How to Pack Fragile Items, Bulky Pieces, and Valuables

Britannia is on the move! More than 900,000 people moved into or out of the UK between June 2020 and June 2021. Hundreds of thousands of other people moved within UK borders.

These facts may make you think that moving items is easy. In reality, it can be risky, especially if you are moving fragile items made of glass, wax, or ceramics. You need to study how to pack fragile items before you even think about calling a moving company.

What materials do you need to pack items? How can you learn how to pack breakables? What should you do if your items don’t fit inside boxes?

Answer these questions and you can create a smooth packing process in no time. Here is your quick guide.

Get the Right Packing Materials

You can get a few types of boxes for moving. Traditional cardboard boxes work fine, but you can also purchase plastic crates, which can insulate your items from bumps in the road. Do not use plastic bags to transport fragile items, as the items can break and puncture the bags.

You should purchase bubble wrap, foam peanuts, packing tape, and scissors. You should get labels, though you can write what the box contains on the outside.

Packing materials can be expensive, so try to find free boxes and tape however you can. Call your local supermarket and see if they have any boxes you can use. Some moving companies offer packing materials for free, so ask your company if they can provide this too.

Use Padding in Your Boxes

You should start packing for your move at least one month in advance. Before you place your valuables into your boxes, you should line the bottom of the boxes with bubble wrap. If the box is very narrow, you can place packing paper on the bottom.

When you are packing dishware or small items together, you should try stacking or layering the items. In between each layer, you should place a piece of linen, towel, or bubble wrap.

At the very top, you should add a final layer of packing material. The top of your box should remain flat, and you should be able to close it with tape easily. If the top layer of packing material interferes with that, you do not have to add it.

Before you wrap the box up, you should make sure the items are snug. You can roll up pieces of newspaper and tuck them into the corners as an extra measure.

Fill Empty Spaces

Even if you place bowls and jars inside padded boxes, they can develop cracks due to their hollow spaces. You should always place crumpled newspaper, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts inside the bowls and jars.

You can nest a few glasses, dishes, or wrapped items together. Be careful that they don’t become stuck inside each other.

Wrap Items Tightly

If you have the time, you should consider wrapping every single breakable item. This is the best way to protect your items during the moving process.

For small items like dishes, you can use wrapping paper. For larger items like bowls or jars, you can use thin bubble wrap. You can use a combination of packing tape, paper, and wrap if you’re having difficulty packaging your items tightly.

Try to keep like items together in your boxes. Place your heavier and bulkier items on the bottom of your box, then place progressively lighter items in layers.

Be Careful with Antiques and Valuables

It is very easy for artwork, antiques, and older items to become damaged during the moving process. Even if they don’t break, they may get scratched or scraped as they are moved.

Place masking tape across a picture frame so the glass doesn’t move around. Attach foam corners to the frame and add a piece of foam to the back of the frame so it stays in place.

In addition to wrapping each item in wrapping paper, you need to be careful while handling your items. Use both hands to carry your item and ask for help if it is very big or heavy. You can use hand carts if you struggle to carry heavy things.

Moving vans and cars can be very hot, and the heat may be high enough to damage paint, wax, and fragile materials. Humidity can also damage works of art. Run the air conditioning and find a dry vehicle to transport your items in.

Be Strategic with Awkward Items

Do not place bulky or awkwardly shaped items inside small boxes. You should store aquariums, desks, and pianos separately.

Talk to your moving company about what you can do to transport these items. You may need to take a separate vehicle if you have a lot of things to move.

You may not need to move your appliances. Talk to the previous owner of your new house and see if you can keep their refrigerator, microwave, and other devices. If you’re moving between offices, call the owner of your new office building to see if office equipment is already there.

Figure Out How to Pack Fragile Items

Learning how to pack fragile items can be a little tricky. Buy plenty of boxes and other materials like bubble wrap well in advance of your move. Pad your boxes and keep your items tight so they cannot move around in your moving vehicles.

Artworks and antiques require tools like foam corners and masking tape. You should handle them using hand carts. If an item cannot fit in a container, transport it in a different vehicle.

If you’re struggling with packing, turn to the professionals. Britannia Fleet has 50 years of moving experience. Get a quote today.