Table of Contents:
How to Pack Fragile Items for Moving in Ottawa?
What are the Best Packing Supplies for Fragile Items?
Tips for Packing Fragile Items For Moving
Packing Fragile Kitchen Items for Moving
How to Pack Fragile Glass Items for Moving?
Packing Other Delicate Items for Moving
How do professional movers pack fragile items safely?
How to Pack Fragile Items for Moving in Ottawa?
Moving in Ottawa is challenging in both summer and winter. And especially in winter, when the weather is so unpredictable, packing fragile items for moving is even tougher. Whether you’re relocating your home or planning an office or commercial move, it’s important to know how to pack fragile items for moving for a stress-free move. All the best moving companies in Ottawa emphasize the importance of using sturdy packing materials and plenty of padding to keep fragile and breakable items safe.
For example, Classic Movers, one of the best moving companies in Ottawa, notes that “fragile items need special care.” This guide will show you how to pack fragile items like dishes, glasses, electronics, etc., so you don’t have to worry about them breaking.
Tips for Packing Fragile Items For Moving in Ottawa
It’s hard to know what the weather will be like in Ottawa, so plan your move ahead of time. Fragile items can break in both extreme cold and hot weather. You’ll need to keep glass, china, art, electronics, and appliances warm because they’re very temperature-sensitive. The best Ottawa movers say to wrap these items up and let them acclimate to room temperature before moving them. In short, packing of fragile items for moving needs the same care and attention in both summer and winter. You should also add an extra layer of protection or get professional packing service from best Ottawa movers.
What are the Best Packing Supplies for Fragile Items
When you plan to move to Ottawa, the first thing you should do is get good packing supplies for breakable items. The best Ottawa movers say that these are the best packing materials for moving fragile items.
1. Strong moving boxes:
When you pack, always use new, sturdy boxes. Don’t rent used boxes, but use double-walled cardboard boxes to pack items that are easy to break. Get small or medium-sized boxes instead of large ones because heavy items, like stacks of dishes, can get too heavy.
2. Speciality boxes:
The best packing supplies for kitchenware are speciality boxes because they have dividers or separators. Use dish packing boxes with dividers to keep your plates and glasses from falling out while you pack. Place mirrors and pictures in mirror/picture boxes with corner protectors, or place them between two pieces of cardboard.
3. Padding materials:
To pack fragile items, you’ll need packing peanuts, bubble wrap, packing paper, and foam sheets. These are important because they protect fragile items and keep everything in place. Experts say you should put plenty of padding, like bubble wrap, around each fragile item.
4. Packing tape and labels:
Use wide, strong packing tape to make sure the boxes are sealed tightly. Clearly mark each box as “fragile” and write what’s inside and which end is “up” with a marker or waterproof labels. Experts like Classic Movers say you should write on the boxes what they contain so your local Ottawa movers are extra careful.
5. Moving blankets and bubble sheets:
Furniture blankets or stretchy bubble sheets are great for moving heavy items or adding extra insulation. You can use these materials for packing fragile items like glass tabletops, electronics, or lamps that have been insulated to protect them from bumps and extreme weather.
Many moving and storage companies in Ottawa sell or rent these packing supplies, and many of them even offer to pack everything for you. Classic Movers is a full moving service company that can even bring the packing supplies you need to your door, so you don’t have to go to the store. Learn more why should you opt for storage units with classic movers here.
Step-by-Step: Packing Fragile Kitchen Items for Moving
The kitchen is the hardest room to pack when moving because it is full of breakables and fragile items that include dishes, wine glasses, ceramic mugs, and more. If you are looking for how to pack fragile kitchen items for moving, simply follow these steps for a worry-free kitchen pack:
1. Prepare each box
First, put 2 to 3 inches of padding on the bottom of each box so that you don’t feel the bottom when you push it down. This will prevent the bottom boxes from collapsing. Next, add a cardboard divider shelf if you have one.
2. Wrap every piece individually
Wrap each plate, bowl, or glass in packing paper or bubble wrap. Place plates and bowls on their sides instead of laying them flat. This reduces the chance of the edges breaking. Wrap the stems of the wine glasses or stemware, and then wrap the entire glass. Place the stems down in the box upright.
3. Pack the box layer by layer
Place your heaviest wrapped items, such as a stack of dishes, at the bottom of the boxes side by side. To keep things from moving, fill the gaps with shredded paper or peanuts. Next, add a layer of padding and another layer of cardboard divider shelf. Then, stack the next set of plates or bowls on top of the first set, again vertically. Continue adding layers until the box is about three-quarters full. If you have multiple shelf dividers, use them as you add more tiers.
4. Cushion the top and seal
Add a final layer of padding over the top items so the box is fully cushioned. You should be able to lift the box without it being too heavy. Close the flaps and use strong packing tape to seal the box. On each side, write “Fragile – Kitchen” and draw an arrow pointing “This Side Up.” This tells Ottawa movers what to do with the box and ensures they do it correctly.
How to Pack Fragile Glass Items for Moving?
Packing of glass items for moving needs special attention whether they are kitchen items or artwork or any other decoration pieces. Incorporate these tips in your Ottawa moving checklist for a stress-free move.
- Place each piece of glass in its own box with other glass pieces that are the same size and not too heavy.
- Place them upright in the box and lock them in place.
- Add dividers or separators to give each piece of glass its own “compartment,” such as cardboard sliding partitions.
- Wrap paper or foam vertically around the glasses to prevent them from tipping over.
