Get the right materials first
Fragile things break when they shift inside the box. Your whole job is to stop that movement. Start with materials made for it:
- Small and medium boxes in good shape, plus double-wall dish-pack boxes for heavy glass and ceramics
- Plain packing paper, and more of it than you expect
- Bubble wrap for the most delicate pieces
- Cell dividers for glasses and small figurines
- Strong packing tape and a thick marker
We can deliver packing materials to your door before the move, so you skip the hunt for boxes.
8 tips for packing fragile items
1. Use small boxes for heavy fragile things
A large box full of ceramics gets too heavy to carry with care, and a heavy box is more likely to be set down hard. Keep glass, stone and ceramics in small boxes. Use large boxes for light things like lampshades and pillows.
2. Build a soft floor and fill every gap
Put a thick layer of crumpled paper in the bottom of each box. After the items go in, fill every gap with more paper. Close the lid and shake the box gently. If you hear or feel movement, open it and add paper.
3. Wrap each piece on its own
Wrap every item separately in paper, and add bubble wrap to the pieces you would hate to lose. Do not use newspaper on light-colored china or fabric, because the ink rubs off. Stuff paper inside vases, bowls and cups to support them from within.
4. Stand flat things on edge
Plates, framed photos and platters survive much better standing on edge, like files in a drawer, than lying flat in a stack. A stack puts the weight of every piece on the one at the bottom.
5. Heavy on the bottom, light on top
Put the heaviest wrapped items at the bottom and the lightest on top. Keep each box light enough that one person can carry it with steady hands.
6. Label the sides, not only the top
Write FRAGILE, the room name and an arrow for this side up on at least two sides. Once boxes are stacked, the tops are hidden. A short contents list on the side also helps you unpack in the right order.
7. Give TVs and electronics their own plan
Use the original box if you kept it. If not, use a TV box, or wrap the screen in a moving pad and keep the set upright. Never put tape on the screen. Photograph the cable setup before you unplug anything, and keep cables and remotes in one labeled bag. Take the bulbs out of lamps and pack the shades separately.
8. Crate what paper cannot protect
Large mirrors, glass tabletops, marble tops, sculpture and framed art under glass need more than paper. Mirror and picture boxes work for medium pieces. For large or valuable pieces, a custom wood crate holds the item still. Crating is one of our services.
Packing for storage is different
Boxes that go into storage sit for weeks or months, often under other boxes. Use strong boxes, not bags or thin grocery boxes. Fill them completely so the tops do not sink. Do not seal wood or leather tightly in plastic for a long time, because plastic traps moisture. In the unit, keep fragile boxes on top and leave an aisle so you can reach them. Keep a list of what each box holds.
We offer short- and long-term storage through affiliated, clean and secure self-storage facilities. See storage for how it fits into your move.
Collectibles and heirlooms
Figurines, glass collections, vintage instruments and family china are hard to replace. Photograph each piece before you pack it. Wrap small collectibles one by one, set them in cell dividers, and pack the box tight. Carry the smallest high-value items, like jewelry, coins and watches, in your own bag, not on the truck.
Basic valuation coverage is included at no charge. On interstate moves it is released value: 60 cents per pound per article. It pays by weight, not by what an item is worth, so a light and valuable piece gets little under it. Ask what it covers at the estimate.
When to let a crew pack
If time is short or you own a lot of glass, book packing for the fragile rooms only and pack the rest yourself. We pack full homes, or just the kitchen, the china cabinet and the art. Details are on our packing services page. Pianos, from uprights to grands, are a separate job; see piano movers.
Can I use newspaper?
Only as crumpled filler around dark or sturdy items. The ink rubs off on china and light fabrics. Plain packing paper is cleaner.
How do I know a box is packed well?
Close it and shake it gently. If nothing moves or clinks, it is ready. If you hear movement, add paper.
Can you pack only my fragile items?
Yes. With partial packing, we pack the glass, the kitchen and the art, and you pack the rest.