Home shifting is already stressful but packing, moreover packing and relocating fragile goods elevates the stress to a whole new level making our lives even more difficult.
While we are packing, we need to think of the delicate and breakable items first. They need more attention, as they are pricelessly expensive. Your dishware, collectibles, mirrors, lamps, pictures, frames, paintings, sculptures, etc., need special care and attention. I have heard of various home shifting tragedies, where mostly the story ends with vintage porcelain crockery being cracked, or maybe an entire dinner set was found smashed. Many sad tears were shed over broken hearts and dishes but fear not. These tips may not help you with your delicate heart but they will check your fragile items’ safety.
Advanced planning:
Anything well planned is half done. Therefore, having a good plan of how you are going to move about packing your things will help you remain calm and composed and not panic. Make a checklist of all the items you own, the delicate one the bulky ones, the valuables etc. And another list of what you will need to buy or maybe in Mumbai language “jugaad” to wrap your things. Rushing things are okay. But not when it comes to packing for home shifting. Do not rush. Keep calm. Do make a separate list of your fragile items and it would always be a wiser decision to pack them separately.
Getting your things
After you are done making your checklist, get the armour that will protect your items. You will need these things the most: pliable cardboard, packing paper, scissors, and packing tape, quality boxes in various sizes, bubble wrap. Lay them out systematically in an ample open space and tighten your belt to start with the task. Keep in mind to keep your fragile items with the best armour to protect it. Delicate things need extra care, we need to ensure to protect them more securely.
Packing various Items
1) Chinaware, Dishware, plates:
Individually wrap the dishes with Bubble Wrap and secure them with good-quality tape. Fill in the bowls and vases with Styrofoam, paper pieces, and bubble wrap. After placing them in the box, pre-lined with wraps and paper, fill in the empty spaces with Styrofoam pellets. Use ample tape to secure the item.
2) Pictures and Mirrors:
Mirrors and paintings are one of your fragile items which you would’nt want to damage in the process of home shifting. As said, wrap your painting, frame, or mirror well with newspaper and ample bubble wrap. Handle it with care even while packing. Use tapes. Once done. Acquire boxes similar to their size. Once done, secure it with a tape and label it appropriately.
3) Decors:
Usually, sculptures cannot be placed in boxes. But that’s okay. Please keep in mind to use a generous amount of bubble wrap. Wrap them completely. Place them in pliable cardboard. Place another identical piece of cardboard on top of the item. Bend the cardboard to meet the ends. Make sure you keep the item as snug as possible. Then place the piece in a paper-lined box roughly the same size as the object, placing the crumpled paper in any gaps. Finally, tape up the package securely and mark in bold felt marker: FRAGILE.
4) TV and Music Systems:
Try to use the original boxes the manufacturers gave; if you don’t have them, you can check out at your local scrap store. Wrap them with bubble wrap thoroughly before putting them in your boxes and label it appropriately as “Fragile handle with care”.
Use Appropriate Boxes with different sizes
Getting boxes of different sizes makes our tasks further easy, instead of putting all of them in the same size boxes. You can arrange the heavier items in small boxes securely, so that it is easy to move. Similarly, keeping the lighter items in big boxes helps you save space, thus making your work a bit easier.
Label the Contents on each Box
Clearly label the boxes containing fragile items as “Handle with care”. Feel free to further label them if few need to be handled with exceptional care. Use tapes indicating different colours if needed. Also make a list of the number of boxes and the items you are keeping in it to avoid getting into a mess while unpacking.
Be prepared for the worst
Accidents happen even when we are extremely cautious. However, once the damage is done, we cannot undo it but can only see to it that it doesn’t get worse. One should know how to handle broken items with caution. Just in case any glass item is broken, it is necessary to confirm that no one was injured, if yes then seek out for immediate first aid and lookout for medical help if required. The area should be cleaned with the help of safety gloves or seek professional help if the severity is more.
In case of accidents with electronics and plastic, we need to respond accordingly. Electronics should be assessed if they can be repaired and take decisions as per the damage and cost ratio.
Prepare for Unpacking
Once packing is done as per the plan and labelling, unpacking should be easy. But it is necessary to ensure we have a strategy on how the things are to be arranged before opening up the mess. It is also necessary to unpack items carefully because “Nazar hati, durghatna ghati” Don’t let all your hardwork go in vain and unpack things carefully. Also keep a note of the fragile items which were packed so we don’t end up losing them. Labelling the boxes as per the rooms will be helpful and will help you unpack things in an organised way.
The Don’ts:
Do not use paper towels, newsprints, small blankets, old towels, etc. old towels can become slippery and cannot be secured with a tap thus, packing items with them is pointless. Newsprints can make your wares dirty; that is just double work. Use proper tools to keep it safe and tension free.
Hope these hacks will help you make your home shifting a bit easier. When you are finally done with the tedious task of home shifting, you just have to take care of one last thing. Try to reuse most of the materials you used up for packing and recycle the recyclable goods. Please keep in mind we have a planet to take care of and generations to look after for. Good luck with your new home. Happy shifting.