How to Move Fragile, Rare, and Precious Materials Without Damaging Them
There is a lot of information out there regarding how to safely pack,
store, ship, and move fragile items. However, the huge majority of it
applies to packing up small, fragile things—plates, glasses, picture
frames, etc. It’s an unfortunate oversight as some of the most fragile,
precious, and valuable items are not very small.
While safe transport of smaller, fragile items is obviously important, moving large, valuable items presents a unique set of challenges. Movers have to deal with all of the hassle of getting something big and heavy up or down stairs, through narrow halls and doorways, over uneven terrain, and in and out of vehicles. As well the moving of large, valuable items has to be accomplished with extra caution as to not damage the item being moved, those moving it, or the places its being moved from or to. Thankfully, there are ways to do so that greatly increase the chances of a successful valuable item moving experience.
Safely Packing and Moving Smaller Items
The key to successful and shatter-free moving of anything small and fragile relies on two key principles. The first is being sure that every fragile item is individually wrapped in something soft or insulating. The second is that empty space in a box is the enemy. Smaller fragile valuables should have no room to move around in their boxes. So when wrapping plates for a move, for instance, kill two birds with one stone by wrapping the dishes in T-shirts or hand towels and filling any space in the box with towels or other clothing.
The same applies to glasses, but fill the interior with crumpled packing paper, a sock, whatever works. If wrapping everything in clothes, towels, sheets, etc. isn’t an option, packing paper and bubble wrap will also work well. If you’re moving the boxes of fragile items on your own, get the right tools. Particularly if the boxes are heavy, invest in a convertible hand truck that allows you to roll the boxes where they need to go vertically, horizontally, or, in some models, inclined. If you’ve hired movers, clearly mark the boxes “fragile” and point them out to the movers.
Safely Protecting and Moving Bigger Items
This applies to moving small boxes of fragile items as well as large, valuable loads: Always have a plan. Walk the route before you move to identify and remove (or remember) any tripping hazards. Measure doorways to be sure the item will fit through, and consider removing molding if the clearance is really tight and you don’t want to risk it.
You’ll also want to procure the appropriate equipment. If it’s furniture or an appliance or something of comparable size, get an appliance hand truck with straps to be sure it doesn’t shift around during the move. Consider a support brace belt if back issues are a concern, or if you’re taking measure to be sure they don’t become one.
Before moving the item, wrap it entirely in blankets, plastic wrap, or both. Be sure the entirety of whatever you’re moving is covered by something that protects both it and the dwelling you’re moving it to and from. Rather than carrying it across a hard, even surface such as hardwood floors, get a blanket or utilize furniture sliders and slide it rather than drag or carry and risk dropping it. It comes down to the fact that planning, preparation, and the appropriate tools can save you a lot of time, hassle, money, and even injury.
About Magline
The brand “Magliner” is such a trusted name in the materials handling industry that for many it has become synonymous with hand trucks, hand carts, dollies, and other roduct-moving solutions. For over 70 years, Magline has been producing the sturdiest, toughest, most reliable loading and transport equipment, including their collapsible hand truck line. If a safe, durable suite of materials moving tools would contribute to the continued success and growth of your business, choose Magline.
Learn more about everything Magline has to offer at Magliner.com
While safe transport of smaller, fragile items is obviously important, moving large, valuable items presents a unique set of challenges. Movers have to deal with all of the hassle of getting something big and heavy up or down stairs, through narrow halls and doorways, over uneven terrain, and in and out of vehicles. As well the moving of large, valuable items has to be accomplished with extra caution as to not damage the item being moved, those moving it, or the places its being moved from or to. Thankfully, there are ways to do so that greatly increase the chances of a successful valuable item moving experience.
Safely Packing and Moving Smaller Items
The key to successful and shatter-free moving of anything small and fragile relies on two key principles. The first is being sure that every fragile item is individually wrapped in something soft or insulating. The second is that empty space in a box is the enemy. Smaller fragile valuables should have no room to move around in their boxes. So when wrapping plates for a move, for instance, kill two birds with one stone by wrapping the dishes in T-shirts or hand towels and filling any space in the box with towels or other clothing.
The same applies to glasses, but fill the interior with crumpled packing paper, a sock, whatever works. If wrapping everything in clothes, towels, sheets, etc. isn’t an option, packing paper and bubble wrap will also work well. If you’re moving the boxes of fragile items on your own, get the right tools. Particularly if the boxes are heavy, invest in a convertible hand truck that allows you to roll the boxes where they need to go vertically, horizontally, or, in some models, inclined. If you’ve hired movers, clearly mark the boxes “fragile” and point them out to the movers.
Safely Protecting and Moving Bigger Items
This applies to moving small boxes of fragile items as well as large, valuable loads: Always have a plan. Walk the route before you move to identify and remove (or remember) any tripping hazards. Measure doorways to be sure the item will fit through, and consider removing molding if the clearance is really tight and you don’t want to risk it.
You’ll also want to procure the appropriate equipment. If it’s furniture or an appliance or something of comparable size, get an appliance hand truck with straps to be sure it doesn’t shift around during the move. Consider a support brace belt if back issues are a concern, or if you’re taking measure to be sure they don’t become one.
Before moving the item, wrap it entirely in blankets, plastic wrap, or both. Be sure the entirety of whatever you’re moving is covered by something that protects both it and the dwelling you’re moving it to and from. Rather than carrying it across a hard, even surface such as hardwood floors, get a blanket or utilize furniture sliders and slide it rather than drag or carry and risk dropping it. It comes down to the fact that planning, preparation, and the appropriate tools can save you a lot of time, hassle, money, and even injury.
About Magline
The brand “Magliner” is such a trusted name in the materials handling industry that for many it has become synonymous with hand trucks, hand carts, dollies, and other roduct-moving solutions. For over 70 years, Magline has been producing the sturdiest, toughest, most reliable loading and transport equipment, including their collapsible hand truck line. If a safe, durable suite of materials moving tools would contribute to the continued success and growth of your business, choose Magline.
Learn more about everything Magline has to offer at Magliner.com
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