Packing fragile items can be a challenge. For some people, the process can feel overwhelming. It’s completely normal to feel concerned about your valuables breaking or being damaged during transport. There are a lot of opportunities for these items to be mishandled or broken during a move. Study shows that 34% of packaging-related returns are due to product damage. So, how do you protect the things that matter most even while using QuickTotes moving totes? Here are a few packing and moving tips for your fragile items that you should keep in mind.
Grab the right packing materials
The thought of moving house can be daunting enough without having to think about packing fragile objects. The first thing you need to know is which correct packing supplies to use, and what they are for. You can use many of these packing materials inside your QuickTotes.
1. Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap excels at its primary purpose: keeping products safe and secure during transportation. A layer of bubble wrap can protect items from even severe impacts when doubled in an extra layer and paired with sturdier cardboard boxes.
2. Packing Peanuts
One advantage of packing peanuts is that you can push objects down into the peanuts so they are protected and surrounded, acting as a shock-absorbing layer. They can also be used as fillers to keep delicate items from sliding around, plus they’re fantastic for adding a layer of protection in between boxes.
3. Boxes
Always be prepared to have an assortment of boxes on hand. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and while the choices can be daunting, each box serves a specific purpose for the objects that should be placed within. This makes it easy for the movers and, as a result, keeps your belongings safer throughout transit.
4. Newspaper or Packing Paper
Packing paper and newspapers are excellent for wrapping objects, providing support for fragile items, and filling gaps in your totes. The only difference is that packing paper is specifically designed for packing; unprinted and professional-grade.
How to Pack and Move Fragile Items
Whether it’s something you have inherited from your grandparents like a mahogany trunk or a vase from your aunt, moving fragile items can often make the task of packing look much harder than it actually is. To make things easier for you, we’ve put up a list of the best packing tips below. This will give you a better idea of how to pack fragile items professionally without breaking the bank.
1. Use a Variety of Durable Box Sizes
The first step is to always be sure to use the appropriate size box. While our totes are once size, we do recognize that you might need additional boxes for different things. Another tip is that it’s always best to pack your stuff at the bottom of the tote or box and surround them with larger or heavier items on top – this way if the whole thing is dropped on its side all your really valuable possessions will be protected from harm.
2. Secure Electronics
Electronics are one of the most valuable items that can be shipped. Whether it’s a computer or a flat-screen TV, packing electronics requires special attention to detail in order to ensure it arrives undamaged. You would need to separate cords and accessories for better organization and use air pillows to prevent the electronics from moving around the box.
4. Use Dividers
Dividers create multiple sections inside a single open space. You may maximize the space available in your box or plastic moving tote for packing by utilizing these dividers. This prevents delicate household items from shifting and colliding with one another.
5. Wrap Each Individual Item and Piece
This goes without saying: put extra care with delicate objects by wrapping them. Because they can scrape one another in storage or transit, you’ll want to wrap each item separately with lots of paper to guarantee nothing gets damaged. Depending on your preference, you can wrap them in sheets of paper, bubble wrap, towels, and fill hollow spaces with crumpled packing paper.
6. Secure Boxes with Layers of Tape
If your favorite bread plates and bourbon glasses crash all over the driveway due to improper taping, maybe it’s time to think over your entire process. When you lift and stack these boxes, sturdy box taping ensures that they stay structured and that the bottoms don’t fall out. Tip: Using a tape dispenser will save you hours of peeling and cutting, as well as frustration and tired fingernails.
7. Label the Contents of Each Box or Tote
Label each box with its contents after the final pull so you know which room to deliver to at your new location. Have an inventory list with all your delicate objects if you do not want your valuable pieces or pricey champagne glasses to wind up under the books. Get that marker out once you’ve sealed each one; it’s their time to shine!
8. Hire a Moving Company
Self-moving is usually less expensive than hiring a full-service moving company. That’s undeniable. However, your budget may not always be significant, and there are many other aspects to consider, such as time, stress, and the amount of effort involved.
Moving is a fantastic option if you have few goods (no huge furniture and only a few boxes) and only a few miles to cover. If this isn’t the case though, we strongly advise you to hire a moving company instead!
Move using a greener alternative with QuickTotes
QuickTotes provides affordable, eco-friendly plastic moving totes for home and office moves in the Indianapolis, IN area. From start to finish, QuickTotes is committed to making your next move easier, smoother, and less stressful. So, reserve your totes online or give us a call at (317) 316-8973.