sudney removalists interstate

Fragile Item Moving Tips

When you’re moving home, it doesn’t matter whether you’re moving to a new property in the same city, intercity or even interstate. The process of moving is inherently stressful. Not only do you need to undergo all the formalities and costs associated with moving, there’s also the logistical headache presented by moving day itself. With so many plates to spin and so many items requiring your care and attention, it’s easy to miss the little things that can later become big problems.

And the further away you’re moving, the greater your problems can seem. Not only do you need to carry out the move in a timely and well organised manner, you also need to make sure that your belongings are protected.

Protecting the things that mean the most to you

When you’re moving, it can be an extremely fast-paced and stressful experience, and it never feels as though you have enough time. Yet, don’t let the rush and stress in the run up to moving day pressure you into packing haphazardly, especially when it comes to your precious fragile belongings.

You may well have some belongings which can be damaged in transit which are of tremendous importance to you. They may either be extremely valuable in monetary terms, they may have enormous sentimental value or, most likely, both.

Nothing would sour the experience of moving day more than arriving in your new home to realise that your treasured fragile belongings have become damaged in transit. With this in mind it’s absolutely vital to protect the belongings which matter the most for you.

Here are some ways in which you can do exactly that…

Pack precious belongings as far in advance as possible

Your home may not feel like home without them within reach or on display. Nonetheless, one of the most effective ways to move fragile items is to pack them up first and as far in advance as possible. This will reduce the risks presented by rushed and / or haphazard packing. Even if you have to store them in the attic for a few days or weeks, this is far more advantageous than the possibility of your fragile items becoming damaged en-route.

Pack slow, pack steady

Another advantage of getting your fragile items packed first is that it affords you something that you’ll have less and less of as you get closer and closer to moving day… time!

Most damage is not incurred to fragile belongings in transit because of anything the driver or delivery service has done. One of the most common reasons for damaging fragile items is actually rushing while packing these belongings.

When you’re in a hurry, you move more quickly and with less care. And when moving in this way, it’s far more difficult to give these items the care and attention that they need.

Make it a point that when you sit down to pack your treasured fragile belongings, you have plenty of time at your disposal to pack slowly, carefully and methodically.

Make sure that you have the appropriate packaging materials

Experienced fragile movers will tell you that while haphazard packing is one of the most common causes of breakage and damage, the right packing materials can also make all the difference.

When you’re undergoing interstate removals, you can’t always be assured of consistently smooth, flat and straight roads. Shocks, bumps and vibrations picked up along the way represent a risk to your valuable belongings no matter how careful your driver may be.

In order to protect all your breakables from damage on the road, it’s a good idea to avail yourself of soft yet durable packaging materials that can easily absorb the shock, rumbles and vibrations that your valuables can endure on the road.

Many people use their own belongings such as socks, clothes, towels and blankets in order to protect fragile belongings on the road and while this is commendable, unfortunately, it can also cause disappointment when you arrive at your new home to find fragile belongings cracked or broken.

Household fabrics can be surprisingly inefficient when it comes to insulating your fragile items from risk.

While it may require some initial cost outlay, investing in the right packaging materials is the surest way to help you keep all your fragile valuables in good condition. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective packing materials for avoiding breakages…

  • Loose fill or packaging peanuts are important in filling the spaces left in packing boxes and buffer your belongings against shocks.
  • Bubble wrap is important in providing a cushioning effect which ensures that even if fragile items collide with other objects, they won’t be damaged. If you’re plastic-averse, consider instead using heavy grade paper and corrugated fibre board. Alternatively, while it may cost a little more biodegradable bubble wrap can protect your belongings on your interstate move without damaging the planet.
  • If your budget is limited (moving house is a costly process after all) scrunching up balls of old newspaper is an effective and eco-friendly way of protecting your belongings in transit.

Ensure that your belongings are properly configured

When packing fragile items, how they are configured within the box amidst other items is an extremely important consideration.

Fragile items need to be packed into boxes very carefully. Different kinds of fragile items need to be packed in specific ways to reduce the risk of damage during the removal process. Let’s look at some common examples to help illustrate this.

Plates, for example, are often damaged in transit because they are improperly packed. AT best this is an inconvenience and at worst results in the loss of valuable china. Use the proper procedure when packing plates. Enfold them in paper and place packed tightly together in the box. Place them vertically so as to leave no spaces in between and consume less space within the box.

When packing the glasses, simply place balls of newspaper or tissue inside all the glasses and then add a layer of newspaper to the exterior every glass.

When packing lamps, separate the bulb from the shade against the stand. Wrap the stand in newspaper and lay it sideways. Pack the bulb separately wrapped in paper and carefully settled in the box to reduce the risk of breakage.

Mark the box fragile or colour it red

Whether you’re moving with the aid of interstate removalists or doing it alone, it’s easy to forget which items are fragile in the blur of panic that is moving day. Mark boxes filled with fragile items in red or with the word “FRAGILE”. If using a removals specialist ensure that they know well in advance which boxes contain fragile items.

They may require you to use their own stickers so that they can quickly and easily identify boxes filled with fragile items. Marking your fragile items apart reduces the risk of unintentional damage when being handled by movers or yourself or members of your family.

How we can help

As experienced interstate movers, every day is moving day for us. As such, we know a thing or two about packing and transporting your valuables, even when you’re moving long distances or interstate.
We are established specialists in home and commercial removals and offer a comprehensive range of packing and moving services to suit your needs. Need to store your valuables somewhere safe prior to moving? No problem! We also offer safe and secure storage services. And with our backloading services, we can offer a range of moving solutions to suit every budget. Want to know more? Click here to arrange a completely free consultation.