Packing Delicate Objects

Every move is likely to require the transportation of delicate and breakable items. Here are some tips on how to safely wrap these items, if you are doing your own packing. However, for some delicate and very valuable items, we generally advise that you keep these items separate from other household items; they may need to be transported separately. Please let Albany Removals know, in advance so we can offer advice.

Fragile items can be anything from plates, glassware and pictures to musical instruments, televisions and pottery. Breakage is always a risk, but this risk can be significantly reduced with careful packing.
Make sure you leave plenty of time for packing delicate and breakable objects. They cannot be thrown into a box last minute and hope for the best, if you want them in one piece at the other end.
Boxes with delicate and breakable items need clear labelling on all sides, so both you and your removal company know not to put these on the bottom of the lorry with other boxes on top. Write in large print or use warning tape to grab attention.

Packing Materials

As with all packing, delicate and breakable items need to be packed into a proper double walled box designed for the job. Don’t use supermarket boxes, they aren’t strong enough. Not only do they risk breaking your valuables, but broken glass can also pose a health and safety risk when moving and unpacking. Albany Removals can supply or advise you about the correct boxes.

Paper can be wrapped around most breakable objects, but bubble wrap will also be needed for the more delicate items. All items should have layers of paper first, before bubble wrap is added. This is because bubble wrap is plastic and can therefore cause moisture to be trapped. This is something to be avoided with materials that can be damaged by moisture. If you are likely to leave these items in boxes for extended periods there is an added risk of damp leading to mould, so ensure items are fully dried and wrapped with paper before packing, to reduce the risk.

With hollow items such as vases and glasses, you should add packing paper inside to add an additional level of shock absorbance. Stems are often particularly vulnerable to breakage so wind an extra layer of packing paper round them.

Plates should be packed with layers of paper between, or as many YouTube videos show- a layer of paper plates or servettes between. Finally, a layer of bubble wrap securely taped around batches of plates to avoid slipping and moving.

Secure each layer with strong tape. Delicate and breakable item may need several layers to protect them from jolts and bumps as the removal truck is driving. Remember we have no control of the placement of ramps, speed bumps potholes and uneven surfaces, so goods need to be robustly packed.

Boxes with delicate and breakable items should be packed tightly with additional crumpled packing paper to ensure there are no gaps for the item to move about in transit. Sometime the boxes can be filled with household soft pillows around a bubble wrapped item. The important thing to remember is that it needs to have a snug fit.

Light fixtures

You are not permitted to take fixed light fixtures without written agreement as they are considered part of the property you are selling however lamps are movable. Many lamps are also delicate as they are made from ceramics, glass etc. The shades are easy to bend and tear too. Follow the guidance for pottery and glass for the base. Ensure you remove bulbs as they are highly fragile. Pack out the shade with paper to add strength to avoid misshaping the frame and ripping the cover. Then cover the shade with layers of secured paper.

Digital Equipment

It is best to take digital equipment such as laptops with you rather than taken in a removal van. It is likely you’ll need them sooner than most household products anyway, so keeping at hand is useful rather than looking through boxes. Use the protection case made for their transport if you have them. Even with these cases it is wise to tape foam protection across the screens and around vulnerable areas. Bubble wrap with a final layer. Make sure the removal company is clear where the TV is wrapped especially if it is not obvious from the layer of packing. TVs need, as with other delicates, to be stored on the lorry in a safe place. Removable cables should be removed to avoid bending and breakage. These should be wrapped with plenty of covering as they tend to be delicate. Batteries should be removed for safety too. Tape to the TV or label so you can find them easily once settled into your new home.

As a final precaution for data storage items, if the worst was to happen, uploading data to a cloud account can give long-term peace of mind even after a move.

Glass Picture and Mirrors

As with TVs and digital screen equipment, ensure the glass area is covered with foam or thick cardboard covering, but before that it is advised to consider putting tape across the glass, rather like windows in the Blitz. This adds strength, but also if the worst does happen it keeps the glass in place to avoid further damage or injury.

Again, cover with layers of paper and bubble wrap and alert the removal company.

Garden Pots and ornaments

These are particularly difficult as the fact that they are kept outdoors means they are less stable and prone to damage when moved. They are not insured as part of the move because of this. Some of the larger ones can be very heavy too, especially if they contain plants (see previous blog regarding gardens). Large pots and ornaments are often left in a move, and some may even be classified as fixtures and fitting, so only remove with prior agreement. If you do wish to move these, tape and bubble wrap will help to protect and reduce the chance of damage.

Musical Instruments

We would strongly advise that these are moved by you, rather than in a lorry unless they are more robust and in a hardcase made specifically for that instrument. Please discuss their removal with the company.

Don’t forget, if you are disassembling things, to keep photos and instruction on how to reassemble.
If you are doing your own packing, you will not be insured for any breakage through the removal company, so take every care to look after your valuables. Alternatively, you could ask the removal company to pack.