The Most Common Damaged Items During a Move and How to Properly Pack Them

Packing clothing and other items for a move is stressful enough. Add in valuables, and you have a whole different level of worry to contend with. From flatscreen TVs to picture frames, you want to ensure you’re packing those items correctly and safely, as damaged goods are very  costly.

When you hire professional movers, you get assurances that they will handle your items with care. But accidents can and do happen, and ensuring your stuff stays safe starts with a good packing job. There are some items that are at more risk when in transit, and those include the following.

Flatscreen TVs

Flat screens are one of the most commonly damaged items during a move. They also happen to be most people’s most valued possession. Here’s what to do:

• Securely wrap the TV with a furniture pad.
• Line the bottom of a TV box with packing paper or use the original box if you have it.
• Cover the screen side with cardboard.
• Place in box.
• Tape the box securely.
• Label “FRAGILE.”

Glassware, Dishes, Vases, Ceramics, China

These are time-consuming to pack but the effort is well worth it. The goal is to keep breakables from moving and shifting while in transit.

• Choose a sturdy cardboard box.
• Pack glasses upright and plates vertical.
• Add packing paper to fill all gaps.
• Pack dishes on the bottom of the box, bowls in the middle, glasses on top
• Use partitions for crystal and stemware.

Pack decorative glass and ceramic items separately from the rest of the common plates, bowls and juice glasses. Use lots of packing paper. Be sure to label “FRAGILE.”

Picture Frames and Artwork

• Pack these all vertically, and load them that way too.
• Wrap large picture frames and wall art in furniture pads.
• Cover large surfaces with cardboard.
• Fill gaps with soft items such as clothing or bedding.

Mattresses and Box Springs

You may not realize it, but mattresses and box springs often become damaged during a move. There’s a really good reason for that: no one takes the time to properly pack them – if at all.  Many people just throw them into the truck, cover with a pad and then are surprised to see that they end up dirty and torn.

• Place mattresses and box springs in mattress cartons. They may be expensive but not nearly as much as it costs to replace the mattress and box spring.
• Before you put them in cartons, slip them into mattress bags so they stay clean.
• Don’t tape mattress bags shut, because this traps moisture which can lead to mold, mildew, and odors.
• Don’t wrap mattresses and box springs with shrink wrap, as that also tends to trap moisture.

Wine

Wine has to be packed and stored a certain way to keep its integrity and flavor intact. Always notify your movers that you have a wine collection that needs to be transported. They will know how best to move it without damage. They will also take the necessary preparations to make sure the wine is handled properly at all stages of the relocation.

Your movers will bring special boxes that are meant to protect fragile items from damage. Pack corked wine bottles upside down so the corks don’t dry out.

If packing yourself, you’ll want to pick up a variety of box sizes that can hold anything from one to six to 12 bottles at once. Special wine packing boxes will have Styrofoam dividers that keep the bottles snug so they don’t bump against one another. If you want to save cash, just pick up some standard cardboard cell boxes with dividers to separate each bottle, which are free from most liquor stores. Secure the bottom of the box with packing tape or line it with a piece of stiff cardboard.

Wrap each bottle before placing it in the box.

1. Position packing paper on a flat work surface.
2. Make sure the caps and corks of all opened bottles are tight.
3. Placing a bottle on its side, make sure it is perpendicular to the corner of the top sheet.
4. Wrap a couple sheets around the bottle and proceed to roll it, tucking the ends of the paper as you go.
5. Secure with tape.

Place each bottle inside the box, adding paper to the bottom as necessary. When you have filled the box, shake it gently to listen for the sounds of clinking. If you hear nothing, you’ve done an adequate job. If you still hear noises, add more padding, says the Spruce. Tape the box and mark as “Fragile” on every side.

What to Do Before Moving a Valuable Collection

It’s a good idea to take photos of all valuable items, whether due to monetary or sentimental value. Create an inventory of your art collection, for example, and jot down the name of every piece, who created it, the year of creation and its estimated value. You may want to get an expert appraisal of your collection to have a better idea of value.

Print out all photos you take and label them with name and date, which will display the current condition before the move. If it gets damaged in any way, you can show the insurance company and movers the difference and it will be clear you were not at fault. Be sure to snap up-close and wide shot photos from all angles.

Contact Luke’s Moving

Contact us in Hurst TX if you would like a free quote on your upcoming move involving fragile items. If you don’t want to pack your own items, no worries: we are also professional packers! We will arrive with all the proper supplies to safely secure and load your most valuable items.