Finding a new home and shopping for it is an exciting and sentimental process that takes years to come together. This makes it crucial to pack your belongings securely before moving.
We all spend countless hours and sometimes even years collecting items that make our house feel like a home. Due to this, moving long distances can easily become daunting. Working with a top long distance moving company can solve transportation needs, but packing these items securely and carefully is still vital.
Whether it’s the precious flower vases or pristine dinnerware made with delicate porcelain, inadequate packing can cause damage like scratches, chipping, and, in worst cases, breakage.
To avoid these heartbreaking situations, here are the items you need to be extra cautious with while packing:
Table of Contents
Glassware and ceramics
It goes without saying that glassware and ceramics are incredibly fragile and must be packed tightly with ample cushioning. You can also consider placing a moderately thick paper towel between plates and bowls as you stack them together.
Ensure there are no gaps, as they can cause plates and bowls to shift from their original position. If needed, bubble wrap or packing peanuts should be used to fill this space. The spoons or spatulas should be placed in a snug-fitting arrangement to prevent them from clashing with your glassware.
Antique furniture
We all have an old furniture piece that was affectionately gifted by our loved ones. These items hold incredible sentimental value, making it important to pack and store them properly during a move.
Moreover, as these pieces of furniture are usually decades old, they need to be handled with even more care and consideration. You can opt for storage containers from brands like PODS exclusively to pack these pieces until everything has settled and you are ready to take them out.
During packing, make sure you use a good amount of cardboard cushioning. You can also consider using bubble wrap while focusing on things that are getting older with time and need more protection.
Artworks
If you often paint, you know how heart-wrenching it can be to see your artwork getting damaged during the move. The same goes for those who have spent years collecting specific artworks that instantly enhance the aesthetics of their homes.
Pack them in bubble wrap to ensure that you are safely moving them and preventing damage. Consider placing kitchen towels or wrapping paper on the artwork to avoid scratches or paint transfer due to friction. Then, use a masking tape to hold the wrapping paper in place. Tape the item properly to add better reinforcement once you are done covering the item with bubble wrap.
Appliances
Appliances are pricey, and there’s always a possibility that you will not be able to repair them in case of damage. This makes it crucial to put them in sturdy packaging containers to withstand the turbulence experienced during moving.
While you can consider saving the boxes they come in for packing, they may eventually clutter your home. A quick hack to safely pack your bigger appliances is to cover them in bubble wrap with a cardboard layering on all sizes. Meanwhile, you can place smaller appliances between clothes for extra protection and cushioning. To avoid losing chargers and adapters, pack them with the appliance.
Musical instruments
Packing musical instruments and transporting them safely can be tricky as they are delicate, and even minor damage can cause them to lose their functionality and charm. Make sure that you are using the cases they came in.
Add extra padding using foam or bubble wrap as you pack, and ensure you secure everything with thick adhesive tapes. Getting to these at the end of the moving process is a good idea to prevent them from getting squished among other belongings.
Beverage bottles
Moving beverage bottles is easier said than done as they risk breaking, resulting in leaks and spillage. While most of these bottles come in sturdy and robust packaging, you can consider wrapping your old clothes like towels, sweatshirts, or t-shirts around them for extra protection. Ensure that the storage container being used for them has a label marked fragile and is tightly packed for security. Using packaging peanuts or other filler materials is a must.
Plants
Plants add to the aesthetics of a house and are the ideal touch of green any home can benefit from. While moving, either choose to move your plants first or at the last when you have ample time to set them up.
Remember to pack them in cardboard boxes while keeping the top open. Avoid packing them with plastic, as they can suffocate the plant.
Also, make sure that you are taking temperature into consideration. For the summers, early mornings or late evenings are ideal. Meanwhile, for winter, afternoon time is the best. Your plants will need time to adjust to the new home, so make sure you are not rushing the process.
Strategic packing to prevent unpacking nightmares
We all love the purchases we make for our home, whether they are big or small. Moreover, there are bound to be a lot of additions to our homes that carry sentimental value for us because either they were passed down to us or were brought after months of savings and consideration. Making sure you are cautious and careful as you pack your precious belongings will eventually translate to a smoother, hassle-free unpacking experience.
