How to Pack Your Valuables When Moving

Packing your moving boxes can be tough in general, but packing your valuables can be particularly challenging. Valuables tend to be fragile and delicate, so there is always the concern that they will get damaged or broken during the moving process. Knowing how to pack your valuables when moving will make all the difference in the longevity of a family heirloom or whether you’ll have to purchase a new set of dishes or whether you’ll inadvertently break a mirror and have to endure seven years of bad luck. There are several factors to consider when packing your moving boxes, and all of them will help your belongings arrive at your new home in one piece. Consider the following tips and you’ll soon be an expert at packing valuable and fragile items.

Choose the Right Kind of Moving Boxes

Knowing how to pack your valuables isn’t going to count for much if you don’t choose the right kind of moving boxes. While people have been using cardboard moving boxes for over a hundred years, these are not the best option. Cardboard moving boxes are not waterproof or sturdy, which are two important qualities required for transporting valuables and fragile items. Even worse are free moving boxes, which already have wear and tear and can be full of allergens, harmful chemicals, and even bedbugs. To provide a sturdy, durable, and waterproof transport for your valuable and fragile belongings, choose reusable plastic moving boxes. Some people opt for plastic totes, which are sturdy and waterproof, but then you’re left with several plastic totes taking up space after your move. The best option is renting moving boxes that are made from industrial strength plastic. These reusable moving boxes can withstand heavyweight, are stackable, and are both waterproof and durable. They come with a bonus, too: reusable moving box companies will deliver and pick up the boxes for you, so you have more time to focus on the rest of the moving process.

Know Your Options for Packing Supplies

Once you’ve chosen the right kind of moving box, you can decide on the options for packing supplies. Typical packing supplies for valuables include bubble wrap and packing paper. When it comes to valuable and fragile items, don’t make the mistake of going the cheap route and using newspaper as packing material, since the ink can stain paintings and can be difficult to scrub off glass surfaces. If you want to be environmentally conscious, choose bubble wrap that is 100% recyclable, like the kind offered by Boxbee, and choose packing paper that is made from recycled paper materials. These two packing supplies are best for wrapping valuables, but using some of your own household materials, such as towels and blankets, can complement these items by adding some extra cushioning.

How to Pack Your Valuables

There are different kinds of valuables and all of them vary in their fragility and require different methods for packing. Packing tools to have on hand are tape, elastics, bubble wrap, packing paper, small to medium-sized boxes, and sturdy, plastic moving boxes. • Picture frames, paintings, and mirrors. Wrap these items with packing paper the way you would wrap a present. Secure the paper with tape. Then wrap the items again using bubble wrap and again secure with tape. Picture frames, paintings, and mirrors should never be laid flat in a moving box, but rather vertically, with lots of padding in between. • Jewelry. Wrap fragile pieces in packing paper. Instead of placing all of your jewelry in one box, where chains can get tangled and gemstones can chip, separate the pieces into smaller boxes or plastic sandwich bags. Secure the boxes with tape or elastics. • Dishes. Heavy and fragile, dishes need to be cushioned with bubble wrap. Dishes can fit within each other, to save on space, but make sure each dish is first layered with bubble wrap. Fill any gaps in the moving box with towels, sheets, blankets, or extra bubble wrap, to prevent the dishes from jostling around during the move and chipping. • Glass figurines. Each glass figurine should be wrapped securely in bubble wrap. Be sure to tape the bubble wrap in place. Never place glass figurines on the bottom of moving boxes, but instead at the top. You can use elastics to further secure the bubble wrap and can also place the figurines in smaller boxes before packing them in the moving box. • Antique furniture. Any furniture that has fragile parts or delicate surfaces should be wrapped in packing paper and then in bubble wrap. An example is an antique lamp, which should also have its cord secured by using elastics. Large pieces of furniture will have to be moved without a box, but smaller pieces can be secured within moving boxes. Just remember to cushion the items by using extra bubble wrap to fill any gaps. The packing tips above combined with durable, plastic moving boxes should get all of your valuable and fragile items to your new location safely and intact.

If You’re Packing for Storage

Packing valuable and fragile items for storage is similar to packing them for a move. With on-demand storage services popping up in cities like San Francisco, it’s never been more convenient to place valuables in storage. If you’re moving to a smaller home or want to free up space in your current residence, an on-demand storage service is a great option. With on-demand storage, you can choose the volume you want to store and can easily schedule pick up and drop off times for your items. Just follow the packing tips for valuables outlined above and your fragile items should be safe and secure while they are in storage. Boxbee is a one-stop service for the types of moving boxes and packing supplies needed for packing valuable and fragile items. Check out our moving box rental packages and moving supplies or reach out if you have any questions.