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Packing up your belongings for storage can be a hassle, but it needs to be done right. Boxing up sturdier items shouldn’t be too difficult, but what about your more fragile possessions? Plates, glasses, lamps, and picture frames can break easily, and they should be packed with care. Rather than opening your boxes weeks later to find everything shattered from the move, follow these steps to ensure your delicate belongings are safe.

How to Pack Breakable Items Safely for Storage

1. Wrap Pieces Individually

To make sure every item is protected, you’ll need to wrap everything individually. Use packing paper or newspaper to cover every visible spot, and push the paper into the openings of glasses, mugs, and bowls. Double wrap extra-delicate glassware such as wine glasses and crystal. You can use packing tape to secure the paper as an extra precaution.

2. Line the Bottom of Boxes

storageBefore you start piling everything into boxes, you should take care to line the bottom of each one with paper. This may not seem that important, but between items on the bottom being closest to the hard ground and boxes constantly being lifted and set down, this is a very vulnerable area for fragile items to be in. Crumple packing paper or newspaper to create a multi-inch cushion. Nothing should be within two inches of any edge of the box.

3. Pack Strategically

Paper makes for great shock absorbency, but that won’t do you much good if your belongings aren’t properly packed. Place the heaviest items at the bottom of the box, and make sure each subsequent piece has an inch of cushioning between the next. You might be tempted to stack plates, but they should be packed vertically to prevent cracking in the case of a dropped box. Prop lamps, glasses, and vases upright as well. Try to categorize each box, such as one for kitchen breakables and another for picture frames, to prevent awkward spacing.

4. Cushion All Empty Space

Ideally, your boxes should be totally full but not overflowing. There should be a few inches left over on top. You don’t want to force the box closed and create pressure, so make sure you have plenty of extra boxes so you don’t overstuff them. Fill in any extra space with paper and packing peanuts so nothing is able to move around too much. Turbulence with little cushioning can break fragile pieces easily.

5. Label Your Boxes

No matter how elaborately you secure your belongings, if you don’t indicate fragility, one not-too-careful drop from an unaware mover can spoil all of your efforts. Be sure to label every box with what’s inside, and write or stamp “fragile” clearly and in large font. Specify which side goes up to make the moving process faster and easier for everyone.

 

The security of your belongings is of utmost importance to American Self Storage. With 24/7 monitored storage and controlled access, you can be sure your property is in good hands. You’ll have a variety of pristine storage units to choose from, from climate control options to an assortment of sizes. Visit their website to learn more and find a location near you.

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