How can I protect my fragile items from getting broken in my storage container?

There are many reasons on why people use storage containers and storage facilities. Sometimes the need comes out of house renovations and at often it arises during relocations when the new house isn’t ready to move into yet.

Storage can be a pretty tricky ordeal especially if you plan on putting fragile and valuable items inside. Storage rentals all have various features but there are a few basic tips that you can follow to keep your fragile items from getting broken or damaged.

• Equip yourself with the right moving supplies and equipment

  This includes cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, styrofoam, peanuts, packing tape, markers and other things. When it comes to protecting fragile materials, the secret lies in packing.

• Bubble wrap and acid free tissue paper

  Bubble wrap should be placed at the bottom of the box when you’re packing kitchen china, crystals and other glassware. Then, wrap each item individually with the acid free paper.

• Box fillers

  Crumpled newspaper and styrofoam peanuts are great for filling up the spaces inside boxes. This will prevent the items inside from banging each other.

• Mark it as fragile

  This is one of the most important tricks to protecting your things. By marking the appropriate box as “fragile” you’re letting the movers and handlers know that the box needs extra care and attention. Make sure to use permanent markers that are waterproof.

• Place electronics in their original packaging

  For electronic equipment and other gadgets, the best way to protect them is to store them in the original boxes that they came in. These boxes were already designed for shipping and handling so make sure to keep them when you buy new electronics.

• Proper dismantling

  Some fragile items can be dismantled before packing. If this needs to be done, make sure to create detailed notes on how to put it back together and place the note inside the container as well.

• Specialized boxes

  Difficult items like mirrors can be stored in specialized boxes. In this case you should also use foam for extra cushioning.

• Mark which side is up

  Mark which side of the box is the top so that movers can know which right side should be up.

Lastly, take note that if an item is too valuable to risk, it might be better to hire professional packers and shippers to do them for you. For other fragile and valuable documents however, it may be wiser to keep them with you instead or in safety deposit boxes in banks.