Nothing ruins a successful moving day quite like opening a box to find your grandmother's antique china shattered into pieces. Packing fragile items requires more than just tossing them into a box with some old newspapers. It requires strategy, the right materials, and a bit of patience.
1. Gather the Right Supplies
Before you touch a single glass, ensure you have the proper arsenal. The AI Box Estimator likely recommended a high amount of bubble wrap and packing paper for a reason. You will need:
- Dish-pack boxes: These are double-corrugated and specifically designed to absorb shock.
- High-quality packing paper: Newspaper ink can bleed onto your items; always use clean packing paper.
- Bubble wrap: For the most delicate items.
- Quality packing tape: Do not cheap out on tape.
2. The "Bed of Cushion" Technique
Never place a fragile item directly on the bottom of a box. Always create a 2 to 3-inch "bed" of crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap at the bottom of the box before you begin loading. This acts as a shock absorber when the box is placed in the moving truck.
3. Wrapping Plates and Glasses
Plates: Always pack plates vertically, like records in a crate. Wrap each plate individually in packing paper, then bundle three or four together and wrap the bundle again. Packing them flat makes them far more likely to shatter from pressure.
Glasses: Fill the empty space inside the glass with crumpled paper. Then, roll the glass in a sheet of paper, tucking the ends in as you roll. Pack glasses upright, never on their sides.
Too much hassle?
Our white-glove professionals specialize in packing delicate art, antiques, and china. Let us handle the bubble wrap.
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