Packing delicate items for moving is a special art which requires special expertise, substantial knowledge and some previous experience. You certainly want your precious goods to arrive at the destination in, as good condition as they were prior to being packed. It is a complex process which takes some time and a lot of patience. Nevertheless you could use some assistance.
There are many reasons why most people hire their mover to do such delicate job or at least ask them for assistance or some tips for the packing you prefer. They have well trained and qualified staff to deal with any kind of packing. Anyway, you must have in mind a lot of various things, such as the weight of the item, a kind of paper used for wrapping, the size of the box where we will store the items for shipping, tying up the pieces together, wrapping them in a proper way.
So, your precious items have to be kept safe from bumps, vibrations and shocks of any kind. Most of them are fragile and they mustn’t shift in order to survive the trip safe and sound. However, much of the secret is applying some good common sense and the right material.
Packing material should need special physical characteristics in order to remain elastic and resistant under the weight of the item. Most people would use some soft clothes as towels and blankets or they prepare a bunch of old newspapers for wrapping. These types of packing may be questioned since they have some disadvantages. They could eventually compress and they will not withstand multiples shocks. Keep in mind that newspapers contain the ink which never thoroughly dries so they will require cleaning after unpacking. There is a variety of packaging materials efficient at cushioning which are available from most moving and storing companies which you can choose from, as bubble wrap, mattress bags, foam structures engineered to fit around the item, corrugated fibreboard pads made from a fluted board, foam packing peanuts which take up the space between the items and the sides of the box where the items are placed. Bubble wrap itself doesn’t secure your items protected; you need to pack as a professional. Pack heavier items into the shallower boxes and fill the large cartons with some lighter stuff. A variety of cartons works best so preparing more than you need is better than using some inappropriate ones just to make the job done.
When it comes to the boxes, you will probably start collecting them from your local grocery store. Choose some newer boxes because they easily become flimsy over the time. The carton must be large enough to accommodate the items and intended for packing fragile articles. The items need to be blocked and braced within the box to securely hold them in place while transporting. Start collecting them early and flatten them out so they won’t require much space for storage. They should be in good condition and have the covers which are still intact in order you can close them up and seal them well. Most of them you will get have the covers removed so try talking with the store manager to leave you those ones with the covers. Liquor cartoons are recommended for you since they are sturdy and contain dividers inside, perfect for glasses, vases, bottles and similar items this size. The safety of shipment should be your primary concern so consult your mover seeking for some useful advice. Do not overpack each box and make sure that the tape will keep it covered to save your mover some extra trouble.
After you are equipped with the suitable cartons and your items are packed well inside the, you have to choose the best tape for sealing. Take the plastic one which is wide enough to stick parts of the cartons tight and firm. It will probably be necessary to ask your mover to do some of the packing for you, especially if you need some specialized cartons which are impossible to purchase in regular shops, some of the larger size, mattress cartons or containers for mirrors or large pictures. Hanging clothing would need to be hung in movers’ wardrobe cartons. That way it will save trouble and expense of having it cleaned and ironed after you unpack them again.
The next thing you should consider is to start packing early enough to do the job well. You could pack a few boxes a day and start with the areas where the goods are not in frequent use. It could be the cellar, the attic or the garage or any other appropriate place which you don’t enter very often.
There is one simple method you can stick to while inserting some fragile stuff into the box. Just place a kind of blanket on the bottom, carefully wrap each item separately with at least two layers and make sure it is wrapped snugly in order to prevent jiggling. Use a sheet bubble wrap among the items after you place them vertically in the carton. You mustn’t leave any extra space in between and then place a smooth pillow on top of them. After you seal it up, do not forget to label the box immediately, labelling it: fragile on all sides. It also helps much if you stick a small note with the list of items placed inside, which will remind you later what you have packed there.
To conclude, with proper packing materials, the right techniques and a bit of luck, of course, all your precious and valuable items will arrive at your new home intact and in excellent working condition.
