Did you know that American’s move an average of 11.7 times in their life? That’s a lot of time spent packing up your prized possessions!

Nothing is worse than breaking a beloved artifact during the moving process, but there are tricks you can use to ensure that your most fragile items arrive safely at your new home.

In this guide, we reveal the secrets of how packing glass and other breakable items can be done in a way that keeps them safe during a move.

Getting Prepared

When it’s time to pack up fragile items, it’s important to give yourself some time to get the materials you need for a safe transport. Sturdy boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, newspaper, a sharpie marker, and packing tape are all tools you will need before you begin the packing process.

Make sure to invest in higher-quality packing materials. Since higher-priced materials are unlikely to break or fall apart during transportation, it is well worth paying the extra cost.

The First Step to Packing Glass

When packaging glass, be sure to set aside a large amount of protective cushioning material and wrapping paper. Wrapping each glass item in several sheets of newspaper serves as a great first layer of protection.

Having a variety of different box sizes on hand will be helpful when packing up glass items. Items made of breakable material do best in smaller boxes, so don’t be afraid to use several boxes to get the job done when you pack glassware and other fragile items.

The Importance of Additional Cushioning

Before you put any of the glass items in the box, you should first line the box with a protective layer. Crumpled newspaper, foam pouches, bubble wrap, or soft cloth are all great options to use to keep your fragile items safe.

A good rule of thumb is to pack by weight. The heaviest items get put at the bottom of the box with the lighter items on top.

Once the glass items are in the boxes, it is time to add additional protective cushioning. This cushioning fills in the spaces around the delicate items keeping them from moving around during the move. Adding several layers of cushioning to the top of the box gives your valuables even more stability.

Don’t forget to label all of your boxes when you are finished packing them up. Adding notes about the contents, having arrows showing which way is up, and including caution labels for the delicate items are all good strategies to keep the items safe.

When in Doubt, Call the Pros!

You don’t have to tackle packing glass items yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the idea of packing your fragile items, consider hiring a moving company to do the job for you.

Here at Tri-Star Moving, we can help get even your most breakable items to your new home safely.