Moving and Packing Supplies for Fragile Items
Breakables slow down nearly every move, and they're where the right supplies make the biggest difference. Storewell Self Storage put together this guide to help you decide what materials you need for your storage unit, along with a few techniques to make sure your dishes and screens are ready to go.
Dish Boxes and Cell Dividers for Kitchenware
A dish box is sturdier than a standard moving carton, which matters once it's full of stoneware. Start with a layer of crumpled packing paper on the bottom as a cushion. Wrap each plate individually and stand it on edge, the way you'd file records, rather than stacking it flat. Plates on edge handle bumps in the truck much better than a flat stack, where weight presses down on the bottom piece.
Glassware goes into cell dividers that slot inside the box. Wrap every glass, set it in its own cell, and fill any gaps with paper until nothing shifts when you gently tilt the box. Heavier items like bowls belong at the bottom, with stemware on top.
Wrapping Electronics, Mirrors, and Framed Art
Original manufacturer boxes are the best option for TVs and monitors if you still have them. They’re sized exactly for your screen and often include form-fitting Styrofoam to guard against bumps. Otherwise, choose a box only slightly larger than the device and fill the space with foam or Bubble Wrap. Snap a photo of the cable setup before unplugging anything, then bag the cords and tape the bag to the device.
For mirrors and art, telescoping picture boxes adjust to the size of the frame. Add cardboard corner protectors first, since corners take the most impact. Always transport and store these pieces standing upright, never lying flat with items stacked on top.
Specialty Wardrobe and Mattress Boxes
Hanging clothes move fastest in a wardrobe box with a built-in metal bar. Lift garments straight from the closet on their hangers and hang them inside, then use the floor of the box for shoes or folded linens. It also saves you from ironing a closet full of wrinkled shirts at the new place.
Mattress bags and boxes help keep dust and dirt off during a move or a stay in storage. Slide the mattress in, seal the open end with packing tape, and stand it on its side against a wall of the truck so it doesn't sag.
Labeling Systems and Markers That Speed Up Unpacking
A good label tells movers how to handle a box before they lift it. Keep a few thick permanent markers and a roll of colored tape on hand, and set up a simple system:
- One tape color per room, applied to every box headed there
- Labels on two sides and the top so they show when boxes are stacked
- "Fragile" and "This Side Up" arrows on every box of breakables
- Numbered boxes matched to a written inventory list
Loading Fragile Boxes Into a Storage Unit
Plan the unit layout before you arrive. Heavy, sturdy boxes form the base along the back wall, and the fragile cartons go on top and toward the front where you can reach them without moving everything else. With drive-up storage, you can park beside your unit and carry dish boxes a short distance instead of rolling them down a hallway.
Materials may vary between locations. Ask your local facility about the supplies we have in stock before you arrive. Our self storage tips cover more ways to organize a unit once your boxes are packed. When you're ready to rent, browse our storage locations to find a Storewell Self Storage facility near your new home.