Must-Have Moving Supplies for Packing Fragile Items

How do you make sure that your most fragile but beloved items will make it through the moving process unscathed? You have a number of different packing options available to you, and knowing what is most useful for delicate belongings can help keep your possessions intact. Here are the most important moving supplies for you to stock up on.

Boxes of Varying Sizes

Most items should go in standard-size boxes, putting as much into a box as you can reasonably fit. For fragile items, having a variety of different box sizes can help immensely. Ideally, the shapes and sizes of the boxes you have on hand should be able to hold the fragile item or items along with whatever packing materials you use to protect them. You should strive to get the snuggest fit possible – leaving too much space can leave your items prone to jostling and potentially lead to an unfortunate break.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap works better than foam packing peanuts and crumpled up newspaper when it comes to protecting fragile items. The reason for this is because you can fit the protective wrapping specifically to the product you are protecting. This reduces the amount of shifting that occurs during packing and moving and helps to make sure that your item doesn't slide in an awkward way which would leave it more vulnerable than normal.

Box Linings or Filler

Although packing peanuts alone can't guarantee that your fragile items will stay safe, they do serve a purpose if you don't have a snug box for your belongings or if you want an extra layer of protection. Whatever space you have left in your box should be filled with layers of foam or packing peanuts. The best way to use these filler items is to combine them with bubble wrap. That way, the fragile item remains undamaged even if it does slide around a little bit during the packing and moving process.

Packing Paper

Packing paper can help you avoid any damage to items that are easily scratched or dented when put in close proximity to other materials. This includes dishes and glassware, but can also extend to picture frames and ornaments. Packing paper has the same general consistency and utility as newspaper, but does not have any ink on it. This means that you don't have to worry about smudging from the newsprint. While packing paper does not make for a good replacement to bubble wrap, it adds an extra protective lair that many people find extremely helpful.

Moving Blankets

For heavy items that are hard to lift, you should consider moving blankets. Most professional moving companies offer these blankets as part of their services. However, if you are moving something yourself or just want to be extra prepared, having a few soft blankets that you don't mind getting stretched or possibly torn can help keep your homes, both old and new, in great condition. Moving blankets are intended to slide underneath items to make sure that they don't scratch up a surface they are sliding across. This works double duty – just as the blanket helps avoid scratching on floors, it also keeps the floor from scratching up the blanket.

Tape and Labels

Putting your possessions safely into a box only works if the box itself is sealed well. For this reason, it is important to make sure you use the right tape for the right job. Duct tape can work if you are moving the boxes by hand, but packing or shipping tape is superior when you want the boxes to stay sealed even after tampering. This is especially important if the boxes will be mailed or put on a truck with other items that might cause jostling. Masking tape can work for labels, but making sure that you have printable, brightly colored labels makes it easier to identify the contents of a box at a single glance.

It is a fact of life that many of the possessions which we value most highly also tend to be the most breakable. By making sure that you have the right supplies to get the job done, you can guarantee that your fragile items will make it to their destination safely.