By Mitch Rice
Moving requires a delicate balancing act. You’re juggling two priorities: getting everything packed quickly and compactly while also protecting your most valuable possessions.
What is the greatest technique to keep your valuables from breaking? To prevent the most commonly damaged objects, use the correct supplies, take your time, and follow these 7 pro suggestions.
Utilize only new and certified moving supplies
Reusing old cardboard boxes obtained from friends or local retailers may save you some money in the short term, but it is not worth the risk of destroying your belongings.
A better option would be to start again with new, high-quality moving supplies. While selecting moving boxes, look for the manufacturer’s Box Certificate mark on the bottom. Here is where the manufacturer specifies the box’s durability in terms of:
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The maximum weight that the packing box is intended to support.
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The Edge Crush Test determines stacking strength by testing how much pressure it can withstand. The higher this number, the better your cartons will withstand the rigors of moving day.
P.S. When you’re finished packing those boxes, make sure you clearly label them as FRAGILE. Of course, if you’re using moving services, you won’t have to think about this too much.
Don’t leave any empty space in moving boxes
Allowing wide space between things might cause shifting and damage during the transferring process.
Instead, arrange ahead of time to place goods close together. Cover any vacant area with kitchen towels or crumpled packing paper (which is heavier than newspaper and will not leave ink stains). In this day and age, who has newspapers for crumpled paper laying about the house?)
Wrap the bubble wrap with caution
When it comes to relocating, packing with bubble wrap is your greatest friend, along with a reputable moving company. Aside from carefully enclosing fragile things, add a layer or two of bubble wrap to the top and bottom of their packing boxes. You’ll be assisting in protecting them from being jolted by the boxes stacked on top or underneath in the moving truck.
Choose the Correct Size Box
Moving boxes come in a range of sizes and forms if you order from the proper place. This makes it simple to select the appropriate box (and, if necessary, plastic wrap) for unusually shaped objects. Big framed portraits or glass picture frames, for example, will be considerably better protected in a large, flat picture box. Smaller, reinforced china cartons are suitable for fragile kitchenware such as wine glasses.
Don’t Stuff Moving Boxes
When your boxes are properly packed, your movers will be able to stack them more securely since they are devoid of lumps, bumps, or bulges (the boxes, not the movers). That means no crowding or overstuffing while packing your moving boxes.
Are you inclined to throw in one more thing? Continue to resist. You’ll be grateful when it comes time to unpack – when your valuables reappear, unscathed by faulty packing.
Use Moving Blankets
How do you load extra-large pieces of furniture, such as your exquisite glass coffee table? With the extra cushion, proceed with caution. Wrap breakable parts in moving blankets to safeguard them. Moreover, this will avoid dings to the walls as you go in and out.
Don’t Hasten the Process
Allow for additional time for any special preparations. Make a list of your fragile items and decide how to pack each one. Spend a few minutes measuring doorways to see if you’ll need to disassemble large pieces of furniture. If at all feasible, make sure that all breakables go onto the truck last and are stored in a designated safe place after they reach your new residence. This will allow you to unpack slowly and cautiously.
6 Typical Valuables That Need Appropriate Packaging
Artwork
There’s an art to packaging artworks and sculptures – use plenty of padding and the correct box or wooden crate.
Glasses and Dishes Packing glasses and dishes correctly can be difficult. Plates perform best when piled vertically; dividers should be used to protect drinking glasses and goblets.
Mirrors Use a mirror box designed specifically for packing large mirrors. Include a paper moving pad and plenty of packing paper and bubble wrap.
Electronics Flat-screen televisions and other electronics are both delicate and expensive. If possible, repack electronics in their original boxes; otherwise, well-fitting, sturdy packaging is preferable. To safeguard microchips, use antistatic bubble wrap. Always move a flat-screen television upright. It’s critical to pack key gadgets like your computer so they don’t get damaged during your relocation. To make things easier, read our instructions on packing your computer for relocating.
Fitness Equipment
You’ll almost certainly need to remove home gym equipment for moving—
Little bits should be placed in clearly labeled plastic bags. Packing tape power cords and moving parts to equipment, then wrapping the entire bundle with a moving blanket.
Appliances
Because so many appliances require particular pre-moving preparation, advance planning is necessary. To illustrate, you should leave the dishwasher and washing machine doors open for at least 48 hours before relocating to allow any water to evaporate. You may also need to schedule an appointment with a plumber or technician to disconnect (and reconnect) important appliances. See our Packing Appliances guide for more information.
Empire Movers & Storage Is Concerned
Empire Movers & Storage value your belongings. We’ll do everything we can to keep them secure during your local or long-distance transfer. Request our skilled packing services for added peace of mind.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
