Broken dishes are the cliché of moving for a reason — fragile items take the most damage when they're packed poorly. The good news is that with the right materials and a little technique, your fragile items can survive a move across Hagerstown or across the country without a scratch. Here's how to do it.
Gather the right materials first
Don't try to pack fragile items in whatever boxes you have lying around. You'll want:
- Dish barrels — double-walled boxes made specifically for kitchen fragile.
- Sturdy small boxes for glassware and collectibles.
- Packing paper (unprinted) for wrapping.
- Bubble wrap for especially delicate items.
- Packing tape — the real kind, not masking tape.
- Markers for labeling "FRAGILE" and the room.
Packing dishes and plates
The single biggest mistake people make is stacking plates flat. They absorb far more shock standing up:
- Cushion the bottom of the dish barrel with a layer of crumpled paper.
- Wrap each plate individually in packing paper.
- Stand plates vertically in the box, edge-up, like records in a crate.
- Fill gaps with crumpled paper so nothing shifts.
- Top with another cushion layer, then tape the box closed firmly and label it FRAGILE.
Bowls and saucers go in the same box, stacked vertically with paper between each.
Glassware and cups
- Wrap each glass in paper, then bundle two or three together with another sheet.
- Use cell boxes (the ones with cardboard dividers) for stemware if you have it.
- Pack heavier glassware on the bottom and lighter, more delicate pieces on top.
- Don't let glass touch glass — always a layer of paper between.
Artwork and mirrors
- Tape an "X" across glass with painter's tape to keep it from shattering if it cracks.
- Wrap the piece in bubble wrap, then slide it into a picture/mirror box.
- Pad the corners — they take the most impact.
- Never lay artwork flat in the truck; stand it upright and secure it.
Electronics
- Take a photo of the wiring before you disconnect anything.
- Use the original boxes if you still have them.
- If not, wrap in anti-static bubble wrap and pack in a sturdy box with foam or paper fill.
- Remove batteries from devices to prevent leaks.
- Keep remotes and cables in a labeled bag taped to the device.
A few universal rules
- Don't overpack heavy boxes. A box of dishes gets heavy fast — keep it manageable.
- Shake test. If you hear clinking, add more paper.
- Label clearly. "FRAGILE — KITCHEN" tells the crew to handle with care and where it goes.
- Pack snug. Items that can't move can't break.
Or let us do it
If packing fragile items sounds like more than you want to take on, our packing and unpacking service uses professional dish barrels, bubble wrap, and wardrobe cartons, and our crew packs fragile items every day. You can have us pack just the kitchen and fragile items while you handle the rest — a popular middle ground.
However you pack, the goal is the same: open the box at your new home and find everything in one piece. Call us or request a free quote and we'll help you decide how much packing you want to handle and how much you'd like us to take on.
