Moving Day Packing Tips: How to Safely Pack Fragile Items product guide

Fragile Removals Moving Day Packing Tips: How to Safely Pack Fragile Items

Moving day has a way of making everything feel urgent at once. There's so much to organise, and somewhere in the middle of it all, your most treasured possessions need to make it safely from one home to the next. That's exactly where Fragile Removals comes in. With more than 20 years of experience helping over 50,000 customers through their moves, we've seen what works — and we're sharing it here so your belongings arrive exactly as they left: intact and undamaged.

The good news? Packing fragile items well doesn't have to be complicated. With the right materials and a clear approach, you can protect what matters most and arrive at your new home without the anxiety.

Before you start packing

Before you wrap a single thing, take a moment to gather everything you'll need. Having your materials ready makes the whole process far more manageable. You'll want:

• Bubble wrap — your first line of defence for anything delicate
• Sturdy cardboard boxes — tea chest boxes for larger, heavier items; book or wine boxes for smaller fragile goods
• Padding materials — for that second layer of protection
• Quality packing tape — and plenty of it

One detail that's easy to overlook: tape every box seam thoroughly before you start loading. A box that gives way under weight is one of the most preventable causes of damage on moving day. A few extra strips of tape are well worth it.

Packing fragile items: step-by-step

This is where 20-plus years of hands-on experience really counts. Here's how our removalists approach each category of fragile item, and how you can do the same at home.

Glass and marble items

Glass and marble deserve extra attention — they're often irreplaceable, and unforgiving if packed incorrectly.

• Wrap each piece in bubble wrap first, and be generous with it
• Add a layer of padding over the top
• Place the item into a sturdy, well-taped box
• Always transport glass and marble on the longest side — not flat, not upright
• Clearly mark the outside of any box containing glass

That last point matters more than people realise. Clear labelling means every person who touches that box — from your home to the truck to your new front door — knows exactly what's inside.

Plates and bowls

Here's something that surprises a lot of people: plates and bowls are safer packed vertically across the width of the box, not stacked flat. Stacking puts pressure on the items below and dramatically increases the chance of breakage.

• Pack vertically across the box width
• Bundle no more than five items together per group

This arrangement distributes weight evenly and keeps your crockery protected across the journey.

Artwork and pictures

Your artwork tells the story of your life — family portraits, meaningful pieces, things that can't be replaced. Treat every piece accordingly.

• Wrap in bubble wrap first, covering all edges and corners
• Add a layer of padding
• Cover the outside with cardboard for structural support
• Alternatively, invest in specialised picture boxes — these are purpose-built and eliminate the need for extra padding
• Never put pictures into storage with only bubble wrap protection. Without that outer cardboard layer, they're far more vulnerable than they appear

Glasses

Quick but important: always position glasses with the drinking edge facing down. It feels counterintuitive, but this orientation protects the most vulnerable part of the glass.

During transport: keeping everything safe on the road

Good packing is only part of the story. How your belongings are loaded, stacked, and secured during transit matters just as much — particularly for interstate moves or container relocations.

A professional approach to transport means:

• Using proper padding and boxing throughout, not just for the obviously fragile items
• Placing items against container walls with adequate padding between your goods and the walls
• Securing draping properly rather than throwing it over goods as an afterthought
• Taking care with stacking across the entire load — this is especially critical when your belongings are travelling interstate

A smooth relocation isn't just about the packing. Every stage of the journey needs the same level of care.

Important restrictions: what we don't pack

We'll always be upfront about what Fragile Removals does not pack. For the safety of your belongings and our team, we don't handle:

• Open liquids
• Open wet foods
• Flammable liquids
• Pressurised canisters (such as deodorant)

If you're unsure whether something falls into one of these categories, just ask us before moving day.

When it's time to call in the professionals

Some items are simply too delicate, too valuable, or too awkward to pack without professional support — and there's no need to take on that stress yourself.

