You made the decision to move, and now you’re getting ready to get everything you love safely to your new home (once you’ve decluttered, that is).
You’re most likely not worried about random knick-knacks or a $2 bowl from your local big-box store getting damaged or broken. Instead, you’re focused on protecting items like your grandmother’s hope chest or an expensive computer monitor.
The emotional toll isn’t your only concern. Broken items also cost you hard-earned cash. Replacing appliances, electronics, and furniture can quickly ruin your budget. Worst of all, you can’t replace your most sentimental items.
But don’t worry, that’s what we’ve created this guide for. We’ll explain exactly which items are most likely to get damaged during a move, and provide practical tips to help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Why Items Get Damaged During Long-Distance Moves
When a moving truck or shipping pod hits the road, potholes, speed bumps, and sudden braking can all cause items to shift — sometimes violently. That’s why items often end up scratched, dented, or even broken. Combine this constant movement with poor packing or tough environmental conditions, and it’s easy to see why items can get damaged during long-distance moves.
Poor packing
Poor packing only makes fragile items even more vulnerable. If you leave empty space in boxes, anything inside can tip over or smash into each other.
“Avoid using sticky notes [as labels] — they tend to fall off. You should also indicate which side is up, since this prevents you or your movers from accidentally flipping the box upside down.”
Using old newspapers instead of proper packing materials, such as bubble wrap, can also leave stains on valuable items if you’re not careful. Likewise, you need to load your truck with tie-down straps. If you don’t, you’re creating even more opportunities for fragile items to shift and break.
Environmental factors
Not only is the interior of a box important to consider, but environmental factors add another layer of risk. Here are some of the common hazards your items might face on a long-distance move:
- Moisture: When it comes to moving books, electronics, and photographs, moisture is the enemy and can quickly ruin delicate items.
- Extreme heat: Extreme heat can warp wood, causing permanent damage to your favorite furniture pieces if they aren’t protected.
- Freezing and thawing: On the other hand, repeated freezing and thawing can cause some materials to crack, leaving them permanently weakened.
- Vibrations: Plus, you have to account for the vibrations of the moving truck, which put additional stress on fragile belongings.
Thankfully, even if you can’t foresee exactly what kind of weather or environment your items will experience during a long-distance move, you can mitigate the risks. The right packing plan keeps your belongings intact in all types of conditions.
The Most Commonly Damaged Items
Some items are especially prone to getting damaged during a long-distance move. Here are the most common types of those items, along with what makes each one so delicate.
- Dishes and glassware: Plates, bowls, mugs, and glasses are thin and brittle. It’s also common for people to pack them too tightly or use the wrong type of box. This can lead to chips, cracks, or shattering.
- Mirrors: Large, flat surfaces are prone to cracking, especially if you don’t use padding. Damage can also occur if you place an object on top of your mirror, which puts too much pressure on the surface. And a broken mirror isn’t just bad luck — it’s expensive to replace and can leave dangerous shards of glass behind.
- Mattresses: If you don’t use a protective bag, your mattress can easily get caught on sharp edges and tear. Uncovered mattresses may also pick up mud, water, or dirt during the move, which can lead to permanent stains, unpleasant odors, or even mold and mildew, making it unsafe to sleep on.
- Artwork: Canvases and wooden frames are especially vulnerable to moisture. If you don’t wrap them carefully, they can warp or tear. And once artwork is damaged, it typically can’t be repaired.
- Electronics: Computers, televisions, and gaming consoles have internal components that can crack due to heavy vibrations. Moisture is also a problem, as it can cause corrosion or short circuits, making your expensive device an unusable one.
- Appliances: Despite their size, appliances aren’t as sturdy as you might think. For example, fridges have thin outer panels that may look sleek, but they dent easily, and the internal cooling liquids need to be kept level. Many other appliances have complex electrical components that are vulnerable to moisture and vibration.
- Wooden furniture: Jostling wood furniture can damage the joints, which affects structural integrity, and scratches and snapped legs are also common problems. Even one broken leg can make a dresser or table unusable. Moisture is also an issue with wood, and it can cause serious warping given enough humidity and time.
- Lamps and lampshades: These items have awkward shapes, so they’re more difficult to pack. Some shades are also made out of stained glass or other breakable materials, and even one small jolt can cause them to crack, taking away from the appearance of the lamp.
How to Pack Fragile Items for a Long-Distance Move
Even though certain items are more prone to damage, you can keep them safe by packing them carefully and correctly. Here’s a plan to get you started:
Dishes and glassware
Wrap each piece individually with packing paper. When placing these items in boxes, use packing peanuts or bubble wrap to prevent them from bumping into each other. We recommend using specialty boxes for wineglasses and mugs. Check out our guide How to Pack Fragile Glass and Dishpacks for in-depth instruction.
