Tri-Cities Movers’ Guide to Packing Fragile Items for Long-Distance Moves
Are you gearing up for a big move but feel anxious about your fragile items? Long-distance moves have extra risks for breakable items due to more extended travel, multiple handling points, and potential climate changes. Fortunately, properly packing fragile items can help mitigate potential risk.
We at Speedy Movers, a trusted Tri-Cities-based moving company with proven experience in protecting fragile items during long hauls, are sharing our practical guide for individuals and families preparing for a long-distance move from or to the Tri-Cities area. Today, we are focused on properly packing fragile items!
Essential Packing Materials:
Before packing fragile items, it’s vital to have your essential packing materials. Here is what you will need:
- Double-walled moving boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper
- Foam inserts
- Dish packs and cell dividers
- Packing tape
- “Fragile” labels
- Corner protectors
- Stretch wrap
Plus, don’t forget to have scissors, markers, and tape dispensers on hand for quick efficiency!
Room-Specific Fragile Items:
As one of the region’s top moving and packing companies, we at Speedy Movers have packed a lot of homes. Most commonly, we see the following fragile items in each room:
In the Kitchen: Dishes, mugs, glassware, and antiques
In the Living Room: TVs, gaming systems, lamps, and picture frames
In Bedrooms: Mirrors, jewelry boxes, and keepsakes
In the Office: Electronics, monitors, and printers
Step-by-Step Tips for Packing Fragile Items:
Fragile items require expert care. Not only are they fragile, but they often have either a high monetary or sentimental value. To ensure they make it to your next destination, here are our step-by-step suggestions for packing fragile items.
Step 1: Individually Wrap
Each fragile item should be individually wrapped with soft padding. Whether you choose to use packing paper or bubble wrap, you will want to ensure it is fully wrapped to protect every corner.
Step 2: Stack Heavy First
When you place the fragile item in a box, we suggest giving it its own small box or packing it with other, similarly-sized fragile items. When packing, the heaviest items should be on the bottom and the lightest items on top.
Step 3: Fill Empty Boxes
Once you have packed your box, you will want to make sure that the box is full, using crumpled paper, towels, or foam peanuts. Having the box filled up will prevent your fragile items from shifting during movement.
Step 4: Utilize Specialty Boxes
If possible, we recommend using specialty boxes when packing fragile items that are common across households, such as dishes or glassware. For example, at Speedy Movers, we offer dish barrels – a specially designed box just for dishes.
Alternatively, if you happen to have the original box and packing materials for the item, we highly suggest using those. We commonly see this for electronics like computers, televisions, and printers. The original manufacturer’s box will provide the most significant safety as the item is designed to perfectly fit in the box.
Step 5: Clearly Label
Lastly, when packing fragile items, clearly label all fragile boxes with “this side up” and “fragile” instructions. This will notify moving and packing companies to be extra careful when handling these boxes and to prioritize special placement inside the moving trucks.
Climate and Distance Considerations:
If you are performing a long-distance or out-of-state move, temperature and humidity changes can impact packing materials as well as the moving items. We recommend using moisture-resistant packing materials and proper insulation, especially for delicate electronics or musical instruments.
Alternatively, you may want to explore the benefits of a climate-controlled moving truck. However, keep in mind that when using a climate-controlled truck, the items are only protected when the truck is closed. They can still be affected if the truck is left open or during the packing/unpacking process. We suggest speaking with your long-distance movers to understand the best options for your specific items.
Speedy Movers’ Professional Services:
Based in the Tri-Cities, we at Speedy Movers have a strong local reputation as one of the region’s best moving and packing companies. With proven success in both residential and commercial long-distance relocations, our customers enjoy our emphasis on safety, organization, and communication throughout the moving process.
At Speedy Movers, we offer partial and full packing services for short and long-distance movers. When it comes to packing fragile items, our expert packing services are designed to handle every item you throw our way. We offer custom crating for large or oddly shaped breakables and specialty boxes for high-value or delicate items. Plus, our experienced long-distance crews are highly trained in handling items with care throughout the entire journey.
Planning a long-distance move? Trust Speedy Movers to protect your most fragile belongings—contact us today for expert packing services and a free quote.