – that is a little vague isn’t it? A strong box to one person could be a cardboard box, to another, it could mean a wooden box or a reinforced cardboard crate. The point is, if you get a box that is too weak, items might move around in them, or fall out of them. They may get crushed by items stacked on top of them, they might become flimsy if it rains -you get the point. One of the best things you can do for your fragile items is pack them in a super strong box. This doesn’t mean a thick box that say, single bags of crisps come in. It means at least a box bananas come in (ask at the supermarket, they are free!) and at best a sturdy wooden crate. Plastic would also be a good choice. You’re looking for a box that holds its structure, is weather proof (only for a short time, your boxes aren’t going to be outside for long), and ideally has a lid. You could even make it stronger and line the corners and edges with packing tape, and tape around the whole box to seal it.
Look in pound shops or discount shops, DIY stores, charity shops and car boot sales for boxes you could get cheaply. Alternatively, ask at your removals company or at your self storage facility as they may offer a packing service.
Padding, Lots Of Padding
Many people don’t realise how important padding is when it comes to packing fragile items. Your items might be in the super strong box we prescribed above, but if you have only wrapped them in a fine layer of newspaper, they are going to move around and they are possibly going to chip, smash or scratch. You must ensure they are not going to move around, which means providing loads of cushioning around them. So as well as the individual wrapping you might do, you need a filler material to pad out the gaps. You could use foam pieces but the cheapest options is probably newspaper. You may want to consider something softer or more expensive if the items are particularly valuable. Consider asking at your local self storage facility for suggestions, they might even offer a packing service.
Labels – All Of The Labels
Just like there is no point in packing items into a strong box without padding, there is no point in doing anything if you don’t label the box probably. There are going to be about six million boxes flying around that are going to be picked up and moved by you, your family, the moving company – so many people. With the best will in the world, and the best intentioned team in the world, accidents will happen if people don’t know the difference between a box with expensive glass in, and a box with kitchen cutlery in. The only way around this is labels. Not just a tiny, whisper of a label politely stating ‘fragile’. No, you need a loudly shouting, screaming, behemoth of a label that lets everyone 3 miles away know that this box is fragile. Go for at least A4 sized paper and put it on ALL sides of the box. Don’t leave it to chance for someone to pick it up from the side that doesn’t have the fragile sign on it. Use black or red writing and make it big. You can use smaller labels to indicate where the box goes. You could also just use packing tape and A4 paper if you want to – you don’t have to buy expensive labels. The point is you need the labels – all of the labels, if you want people to know which of your boxes is fragile.
Destination
There is no point in packing delicates well without labelling them properly, padding them out and packaging them in a sturdy box. There is also no point in doing all that, if you’re then going to put your items into below-par storage. Obviously they might be going to your new home which is great. But if you are thinking about putting fragile items into cheap self storage, take care to pick the right one. We recommend choosing a self storage facility with:
- Climate control
- Excellent security
- Insurance
- 24 hour access
- Excellent hygiene and cleanliness
- Friendly staff
Remember…
With a little research and (lots of) patience, you can get through the moving process unscathed, we promise. Before you know it, you’re going to be enjoying your gorgeous new home! Happy packing!