- Place heavier items at the bottom of each box and lighter items on top to prevent them from breaking.
- Keep in mind that each glass should fit snugly.
- Before sealing the box, shake it gently to see if anything inside moves. If you hear a bang, add more padding between the glass items.
If you are short on time, get packing service from professional movers.
Packing Other Delicate Items for Moving
For anything that is breakable, the rule is simple. Label it, wrap it, cushion it, and stuff it. Make sure each box is full and there are no empty spaces. Things can still wobble even when you hire professional movers in Ottawa. So keep in mind that space is the enemy of fragile items.
Artwork and Mirrors:
Art and mirrors: To protect glass in frames from breaking, apply painters tape in an “X” shape to them. Then, put the item in a picture or mirror box and cover it completely with bubble wrap. Add cardboard corner protectors to make things even safer. When you move mirrors and paintings, always keep them upright, not flat. This will help the glass last longer.
Electronics (TVs, Monitors, Computers):
Use the original boxes for electronics like TVs, monitors, and computers if you have them. If not, choose a box just slightly larger than the device, line it with foam or bubble wrap, and wrap the device carefully. Keep the cords separate so they don’t get tangled. You can either label them or use zip ties to tie them together.
Lamps and Light Fixtures:
Remove the shades and bases from lamps. Wrap each piece separately in bubble wrap and place them in the same box or in different boxes. Place the shade upside down on a cushion of paper.
Antiques and Heirlooms:
When you are packing fragile items for moving, you need to be extra careful with antiques and heirlooms. Disassemble things like cabinets and protect each piece by wrapping it in a few layers of padding. Add foam or padded blankets around any areas that are dented or stuck. It’s worth the extra bubble wrap and care to protect your fragile antiques so you don’t have to deal with heartbreak on moving day.
How do professional movers pack fragile items safely?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re moving your home or office. The principles for packing fragile items for moving are the same. Home moves will require extra care for packing fragile items like dishes, artwork and decorations. While office or business relocations involve moving computers, servers, display cases, or sensitive equipment. In either case, professional movers and packers can help. For example, professional office movers will separate and pack computers and lab tools, adding padding as needed to keep them safe and prevent damage and downtime.
Ottawa’s best moving companies typically offer both residential and commercial moving services as well as packing services. A full moving service company can pack all of your belongings, from kitchenware to electronics to office file cabinets, using best methods for packing fragile items. For example, Classic Movers team uses “high-quality packing supplies and materials and methods to protect fragile or valuable items from artwork, glass and computer hardware. If you’re short on time or have a lot of fragile items to move, hire the professional movers for a stress-free relocation. See our guide on how much does it cost to hire Ottawa movers to get a reliable moving quote.
Lastly, while planning your Ottawa move, it’s also important to consider how you’ll move and store your belongings. Most Ottawa movers have storage units where they can keep your packed boxes safe and at the right temperature until your new home is ready. So, consider the benefits of taking moving and storage service for your fragile items and seek help from professional movers in Ottawa.
Final Thoughts
Packing fragile items for moving takes a lot of effort, but it’s worth it to make the move go smoothly. You won’t have to worry if you follow these tips for moving fragile items. If you’re not sure, you can hire professional Ottawa movers to do the heavy lifting for your home or office move. Many people who own homes and businesses say that hiring a full moving service like Classic Movers saves them time and stress because the professionals will handle everything from packing fragile items to moving and storage.
FAQs
1. What is the best packing material for fragile items?
The best packing material for fragile items is bubble wrap, packing paper, foam sheets, and double-walled moving boxes. The packing paper prevents things from getting scratched, the bubble wrap adds cushioning, and the foam makes things stiff. They’re the best way to wrap things that are easy to break. Professional movers in Ottawa say that if you’re planning long distance moving in the winter, you should use double-walled moving boxes to pack breakable items or dish packing boxes with built-in dividers to pack fragile kitchen items and glassware.
2. How to pack fragile items for moving without bubble wrap?
You can still safely pack fragile items without bubble wrap by using packing paper, soft cloths, foam sheets, towels, or even sweaters. Wrap each item in thick layers of packing paper, then place each fragile item in a sturdy box with a layer of paper or towels inside. Then. Fill in all the gaps so that fragile items cannot be moved. This is the most important step when packing fragile items for moving. Classic Movers recommend that if you don’t have bubble wrap, you should put fragile items in two boxes.
3. Is bubble wrap or paper better for packing?
Yes, bubble wrap is the best way to protect fragile items because it absorbs shock and protects them from bumps while moving. Packing paper is better for protecting surfaces, and protecting things from scratches. When moving, professional movers use both of these methods to pack fragile items for moving. This two-layer method is what the best moving companies do.
4. Which is the hardest room to pack when moving?
The kitchen is by far the most difficult room to pack because it contains the most fragile items, such as glassware, dishes, mugs, ceramic bowls, wine glasses, small appliances, and things that don’t fit in a box. Packing fragile kitchen items for moving requires more time, the right materials, dividers, and patience. You can make it easy by hiring professional Ottawa movers to get the things done for you.
5. When should I consider hiring professional packing service for fragile items?
If you don’t have good packing supplies for fragile items, or you’re moving in the winter when icy conditions increase the chance of breakage, and you’re short on time and need a quick, efficient packing, moving, and storage service, you should consider hiring professional movers. Classic Movers being one of the best Ottawa movers can help you with all types of moves, from packing service to residential and commercial moving. They can pack, move, and even offer moving and storage options if your new space isn’t ready.