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Packing and Storage Tips for Fragile Items

A person is putting fragile tape on a cardboard box.

When moving or simply rearranging your home, most of the items you pack are easy to care for. You simply arrange items from large to small in a box, label it, then set it aside and move on to the next task.

Fragile items, such as collectibles, dishes, and vases are another packing story. You have to take special care to ensure breakables remains intact while packing, in transit, and finally, are placed in more permanent care in a storage facility.

This guide shows you how to pack delicate and fragile belongings professionally. You will also learn travel and storage tips so that your fragile items remain secure.

Packing

Each item should be individually wrapped in bubble wrap, newspaper, or packing paper then secured with packing tape. Place each packed item in a box lined with bubble wrap or filled with packing peanuts. In a pinch, non-buttered popcorn can work as filler.

Only place breakable items in a box that you can easily carry when full, as a box that is too heavy can fall apart while moving, or be too difficult to move on your own. Any air or open space left in packing boxes should be filled with balled up newspaper or other type of packing filler to prevent movement while in transit.

Transporting

As long as you have each box filled tightly with carefully wrapped breakables, transportation should be simple. Before placing packed boxes of fragile items in your car, give each container a small shake to test for movement. You should hear and feel nothing within the boxes, ensuring each item is tightly secured and ready to travel.

Place boxes on the floor of your car or in the bottom of your trunk to prevent them falling over when you turn corners or come to a halt. Do not stack boxes on top of one another; it's better to take multiple trips to the storage unit than risk damaging fragile plates or other items by placing boxes on top of each other.

If some of your packing boxes are small, you can line them next to one another on the seats of your car, securing them in place with a seat belt. Make sure the boxes are tall enough to be supported by the shoulder strap of your vehicle's seat belts.

Storage

A simple rule for storing items is that items you won't access anytime soon go in the back of the unit while breakables you will retrieve sooner go in the front. Another option is to rent a storage unit that is larger than you need so you can simply line up items along either wall with a pathway in the middle. This method of organization allows for easier access to everything you have in storage.

Do not stack breakable items on top of one another as boxes may crush one another or tip over. Invest in a shelving unit for stacking boxes on instead. If space is an issue, rent two units side-by-side or opt for a larger unit.

Some fragile items are temperature-sensitive, including original artwork and photos. Ask your storage unit representative for a climate-controlled unit so you can keep your items safe.

As long as you pack your fragile belongings responsibly, you should have little issue transporting them to your storage unit and leaving them there for as long as you need to. Choose a storage facility that has constant surveillance and other types of security so that you know your belongings are safe from accidental damage or theft.

All Secure Storage is able to meet all your self-storage needs. Contact our facility today to discuss the type of unit you need and any packing or storing concerns you have.

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A person is using a tape dispenser to tape a box in a warehouse.