Fragile items are the ones that make moving feel like the highest stakes. A cracked mirror, broken wine glasses, or a damaged piece of artwork isn’t just a financial loss — some of these things can’t be replaced at any price. The good news is that most breakage during a move is preventable. It comes down to two things: the right materials and not rushing the process.
Start with the Right Supplies
Packing fragile items with inexpensive, inadequate materials is a false economy. You’ll need small to medium-sized boxes for most breakables — larger boxes get too heavy and too difficult to handle safely. Stock up on plain packing paper (not newspaper, which transfers ink onto surfaces), bubble wrap, foam sheets or foam pouches, packing tape, and something to fill empty space — packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or small towels all work. The goal for any fragile box is that nothing moves once it’s sealed. If you can hear or feel the box shifting when you gently shake it, it needs more cushioning before it goes on the truck.
Dishes and Glassware: More Care Than You’d Think
Dishes should be packed vertically, standing on their edges like records in a crate — never flat. Stacking them flat places all the weight on the bottom pieces, and that’s where most dish breakage happens. Wrap each plate individually in packing paper, and place a sheet of bubble wrap or additional paper between each one.
For glasses and stemware, stuff the inside of each glass with crumpled paper first, then wrap the outside and give extra attention to stems, which are the most vulnerable part. Use boxes with cell dividers when packing wine glasses or other stemware — they keep pieces separated and prevent contact during transit.
Artwork and Mirrors: Stand Them Up, Always
Framed artwork and mirrors should always travel upright, never flat. Lay them flat, and they’re far more susceptible to pressure cracks from weight stacked on top. Use painter’s tape to create an X across the glass surface before packing — this doesn’t make the glass unbreakable, but if it does get hit, the tape holds the shards together rather than letting them scatter. Wrap the piece in bubble wrap secured with tape (tape on the wrap, not directly on the frame), then place it in a specialty picture or mirror box. Fill any remaining space in the box with packing paper so nothing shifts.
Ceramics, Collectibles, and Heirlooms
Irregularly shaped items require more patience than standard household goods. Wrap every piece individually and completely, paying extra attention to protruding parts — a ceramic figurine’s arm, the spout on a teapot, the corner of a decorative tile. For items with significant sentimental or monetary value, consider double-boxing: pack the item in a well-cushioned smaller box, then place that box inside a larger box with additional padding on all sides. Mark these boxes “Fragile” on every face, and load them last so they ride on top of heavier items on the truck.
Know When to Ask for Help
For a large collection of fragile items, or for individual pieces that are genuinely irreplaceable — fine art, antiques, family heirlooms — a professional packing service is worth the investment. Professional packers have access to custom crating materials and regularly handle high-value, delicate pieces. They know which items require specialty boxes, which need custom foam inserts, and how to pack a truck so that the fragile items stay safe through every turn and stop between New Berlin and the destination. Our residential moving team includes packing services specifically designed for households with fragile or high-value items.
Loading Matters as Much as Packing
Items in a well-packed box can still get broken if the box is placed under heavy items or allowed to shift during a sharp turn. Fragile boxes should be loaded last and positioned on top of heavier, more stable boxes. Keep them upright with the “this side up” orientation respected. If you’re overseeing a move with a mix of professional movers and personal loads, make sure everyone on site knows which boxes are fragile and where they belong in the truck.
Move It Safely. Move It Right.
Schroeder Moving provides professional packing and household moving services for Wisconsin families throughout Appleton, New Berlin, Milwaukee, and the surrounding area. Whether you need help packing your most delicate items or want a full-service move from start to finish, we have the experience to protect what matters. Request your free estimate today.