When you move, whether you and your friends are the movers or you hire Artisan Movers, there are still items that are at a higher risk of being damaged or broken during a move. It is such a nuisance to arrive at your new home and discover that items have been broken or damaged. Some things can be replaced, but no one wants to replace a perfectly good table, chair or mirror. And what about those items that can’t be replaced? There has to be something you can do to safeguard your possessions.
Good thing you’re here because once you know which items require special attention, you can take the necessary action to make sure that you won’t be mourning the loss of any of your belongings. Here is a list of 10 items that are most likely to get damaged or broken.
1. You
You are subject to loads of stress and muscle strain when packing and moving. To avoid muscle strains, it helps to have the proper equipment. Things like moving straps, a heavy-duty dolly and hand truck, work gloves and more can reduce the amount of work you have to put in to move your things. Remember to lift with your knees and not your back, bend your knees while keeping your back straight to allow your legs to support more of the weight than your back. You can also reduce your stress by planning ahead and doing things little by little. Take time to relax and stay hydrated.
2. Artwork
Placing your artwork in a picture box with adequate padding will increase the likelihood that it will once again be displayed in your home. Canvas needs special care when it is moved and is not something that can be remedied easily. Broken frames are just as big of a nuisance and can often be very costly to repair, particularly ones that require a custom framing job.
3. Plants
Your little green babies. You water them, wipe away the dust, give them plant food… you want them to enjoy your new home too. Plants do wonders for the air in your home as well as for your decor, so you want to take special care when it comes to moving your plants. If you box them, poke a few holes for ventilation and breathing. You can also stop watering them a few days before moving to make them a little lighter. Using plant tape to secure loose branches or stems or bagging them in a secure plastic bag is also a good idea to help keep them safe.
4. Glassware
Glass or ceramic plates and knicknacks are highly susceptible to damage and beaks during a move. It’s best to individually wrap them in packing paper or newspaper. And don’t stack them any old way. Vertically place them layered between packing paper in a “dishpack” box or a heavy duty box that has double thick walls. Any remaining space should be filled with crumpled paper, bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Although there is no need to layer plates with packing paper, you should still wrap them in paper and fill in any remaining space. If you hear your glassware rattling around in the box, you’ve done it wrong, and you should strongly consider reinforcing your packing method.
5. Mirrors
Even if you aren’t superstitious, you still don’t want to have a broken mirror on your hands. Afterall, your mirror makes sure that you go out into the world confident that you don’t have something hanging from your nose. To avoid having to clean up broken mirror shards, pack mirrors individually in picture boxes with plenty of packing around it. If a mirror has no padding between it and the box wall, you are most likely going to be unboxing a broken mirror.
6. Electronics
Electronics are damaged in a move due to poor packing, moisture and static. If you have original boxes for your electronics, pack them in that packaging. If you don’t have the original packing you should take care to use padding such as eco-bubble, packing peanuts, etc. and heavy-duty boxing. Heavy duty boxes stand up to moisture better because they are double corrugated. Be sure to double tape the box on both ends and label it accordingly (FRAGILE, THIS END UP, etc.).
7. Cleaning Supplies
Liquid cleaning supplies are more likely to make a mess, but so can powdered supplies. When packing your cleaning supplies it is a good idea to make sure that spray pumps and hand pumps are locked and screwed on vice grip tight. You should also take care to put them in plastic bags just to be safe. These methods can also be applied to many of your toiletries as well.
8. Lamp Shades
Lamp shades can easily become misshapen or broken during a move. They are an awkward shape, and the larger the shade, the more vulnerable it is. It’s best to wrap it in bubble wrap and to fill the cavity with the packing material of your choice. Be careful with newspaper, as the ink may stain your lamp shade. Never pack anything on top of your lamp shades, not even towels or other soft linens. It helps to label the box “FRAGILE” so that it doesn’t end up at the bottom of a stack of boxes.
9. Large Furniture
Large furniture tends to get scratched and dented because of its size. Maneuvering around corners, down flights of stairs, stacking boxes on top and other instances can leave your large furniture vulnerable to the moving process. You can protect large items by covering them with plastic and padding. There are also special moving supplies like corner bumpers and stair padding that can help reduce the risk of damages.
10. Sporting Equipment
Because they usually take a beating when we use them, we often overlook their fragility in a moving situation. Sport equipment is usually broken because it is often left unprotected or poorly packed. Packing them in their original packaging or doing a little research on the best way to pack and transport these items is a good idea.
Take the proper precautions when you move. Remember, you can always pack or transport certain items yourself, if it puts your mind at ease. And when you choose a moving company, be sure to do the proper research and sign a proper contract that insures the arrival and cost of your move. Moving.com suggests that you invest in the right boxes, box things up correctly and get insurance. Being prepared can take the stress out of moving.