Challenges of packing fragile items for storage

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It goes without saying that packing any type of item is not an easy feat. You have to make sure that whatever you’re packing is fully protected, and that risk of damage is completely removed. This becomes an even bigger challenge when dealing with fragile items. Safety becomes an even bigger focal point in this case, as the items in question are especially delicate. Although packing fragile items for storage may seem daunting, we assure you that it isn’t as bad as it seems. Our team of movers and packers Seattle has years of experience in the field and is more than happy to share their secrets with you. In this text, we will take a look at some of the common challenges of packing breakable items. In addition, we’ll go over the most effective ways to overcome said challenges. With our help, you’ll pack like a pro in no time!

Time is of the essence, but don’t rush the process!

One of the most common mistakes people make is a miscalculation of how much time they need to pack everything. At first, it may seem like packing your fragile items for storage won’t take longer than one afternoon. Perhaps one day, worst-case scenario. This mentality often makes people leave the packing process for the very last day before they have to take everything to Newcastle storage. But once they get a better look at just how much work there is, panic sets in.

A woman is labeling a cardboard box after packing fragile items for storage.
Fragile items require a lot of care and attention!

All fragile items need extra attention when packing, to ensure that they’re perfectly safe and that nothing is overlooked. If you rush the process, you may miss important details, and end up doing a sloppy job. To counter this, we advise making a detailed packing checklist and starting as early as possible. This way, you will ensure that everything is packed to perfection and that nothing is overlooked.

The success of packing fragile items for storage depends on your choice of materials

Even if you plan everything out, success isn’t a guarantee unless you have quality packing materials for the job. For example, you may spend quite some time carefully stacking your fine china in a box, making sure to wrap every plate individually. But, this won’t be of much use if the box you used rips open the moment you lift it up. With that said, your choice of packing materials is just as important as your choice of a storage unit. Even though your items will sit in a storage unit, you still need to maximize their safety. With quality packing supplies, you can protect your items from dirt, debris, and other external factors. To ensure your items are perfectly safe, you will need:

  • Strong and durable moving boxes Seattle offers for sale.
  • Specialized frame boxes with corrugated supports, if you have mirrors or paintings.
  • Packing peanuts or styrofoam blocks for added cushioning.
  • Cling wrap or stretch tape.
  • Durable packing tape for sealing boxes.

Once you arm yourself with a good arsenal of packing supplies, the safety of your fragile items is guaranteed. However, you can’t be stingy when it comes to quality. Even if you have good materials, you need to make sure you have enough of them for your items. If you run out of boxes in the middle of your operation, packing fragile items for storage may become troublesome.

A couple is packing fragile items for storage
A good choice of packing materials is very important

You can easily overcome this challenge by having a surplus of packing supplies. Even if you don’t use up all of your materials, you’ll surely find an alternative use for them. Alternatively, you can just recycle excess packaging supplies. This is certainly a much better option than making pesky resupply trips to the store.

Safely packing fragile items is important, but don’t overdo it!

When it comes to fragile items, one of their biggest enemies is pressure. Sometimes, even the smallest amount of pressure is more than enough to chip, dent, or shatter certain delicate items.  The best way to prevent this is to wrap your items in protective materials, thus keeping them safe. But, did you know your items are vulnerable to pressure even when they’re packed?

Packing too many items in one box, or wrapping them too tightly produces a lot of pressure which constricts the item. Because of this, Washington movers advise always leaving a bit of wiggle room in your boxes. In addition, when wrapping your breakables for storage, try not to overdo it. There is a big difference between packing a box tight, and dangerously super tight. When you leave a bit of breathing room for both your packing materials as well as your items, nothing can go wrong!

storage box symbol signifying fragile items
Simplify packing fragile items for storage with handy labels!

Finding specific items in a storage unit doesn’t have to be a challenge with proper labeling

You’ve finally finished packing. All of your items are safely tucked away in self storage Seattle, and you don’t have to worry about their safety. At this point, you might think everything is fine. And, you’d be absolutely right. Until the time comes to retrieve something from your storage unit. You know what you need, but you’re not entirely sure where you put it down.

If you find yourself in this situation, get ready to spend quite some time digging through random boxes. To work around this problem, make sure to label every single box once you finish packing fragile items for storage. For starters, mark every box as fragile, to alert anyone else who may handle your boxes. Then, write down a brief description of the box’s contents. This way, you’ll remain organized at all times, and navigating through your storage unit will be a piece of cake!

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