Mirrors
Use a mirror box to prevent cracks. Alternatively, you can sandwich a mirror between two pieces of cardboard. Wrap the mirror with a moving blanket for an extra layer of protection. And don’t forget to protect the corners with pieces of cardboard or extra cushioning! They’re especially prone to breakage.
Mattresses
The best way to protect a mattress for a move is to slip it into a cover and seal the ends with packing tape so dirt or moisture can’t get inside. When loading and unloading, always lift the mattress instead of dragging it on the ground, which causes rips and tears.
Artwork
Instead of stacking canvases flat, stand them upright. Use acid-free paper to wrap paintings and other works of art. If you’re an artist packing up your own work, check out our guide on how to pack your art supplies.
Electronics
Remove cables, memory cards, and other external components. For each item, use a double-walled box made of corrugated cardboard. The box should be slightly larger than the item. This prevents shifting while giving you enough room for bubble wrap. Finally, you should add moisture absorbers to each box to prevent moisture-related damage.
Appliances
For items such as ovens and refrigerators, tape doors closed and drain the water lines (if applicable). Use padding around knobs or handles, since these can easily break off or hit other items during transit.
Wooden furniture
Use corner protectors to prevent chips and scratches on the parts most likely to get damaged. Then, cover each piece with a moving blanket to prevent scratches or other dings.
Lamps and lampshades
Before packing, remove all detachable parts. Separate the shade from the base, then wrap the bulb securely in bubble wrap and place other small parts, like finials or harps, in a resealable bag. If you don’t have a lamp box, use a moving blanket to protect the base.
Choosing the Right Packing Materials
Whether you’re packing a family heirloom or an expensive gaming system, the right materials make all the difference. Before you start packing, gather these supplies:
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper or foam peanuts
- Moving blankets
- Sturdy boxes
Label Fragile Items to Ensure Safe Handling
Make things easier by labeling all fragile items. You can write “FRAGILE” on boxes with a permanent marker or attach pre-made labels. Avoid using sticky notes — they tend to fall off. You should also indicate which side is up, since this prevents you or your movers from accidentally flipping the box upside down.
When loading your truck or shipping container, distribute weight evenly. Start by loading heavy items, such as furniture and boxes of books, and then place lightweight items on top, so nothing gets crushed. Use ratchet straps as you go to secure each column of boxes.
Cushion Strategically
While a little extra space is fine, too much of it increases the risk of damage during a move. To protect your favorite items, place crumpled packing paper at the bottom of each box. Add your items, and then use packing paper or foam peanuts to fill in any gaps.
If you have something particularly delicate, consider double-boxing it and adding padding between the inner and outer boxes.
Prevent Jostling and Movement
Tie down each column of boxes as you load your truck or shipping container. Then place padding between large items to keep them from shifting or tipping over.
Hiring Professional Movers vs. DIY Packing
Hiring a pro makes a big difference when it comes to protecting fragile items. However, we understand it’s not for everyone.
One of the key advantages is that professional movers have experience wrapping, packing, and stacking items safely in a moving truck. They also typically know how to account for changing environmental conditions. As a result, hiring a full-service moving company saves you time and reduces stress.
“When a moving truck or shipping pod hits the road, potholes, speed bumps, and sudden braking can all cause items to shift — sometimes violently. That’s why items often end up scratched, dented, or even broken.”
The main drawback is that it costs more to hire a mover than it does to do a DIY move. And some people prefer packing themselves because they’re not comfortable with others handling their cherished or high-value items, such as jewelry and family heirlooms.
However, for high-value items, added insurance gives you a safety net. Moving companies usually have standard liability insurance, but it’s not always enough. Consider buying moving insurance or adding a rider to your current homeowners or renters policy.
If you decide to hire a pro, HireAHelper can help you find a trusted full-service moving company in your area. We make it easy to compare movers and read reviews from verified customers, taking the guesswork out of planning a long-distance move.
Bonus Tips for Reducing Damage
We’ve already covered a lot of useful tips for preventing damage to fragile items. But there’s even more you can do to protect your belongings. Here are 5 bonus tips to make your move less hectic:
- Take photos before packing. You don’t have to take a picture of every item you own (no one needs a photo of your pots and pans, for example). But photos of high-value items can come in handy if you have to file an insurance claim. Take photos from multiple angles to show the current condition of each item.
- Avoid overpacking boxes. Even sturdy boxes can collapse if they’re overpacked, so keep them at a manageable weight.
- Keep high-value items in your personal vehicle. For extra peace of mind, keep jewelry, medications, family heirlooms, and important documents with you.
- Create an unloading plan. Knowing which boxes to unload first can help you avoid damage to fragile items. It also makes it easier to get settled in your new home.
- Use high-quality tape. Cheap tape may save money upfront, but if boxes break open, the damage will cost much more.Use heavy-duty packing tape to secure seams.