For anyone who is moving this busy holiday season, allow us to help look after your precious belongings with tips from the pros. We’ve seen some folks pack themselves so, unfortunately, we realize which household items are most likely to get damaged and typically aren’t packed properly.
We have compiled an old David Letterman list of the “Top Ten Items Damaged When Moving.” It’s surprising what items make the list. But not only have we complied probably the most breakable list, we’ve included tips about how to protect them properly so you can “break” this pattern. The last thing you need is broken dishware before a holiday/housewarming party!
The most notable Things that Get Damaged on Moving Day
1. Drinking Glasses
It is no surprise glasses are the #1 breakable. But, with simple measures you’ll be able to ensure they arrive in one piece.
How to protect: One of the key factors to keeping your glasses and wine glasses from breaking or getting crushed is utilizing the proper box. Use a “dishpack” box that has double thick walls for additional protection. Place a glass on packing paper horizontally. Grab a corner of the packing paper and roll the glass into the paper. Ensure that you tuck the sides of the paper in, just like you would do wrapping a burrito. Repeat 3 to 5 times (depending on thickness of glass) with additional sheets of packing paper. Make sure to label your glass burrito: “Wine Glass” so it won’t get tossed aside with the packing paper during the unpacking process. Cushion the bottom of box with crumpled packing paper. Place the wrapped glasses vertically (yes, you read that correctly: VERTICALLY) in a single layer in the box. They are much safer vertically. After completing the first layer, place packing paper on top. Repeat these layers until the box is full. Fill all remaining space with crumpled packing paper.
2. Plates
The most significant moving crime – plates are frequently placed in boxes without enough packing paper. You don’t want to hear the damaged dishes rattle in the box!
How to protect: To keep plates from breaking, first wrap each plate in packing paper. Repeat 3-5 times with additional sheets of packing paper until the plate is properly secured & cushioned. Label your little plate package: “Plate.” Again, use a secure dishpack box. Always, use plenty of tape on the bottom and tops of every moving box, just don’t use one strip of tape, use multiple strips and run the tape both directions to make sure that box is secure. Before placing any of the wrapped plates in the box, cushion the bottom of box with crippled packing paper. Then position the wrapped plates VERTICALLY in one layer in the box. After completing one layer, place packing paper on top. Repeat these layers until the box is full. When the box is full, fill any remaining space with crumpled packing paper.
3. Artwork
Glass artwork often breaks because there is insufficient cushioning in the moving box and the top of the box is left with a gap. The top of the box then collapses and the art work breaks.
How to protect: To safeguard artwork from breaking use a picture box. Line the bottom of the box with crumpled paper. Place the glass art in the box, then stuff front, back and along the top with paper and or eco-bubble wrap. You should be sure the box is completed packed with paper (top, bottom and sides) without having air gaps.
4. Lamp Shades
Lamp shades are an awkward shape and large, which makes it challenging to pack. If not packed properly, they can easily be dented or torn.
How to protect: Wrap the lamp shade in eco-bubble wrap, covering every inch. Then fill the interior cavity of the lamp shade with packing paper (do not use newspaper as the print may rub off onto your lamp shade). Fill the box with plenty of packing paper to help keep the shade from shifting around inside. Never place anything on top of the shade, not even soft items such as linens. Don’t use anything but packing paper to secure the lamp shade from shifting.
5. Liquid Cleaning Supplies
Frequently homeowners pack bottles of liquid cleaning supplies without sealing them properly. This causes leaks and damages things inside and outside the box. Do not pack or move flammable supplies!
How to protect: First, remove the cap from each bottle and place a small piece of plastic wrap over the opening. Then tightly screw the cap back on. Use tape again to secure the cap to the bottle. Begin placing the cleaning products in a small book size box and check out the weight along the way. You don’t want to pack the box too heavy. When the box is full but not too heavy, place packing paper all around the bottles to keep them from shifting. And, this is important, remember on every box be sure to use more than one strip of tape on the bottom and top of the box and run the tape in multiple directions. When a box is not taped properly, boxes can open at the bottom and spill on the floor. Always, label every box with its contents, room in the new home where the box should go and directional arrows pointing up. Repeat the label on each and every side of the box. You will hate us for this tip while you’re writing and rewriting the same thing again and again and love us later when you have stacks of boxes and don’t need to turn boxes around to discover what’s what.
6. Wine & Liquor Bottles
Again these bottles may easily leak or break, and damage items in and outside of the box.
How to protect: Utilize a divided/cell box you can get free from a specialty wine shop or liquor store, or buy a cell kit from a moving store. Use smaller boxes to make sure they are really easy to lift and carry. Again, ensure you double and even triple tape the bottom of the box. If you’re packing opened bottles, ensure they are properly sealed by tightening the caps. Tape the caps on to the bottles. Roll each bottle in packing paper with three to four layers of paper. Secure the wrapping with tape and ensure there are not any loose ends. Label the bottle: “Bordeaux.” Finally, place the bottle into the box. If there’s any space or gaps between the bottle and the divider, fill it with paper. Ensure that the box is not too heavy.
7. Mirrors
The big mistake with mirrors is that people pack them in picture boxes without any eco-bubble around the mirror. If the front of the mirror faces the wall of the box without protection, it will get damaged or even break.
How to protect: Use a flat box or have your movers pack the mirrors inside of a custom wood crate to provide extra protection. If you’re doing the packing, line the flat box with crushed packing paper to produce a padded bed for the mirror. Wrap the mirror completely in multiple sheets of paper or eco-bubble. Tape the wrapping tightly around the mirror and place the mirror in the box. Fill any gaps with more crumpled paper. Only pack one mirror to a box.
8. Glass Pictures
Glass picture frames are easily damaged if not packed in the right box. We want to keep those precious memories in one piece!
How to protect: Use a picture box. Line the bottom of box with crumpled packing paper. Wrap each picture frame in packing paper or eco-bubble and pack each frame in the box vertically. Stuff packing paper in between each picture and on top, making sure nothing will shift.
9. Stereo & Audio Equipment
The reason stereo and audio equipment gets damaged is folks stack a couple of components in the same box and they tend not to put any layers of padding in-between the devices.
How to protect: If possible, pack your stereo equipment in their original cartons. In the event you didn’t keep their original boxes, make use of a dishpak box. Remember, dishpaks are specially designed boxes to handle and protect fragile items. In case you can’t find dishpaks, use double corrugated boxes. After double taping the bottom of the box in the both directions, pack the bottom of each box with crumbled packing paper for padding. Wrap each electronic component separately in eco-bubble. Pull the wrap over and tape it all together. Make sure the item is totally covered. Place it up right, vertically in the box. Repeat this process for the next big item then place it vertically in the box next to the first item. Don’t stack! Stuff packing paper in open spaces and on top for extra cushion.
10. Books
This one is a surprising one, but if books are packed improperly they can actually get damaged. When books are placed too tight together the edges get folded and covers get damaged. Also, if books are packed with too many air pockets/gaps inside the box they can shift during transportation and get damaged (smashed corners, wrinkled covers, etc.).
How to protect: Use a book box. Place books flat, horizontally and stack them with the heaviest books on the bottom and the paperback books on top. Be sure not to make the box too heavy. Pack paper on top and sides if there are any air gaps.
In our 20 plus years in the US Army, we have moved several times and had our share of damaged items arrive at our new home. So let us help you get moved to Tampa damage free. To get started give us a call at 813-300-7116 or simply click here and we will be in touch with you shortly.