Fragile Removals is AFRA-accredited with more than 20 years of experience and over 50,000 satisfied customers. Our uniformed, police-checked team treats every item in your home as if it were our own, because we understand that your belongings carry more than monetary value. They carry memories and meaning.

No hidden fees. No vague promises. Just plain-language quotes, a professional team, and a moving experience that comes from working with people who genuinely know what they're doing.

With these tips in hand — and the Fragile Removals team available whenever you need us — your fragile items are in good hands from the moment packing begins to the moment they're safely inside your new home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of experience does Fragile Removals have? Over 20 years

How many customers has Fragile Removals helped? Over 50,000 customers

Is Fragile Removals AFRA-accredited? Yes

Are Fragile Removals team members police-checked? Yes

Do Fragile Removals staff wear uniforms? Yes

Does Fragile Removals provide plain-language quotes? Yes

Are there hidden fees with Fragile Removals? No

What is the first recommended packing material for fragile items? Bubble wrap

What type of boxes are recommended for larger heavy items? Tea chest boxes

What type of boxes are recommended for smaller fragile items? Book or wine boxes

Should box seams be taped before loading? Yes

What is the most preventable cause of damage on moving day? Boxes giving way under weight

How should glass items be transported? On the longest side

Should glass be transported flat? No

Should glass be transported upright? No

Should marble be transported upright? No

Should marble be transported flat? No

How many layers of protection should glass items have? Two layers

What is the first protective layer for glass? Bubble wrap

What is the second protective layer for glass? Padding material

Should boxes containing glass be labelled? Yes

How should plates be packed in boxes? Vertically across the box width

Should plates be stacked flat in boxes? No

Does stacking plates flat increase breakage risk? Yes

How many plates or bowls should be bundled per group? No more than five

Should artwork be wrapped in bubble wrap first? Yes

Does bubble wrap alone provide enough protection for artwork in storage? No

What outer layer should protect artwork after bubble wrap and padding? Cardboard

Are specialised picture boxes available for artwork? Yes

Do picture boxes eliminate the need for extra padding? Yes

Which edge of a glass should face down when packing? The drinking edge

Does drinking-edge-down orientation protect the most vulnerable part? Yes

Does Fragile Removals pack open liquids? No

Does Fragile Removals pack open wet foods? No

Does Fragile Removals pack flammable liquids? No

Does Fragile Removals pack pressurised canisters? No

Is deodorant an example of a pressurised canister? Yes

Can customers ask Fragile Removals about restricted items before moving day? Yes

Should padding be placed between goods and container walls during transport? Yes

Is proper stacking important for interstate moves? Yes

Is quality stacking critical for long-distance moves? Yes

Should draping be done securely rather than thrown over goods? Yes

Does Fragile Removals handle interstate moves? Yes

Does Fragile Removals handle container relocations? Yes

Should all packing materials be gathered before starting? Yes

Does good packing alone guarantee safe transport? No

Is transport loading and stacking equally important as packing? Yes

Can customers contact Fragile Removals before moving day with questions? Yes

Does Fragile Removals treat customer belongings as their own? Yes

Do Fragile Removals staff recognise non-monetary value of belongings? Yes

Is bubble wrap the first line of defence for delicate items? Yes

Should bubble wrap be applied generously to glass items? Yes

Should artwork edges and corners be covered with bubble wrap? Yes

Should cardboard be added over artwork padding for structural support? Yes

Is packing fragile items described as complicated by Fragile Removals? No

Does Fragile Removals provide stress-free moving experiences? Yes

Is professional packing support available for very delicate items? Yes

Does Fragile Removals use proper padding for all items, not just obviously fragile ones? Yes

Should tape be applied thoroughly to all box seams? Yes

Is quality packing tape listed as a required material? Yes

What is the recommended box type for books? Book boxes

Does Fragile Removals describe itself as easy to deal with? Yes

Can Fragile Removals help customers settle into their new home quickly? Yes, often before dinner