Protecting fragile items
Most breakage comes from items moving inside the box. Wrap each piece, fill every gap, and label the box.
Dishes and glasses
- Use a double-wall dish pack, ideally with cell dividers for glasses (U-Haul cell kit guide).
- Wrap each plate in packing paper and stand plates on edge rather than flat. Put paper between them and fill the gaps (U-Haul).
- Stuff glasses with paper, wrap any stems, and stand each glass upright in its own cell. Don't stack glasses (U-Haul kitchen guide).
- Pad the top and bottom of the box with crumpled paper. Heavier pieces go lower.
Frames, mirrors and electronics
- Use picture or mirror boxes, or cardboard corner protectors. An X of tape across the glass doesn't stop it breaking.
- Original electronics boxes are ideal. Otherwise wrap the item and pad all six sides.
In the planner
Mark items as fragile. The planner suggests dish packs for fragile kitchen items, warns if a box with fragile contents isn't marked fragile, and prints a fragile banner on its label. Paper and bubble-wrap amounts are rough estimates. The formula is shown in the estimate section.
Packing well reduces breakage but can't guarantee anything. For valuable or irreplaceable items, consider professional packing and check your coverage with your mover or insurer.