Packing Fragile Items & How to Pack Them Well

Packing for yourself can be a great way to save money on your move.  Here are some tried and true tips, straight from the professional packers at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Greater Lansing.

First of all, keep these general packing guidelines in mind:

• Use sturdy boxes or containers with lids that close.
• Use plenty of cushioning to reduce shifting and breakage.
• Wrap items carefully.
• Pack boxes firmly.  Items should not jostle around or cause the walls of the box to bulge outward or bend inward.
• Tape the bottoms of the boxes; don't just interlock them as they could break open.
• Don't make the boxes too heavy. Remember, the heavier the item, the smaller the box.

Tips for packing china, glassware and dishes

• To minimize the chance of breaking something, wrap fragile items over a padded surface so that if you do drop something, it will land on a soft surface.
• Layer the bottom of the box with crumpled paper (this is a great place to use newspaper).
• It is best to place plates and flatter dishes on the bottom layer of the box.
• Wrap each piece individually in clean paper.  Using several sheets of paper, start from a corner and wrap diagonally and tuck in overlapping edges.  Newspaper can be used as an outer layer, but never against china as the ink may stain it. 
• Bundle 3 or 4 plates or bowls together in another double layer of paper.  Place the bundles in a row along an edge of the box.  
•  As you fill the box, with the larger, heavier pieces on the bottom of the box, fill in empty spaces with crumpled paper.  Add a good layer of more crumpled paper on top to protect the rims and to create a level base for the next tier.
• Smaller plates and bowls can make up the next layer.  Wrap and pack in the same manner as described above.
•  Shallow bowls can stand on  edge in the box and deeper ones, such as mixing bowls, should nest together, with paper in between each, upside down on their rims.
• Professional packers use special boxes called dish packs or dish barrels to pack fine china and delicate glassware.  These boxes are double-walled constructed and also come with adjustable "cells" that will accommodate and protect items of varying sizes.
• Wrap cups and glasses individually in double layers of paper, with handles protected with extra packing paper.  Place them upside down on the upper layer  with all handles facing the same direction.
• Label all boxes "FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP".

Tips for packing figurines, lamps and other delicate items
 

• For very fragile pieces, it is recommended that you use the original packaging.  If that's not available, use bubble wrap.  This comes in both small and large bubble sizes and in sheets or rolls.  
• Never wrap lamp shades in newspaper.  The ink will rub off and leave permanent stains.  Pillowcases or large towels are great to use here.  Use a sturdy box that is at least 2 inches larger all around the largest shade.  Line it with clean paper, with crumpled paper under the shade to create a cushion, but not around the shade.  You can nest smaller shades inside larger ones, but make sure they do not touch each other.
• For lamps, remove the light bulb and harp and wrap each separately in paper.  Place them together in a box, filling the empty space with crumpled paper.  If your box is large enough, more than one well cushioned lamp may be packed together.
• Protect framed photos, artwork and mirrors with padding and cushioning.  If they are small enough, you can stand them on edge in a box.  You can purchase picture boxes that are actually just corrugated corners for mirrors and larger framed items.  Then, wrap with paper pads, bubble wrap or stretch wrap for more protection.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Greater Lansing offers a complete line of reasonably priced packing supplies and boxes.  And, the trained packers can offer assistance with packing nearly anything in your home.  Just ask your Move Consultant for more details.

Packing Tips

Packing for yourself can be a great way to economize your move. To help you pack as safely and efficiently as possible, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has compiled tips to make your packing experience easier.

• Do not over pack moving boxes — the heavier the item, the smaller the moving box.
• Start packing the items you don't need as soon as you know you're moving.
• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same moving boxes.
• Put detailed labels on tops and sides of all moving boxes.
• Don't interlock moving box tops. They must always be sealed with packing tape.
• Pack a moving box of things that you will need immediately at your new home and make sure it is loaded last on the truck so that the contents will be immediately available at your new home.
• To minimize the chance of breakage, pack and unpack over a padded surface so that if you do drop an item, it will land on a cushioned surface.
• Lampshades and fine china should not be packed in newspaper because the ink can permanently stain these items. Instead, use packing paper.

- See more at: http://www.twomenandatrucklansingmi.com/lansing-home-packing-services#sthash.DvUsHZbF.dpufPa

Packing Tips

Packing for yourself can be a great way to economize your move. To help you pack as safely and efficiently as possible, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has compiled tips to make your packing experience easier.

• Do not over pack moving boxes — the heavier the item, the smaller the moving box.
• Start packing the items you don't need as soon as you know you're moving.
• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same moving boxes.
• Put detailed labels on tops and sides of all moving boxes.
• Don't interlock moving box tops. They must always be sealed with packing tape.
• Pack a moving box of things that you will need immediately at your new home and make sure it is loaded last on the truck so that the contents will be immediately available at your new home.
• To minimize the chance of breakage, pack and unpack over a padded surface so that if you do drop an item, it will land on a cushioned surface.
• Lampshades and fine china should not be packed in newspaper because the ink can permanently stain these items. Instead, use packing paper.

- See more at: http://www.twomenandatrucklansingmi.com/lansing-home-packing-services#sthash.DvUsHZbF.dpuf

Packing Tips

Packing for yourself can be a great way to economize your move. To help you pack as safely and efficiently as possible, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has compiled tips to make your packing experience easier.

• Do not over pack moving boxes — the heavier the item, the smaller the moving box.
• Start packing the items you don't need as soon as you know you're moving.
• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same moving boxes.
• Put detailed labels on tops and sides of all moving boxes.
• Don't interlock moving box tops. They must always be sealed with packing tape.
• Pack a moving box of things that you will need immediately at your new home and make sure it is loaded last on the truck so that the contents will be immediately available at your new home.
• To minimize the chance of breakage, pack and unpack over a padded surface so that if you do drop an item, it will land on a cushioned surface.
• Lampshades and fine china should not be packed in newspaper because the ink can permanently stain these items. Instead, use packing paper.

- See more at: http://www.twomenandatrucklansingmi.com/lansing-home-packing-services#sthash.DvUsHZbF.dpuf

Packing Tips

Packing for yourself can be a great way to economize your move. To help you pack as safely and efficiently as possible, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has compiled tips to make your packing experience easier.

• Do not over pack moving boxes — the heavier the item, the smaller the moving box.
• Start packing the items you don't need as soon as you know you're moving.
• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same moving boxes.
• Put detailed labels on tops and sides of all moving boxes.
• Don't interlock moving box tops. They must always be sealed with packing tape.
• Pack a moving box of things that you will need immediately at your new home and make sure it is loaded last on the truck so that the contents will be immediately available at your new home.
• To minimize the chance of breakage, pack and unpack over a padded surface so that if you do drop an item, it will land on a cushioned surface.
• Lampshades and fine china should not be packed in newspaper because the ink can permanently stain these items. Instead, use packing paper.

- See more at: http://www.twomenandatrucklansingmi.com/lansing-home-packing-services#sthash.DvUsHZbF.dpuf