How To Pack Fragile Items For Moving?

Pack Like a Pro: Your Ultimate Guide on How to Pack Fragile Items for Moving

Moving house is a mix of excitement and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of stress. Whether you’re tackling the job yourself or have hired professional local removalists, nothing dials up that stress quite like the thought of your precious, fragile items. The sound of a clinking box is enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right supplies, a bit of planning, and the proper techniques, you can pack your breakables with the confidence of a professional removalist.

This is your complete, step-by-step guide to packing fragile items for moving, ensuring everything from your nanna’s antique vase to your brand-new telly arrives at your new home in one piece.

Before You Begin: Gather Your Arsenal of Packing Supplies

The secret to a successful move starts long before you seal the first box. Having the right materials on hand is non-negotiable. Don’t skimp here—it’s a small investment to protect your most valuable possessions.

Essential Packing Materials:

• Sturdy Moving Boxes: Use high-quality, double-walled cardboard moving boxes. Don’t rely on old supermarket boxes that might collapse. Get a variety of sizes, especially smaller “book” or “crystal” boxes for heavy, fragile items.
• Packing Paper (Butcher’s Paper): This is your number one tool. It’s clean, flexible, and perfect for wrapping individual items and filling gaps. Avoid newspaper, as the ink can transfer onto your items.
• Bubble Wrap: Essential for providing a cushioned layer of protection for extra-delicate items like electronics, artwork, and large vases.
• Packing Tape: Invest in quality, wide packing tape. You’ll need it to assemble and securely seal your boxes.
• Labels and Markers: A thick permanent marker is a must. Clearly labelling boxes is one of the most important steps.
• Specialty Boxes (Optional but Recommended):
  • Cell or Divider Boxes: These are a lifesaver for glassware, mugs, and wine bottles.
  • Picture/Mirror Boxes: Specially designed flat boxes to protect artwork and mirrors.

Smart DIY Alternatives:

• Clean towels, linens, and even soft clothing can be used for extra padding and to wrap larger, less intricate items. Just ensure they’re clean!

The Golden Rules of Packing Fragiles

Before we dive into specifics, here are the universal principles that apply to all breakables.

1. Cushion the Bottom (and Top): Always start by creating a soft bed at the bottom of the box. Use scrunched-up packing paper, a towel, or bubble wrap to create a 5-10 cm cushion. Do the same on top before sealing.
2. Wrap Items Individually: Every single fragile item should be wrapped separately in packing paper. This prevents them from clanking and scratching against each other.
3. Pack Heavier Items at the Bottom: Place the sturdiest and heaviest items at the bottom of the box and lighter, more delicate pieces on top.
4. Fill All Gaps: Empty space is the enemy. Any wiggle room allows items to shift and break. Fill every nook and cranny with scrunched-up paper, linens, or packing peanuts. The box should be firm, with no movement inside when you gently shake it.
5. Don’t Overpack: A box of fragile items should be heavy enough to be stable, but not so heavy that you (or your removalist) can’t lift it safely. A box that’s too heavy is more likely to be dropped.
6. Tape Securely: Use the “H-tape” method. Tape down the centre seam of the box and then across both edges to ensure the bottom and top are completely secure.

Step-by-Step Guides for Common Fragile Items

Let’s get specific. Here’s how to tackle the most common fragile items in your home.

How to Pack Plates and Bowls

Plates are strongest on their edge. Never pack them flat!

1. Lay a sheet of packing paper on a flat surface.
2. Place one plate in the centre. Fold one corner of the paper over the plate.
3. Place a second plate on top. Fold another corner of the paper over it.
4. Continue stacking 3-4 plates, wrapping each one with a new layer of paper.
5. Once you have a bundle, wrap the entire stack securely with another 1-2 sheets of paper and tape it shut.
6. Place the bundle into the box vertically (on its edge), just like you would in a dish rack.
7. Repeat until the box is full, packing them tightly together. Pack bowls using a similar stacking and wrapping method.

How to Pack Glasses and Stemware

1. For standard glasses, stuff the inside with a scrunched-up half-sheet of packing paper to provide internal support.
2. Place the glass on its side at the corner of a sheet of packing paper.
3. Roll the glass diagonally across the paper, tucking in the sides as you go.
4. For delicate stemware (wine glasses), pay extra attention to wrapping the stem first before rolling the entire glass.
5. Place the wrapped glasses into a cell/divider box with the rim facing down. This is the strongest part of the glass.
6. If you don’t have a cell box, place them standing up, with the sturdiest glasses at the bottom. Fill all surrounding space with paper.


How to Pack Lamps and Lampshades

Always pack lamps and their shades separately.

• Lampshade: Lampshades are incredibly delicate. Never pack them with other items. Give them their own box. Wrap the shade loosely in packing paper or a clean pillowcase. Fill the surrounding space with soft material, ensuring nothing presses against the shade’s shape.
• Lamp Base: Remove the lightbulb and harp (the metal frame). Wrap the harp and bulb separately. Wrap the entire lamp base in bubble wrap, paying special attention to the cord, and place it upright in a box. Fill the gaps.

How to Pack Mirrors, Picture Frames, and Artwork

1. For small frames, wrap them individually in packing paper and stack them vertically in a box.
2. For larger pieces, create a large ‘X’ on the glass with painter’s tape. This won’t stop it from breaking, but it will hold the pieces together if it does.
3. Protect the corners with cardboard corner protectors.
4. Wrap the entire piece in several layers of bubble wrap and secure with tape.
5. Slide it into a dedicated picture/mirror box. If you don’t have one, you can sandwich it between two large, flattened pieces of cardboard taped securely around it.
6. Always transport and store mirrors and artwork on their edge, never flat.

How to Pack Electronics (TVs, Computers, etc.)

1. The original box is always the best option. If you still have it, use it!
2. If not, find a suitable box. Take a photo of the back of the device so you remember where all the cables go.
3. Unplug all cables and pack them in a labelled zip-lock bag.
4. Wrap the device in anti-static bubble wrap (essential for computers) or regular bubble wrap.
5. Place it in the box, ensuring it’s upright. Use foam, towels, or scrunched paper to ensure it cannot move at all.

The Final Touches: Sealing, Labelling, and Loading

You’re almost there! Don’t let your hard work go to waste in the final stages.

• Seal It Tight: Use the H-tape method on the top of the box.
• Label Everything: This is critical. On the top and at least two sides of the box, write in large, clear letters:
  • FRAGILE
  • THIS WAY UP ↑ (with arrows)
  • CONTENTS (e.g., “Kitchen Glasses,” “Living Room Lamp”)
  • ROOM (e.g., “KITCHEN,” “MASTER BEDROOM”)
• Loading the Truck: When loading the moving truck, ensure your fragile boxes are placed on top of sturdy furniture or stacks of non-fragile boxes. Never put heavy items on top of a box labelled “FRAGILE.” If you’ve hired a professional removalist, they’ll know what to do, but your clear labels make their job easier and your items safer.

Frequently Asked Questions