Moving to a new home can be stressful, especially when you have a lot of fragile items like plates and glassware to transport.
As long-distance moving companies in Vancouver know, proper packing is key to preventing breakages during your move. Read on for tips on safely packing your plates with bubble wrap for moving day.
As long-distance moving companies in Vancouver advise, you’ll want to start by collecting packing supplies: bubble wrap, paper, stretch wrap, towels, and strong boxes specifically designed for plates and glassware.
While normal cardboard boxes may seem sturdy enough, nothing beats reinforced boxes with built-in dividers to keep stacks of plates protected.
Step-By-Step Guide to Packing Plates
Follow these tips when packing your plates for moving day:
- Wrap plates individually – Place a single plate upside down on a flat surface and center a sheet of small bubble wrap on top, pressing gently to adhere it to the plate. Lift the edges of the bubble wrap and wrap it entirely underneath the plate as well, sealing it with tape. The more cushion, the better!
- Stand plates on edge in box – With bubble wrap protecting the top and bottom, stand each plate on its edge in a sturdy plate moving box, wedging gently between built-in dividers. Avoid laying flat, which puts more pressure on plates during transit.
- Cushion bottom and edges – Before stacking plates, cover the bottom of the box with 2-3 inches of bubble wrap or paper to cushion the initial layer. As you stack, also place sheets of paper or bubble wrap between each plate and around all outer edges before closing up the box.
- Limit stacks to 8 inches max – While the sturdiest boxes allow stacks of 18 inches, the best practice is to keep stacks lower to prevent fragility issues. For lighter dishes like saucers or bowls, stack no more than 8 inches high.
- Wrap box securely – Once your box is full of cushioned plates, seal the bottom and top with ample tape. Then wrap the entire box in a layer of stretch wrap to prevent flaps from opening during transit.
Top Reasons Plates Break During a Move
No matter how careful your moving company is, accidents can happen. However, proper packing methods go a long way towards preventing broken dishes. Most damages occur due to:
- Improper packing – Simply tossing plates into a box or laying them flat leads to chips, cracks, and shatters. Bubble wrap and dividers are essential!
- Overloaded boxes – Boxes that are overloaded and too heavy are prone to collapsing, crunching plates inside. Travel light!
- Unsecured flaps – If flaps come open, plates can slide right out, risking broken dishes and toes! Secure tape and stretch wrap help avoid this.
- Shock during transit – Hard brakes and bumps while en route can topple stacks if plates are packed too high. Cushion plates well and don’t overload stacks.
By keeping these common causes in mind and following professional tips from long-distance moving companies in Vancouver, you can feel confident your plates will survive the journey to your new home in one piece. Reach out to reliable movers for more packing advice!
