How to Pack Fragile Items Properly
On most moves, things don’t break in the truck — they break inside a badly packed box. A glass resting against another glass, a plate laid flat, a box that caves in when another is stacked on top: these are the usual culprits. In this guide we show you how to get packing fragile items for a move right, using the same techniques our team uses every day.
What’s the right way to pack fragile items?
Wrap every item individually in packing paper or bubble wrap, fill the bottom of the box and every gap with scrunched-up paper, and stand plates on their edge, as if in a dish rack. Use small, sturdy boxes, keep each one under 15 kg, write “FRAGILE” on it and draw an arrow showing which way is up.
The materials you’ll need
Good packing starts with the right materials. Don’t skimp here — a set of glasses costs more than a roll of bubble wrap.
- Small and medium double-walled boxes. Large boxes get too heavy and give way at the bottom.
- Packing paper. Clean and ink-free — newspaper stains plates and porcelain.
- Bubble wrap. For anything with delicate parts: stemmed glasses, picture frames, ornaments.
- Good-quality packing tape and a tape gun to speed things up.
- Cardboard dividers for glasses and bottles.
- A marker pen to label two sides of every box.
If you’d rather not hunt for materials, we can deliver them to your door — or take care of packing your fragile items entirely.
Plates: always on their edge
The most common mistake is stacking plates flat on top of each other. When the box is jolted or something presses down on it, the weight lands on the centre of each plate and it cracks. Plates are far stronger standing on their rim.
- Line the bottom of the box with 5–8 cm of scrunched-up paper.
- Wrap each plate separately in two or three sheets of paper.
- Group three or four wrapped plates together and wrap them again as a bundle.
- Stand them upright, as you would in a dish rack.
- Fill every gap with paper so nothing shifts when you move the box.
Glasses and stemware
Glasses go in upside down, rim first, ideally in a box with dividers. Stuff a little paper inside each glass and wrap it on the outside. For wine glasses, wrap the stem in a strip of bubble wrap first — that’s where they usually snap. Always put glasses in the top layer of the box, above sturdier items.
Mirrors, picture frames and glass panels
Tape a large “X” across the glass: if it breaks, the pieces stay in place. Protect the corners with cardboard corner guards or folded card and wrap the whole thing in bubble wrap. Mirrors and frames always travel upright, never flat, ideally in a dedicated mirror box.
TVs and monitors
If you kept the original packaging, use it — nothing protects better. If not, wrap the screen in a blanket or foam and then in stretch film, without putting pressure on the screen itself. Flat-screen TVs travel upright. Take off the stand and tape the screws in a small bag to the back.
Bottles, jars and liquids
Close every lid tightly, with a piece of cling film underneath for a proper seal. Open bottles of oil and cleaning products are best taken in your own car. Fill vases with paper on the inside and wrap them in bubble wrap on the outside.
The 6 most common mistakes when packing fragile items
- Large boxes full of plates. They get far too heavy and split.
- Gaps inside the box. Anything that moves, knocks.
- Newspaper on porcelain. The ink leaves marks.
- Fragile items mixed with heavy ones. A pan on top of glasses is guaranteed damage.
- Poor labelling. If the team doesn’t know a box is fragile, they can’t handle it with extra care.
- Boxes that bulge when closed. The lid must close flat so another box can be stacked on top.
How to check a box is packed properly
Close the box and give it a gentle shake. If you can hear anything moving, open it and add more paper. Lift it: if it’s a struggle, it’s too heavy and should be split into two. Finally, make sure the label can be seen from at least two sides.
Fragile items, insurance and liability
It’s worth knowing that many transport insurance policies treat items packed by the customer differently: if the box shows no outside damage but the contents are broken, the cover may not apply. That’s why, for valuable items, professional packing isn’t a luxury. Read more in our guide to moving insurance.
How many boxes do I need for fragile items?
For a two-bedroom flat you’ll usually need eight to twelve small or medium boxes just for the kitchen and fragile items. Allow one small box for about 15–20 plates, one divided box for every 12–16 glasses, and separate boxes for vases, ornaments and frames.
It’s better to have two or three boxes too many than to overfill the ones you have. Any left over will come in handy for storage in your new home.
Padding you already have at home
You don’t need to buy mountains of bubble wrap. Plenty of things around the house make excellent padding — and they have to be moved anyway:
- Towels and tea towels to fill the gaps between pots and bowls.
- Socks to wrap small glasses and cups.
- Pillowcases and sheets to protect frames and mirrors.
- Blankets for screens and small furniture.
Just avoid using clothes you’ll want to wear in the first few days — otherwise you’ll have to unpack the kitchen to find them.
Unpacking without breakages
Fragile items are at risk when you unpack, too. Open each box on a table, not on the floor, and unwrap every piece over the box, so if it slips it lands on soft paper. Don’t throw the packing paper away until you’re sure it isn’t hiding something small, like a lid or a teaspoon. If you find any damage, photograph it together with the box before moving anything.
Leave the fragile items to us
If you’d rather not take the risk, our team can pack just the kitchen and fragile items while you handle the rest. For valuable or delicate pieces such as artwork and antiques, see our special item moves. For a first idea of the cost including packing, try our quick cost estimate. For the final price, ask for a free quote.
