Taking the time to properly package and label your fragile items is important to ensure they arrive at your new home in one piece! We all know that moving can be stressful, but you’ll thank yourself for taking the extra time to properly pack everything.
Before getting started, go through your home and set aside all of your valuable crystal, china, mirrors, and any other breakables that you might have. From there, once you have an idea of what needs additional care, you can begin the process of packaging it all in a well-fashioned manner.
So, let’s get started! First off, resist the urge to nestle your grandmother’s china set in your clothes hamper. Yes, sweatshirts and sweaters can offer some support but should not be relied upon as packing materials during the process of a move – especially when trying to safely transport your fragile items from your old home to your new home. So, back to the previous mention of how moving is stressful, we know there are many moving parts and decisions to be made.
For instance, some people may opt to pack their belongings on their own before passing them off to their movers for the transportation part. This is known as “PBO” (Packed by Owner) and, should you choose to take this route, you will need to ensure that your items are properly packaged and clearly marked so that it’s clear to your movers what’s in the box, what room the box is to go to, and if what’s inside is fragile. If a moving company did not actually pack the items on their own (CP- Carrier Packed), they can’t possibly know that your grandmother’s china set is in your clothes hamper! That being said, if an item ends up broken upon arrival to your new home, your moving company can only be held accountable if there is damage to the box. When choosing a mover be sure you understand the terms and conditions of their agreement with you and how liability options work. Many consumers assume that if something is broken the mover will replace it. This is just not true.
Here at Beltway Movers, we take great pride in our packing process and are happy to offer our packing services along with your move should you choose to not go the route of PBO. If you do need some guidance on how to package your fragile items, we’ve compiled some information below that we hope you find useful! And, if you have questions, we’re always happy to further discuss.
- Packing Strategy: Cushion the bottom of the box with crumpled newsprint. Wrap each item separately in white print newspaper, and place in a durable, strong box. Be sure to pack in layers, with the heaviest items at the bottom, using padding between each item, as well as on the top of the box. At Beltway Movers, we offer China Cartons that are specifically built for transporting fragile items such as china and dishware. We also sell newsprint and tape so you can pack like a pro!
- How to Wrap Plates and Crystal: When you wrap a plate, start with the white print newspaper at the corner of the plate and fold diagonally inward. Once you have enough of a barrier, stack the plates vertically upright, and at the bottom of the box in order to avoid breakage. Do not pack the plates flat! This will increase the risk of a break. When it comes to a crystal glass with a stem, wrap folded paper around the stem (sort of like a thick band of tape!), put crumples of paper inside of the glass, and then take the whole crystal glass and wrap it with paper. It’s important to think about the type of box you are using for your crystal ware to ensure it’s sturdy.
Last but not least, remember to label all boxes as “FRAGILE” once you’re done packing! This will help your movers understand to treat these boxes with extra care. If you need help packing for your next move, contact Beltway Movers today at (877) 830-7515. We look forward to working with you!
