How to Pack Fragile Items: Advice from Ottawa’s Top Movers

Ottawa Pro Movers has handled everything from vintage turntables to heirloom crystal, and we've learned that attention to detail beats brute strength every time. Below is the method our crews swear by when prepping delicate pieces for the short hop from Westboro to Gloucester or the long haul beyond.

Gather the “Right” Supplies, Not the Cheap Ones

Start with sturdy, double-walled cartons, unprinted newsprint, bubble wrap with tiny bubbles, and quality packing tape. We see too many clients reach for grocery-store wine boxes or flimsy newspapers. Ink transfers, thin cardboard buckles, and the china platter your sister reserved for Thanksgiving dinner is chipped. If you’d rather skip the supply run, our professional packing service can bring everything to your doorstep with no guesswork required.

Pre-Wrap: Layer First, Secure Later

Lay each item on a pile of unprinted paper and wrap it from the corner, not the center. Corners give you overlap without cramming. Use enough sheets that you can't feel the item through the paper, then seal it with a single strip of tape. Glassware gets a bubble-wrap jacket after its paper layer; dishes stick to paper only because trapped air inside bubbles can create pressure points.

Box Like a Pastry Chef, Not a Bricklayer

Fill the bottom of the carton with three inches of crumpled paper. Place the heaviest wrapped items on their sides as though you're stacking plates in a dishwasher. Cushion every gap with more paper; space is the enemy. Lighter pieces ride on top. Before sealing, give the box a gentle shake; add more fill if you hear clinks or feel shifting.

Specialty Cases: Odd Shapes & Family Treasures

• Glassware: Slide cardboard dividers into a tall, narrow box. Each glass gets its own “apartment” with bubble-wrapped stems.
• Art & Mirrors: To absorb vibration, put painters' tape across the glass in an "X," then sandwich it between two sheets of corrugated cardboard cut to size.
• Musical Instruments: Loosen strings slightly to relieve tension, wrap the body in paper, and transport it in its hard case. Call us if the case is missing; our crew keeps spare instrument cartons on hand.

Label Like a Librarian

Significant, black marker: "FRAGILE, KITCHEN, OPEN FIRST." Write on at least two adjacent sides plus the top. That way, whoever carries the box can see what's inside, regardless of which edge faces up. And yes, we read those labels; it's part of our move-day choreography.

When loading the truck, our local moving team stacks fragile cartons last and straps them against a wall to minimize jostling on Ottawa’s notorious spring potholes. They’ll be first off at the new address, too, so you can set up the hutch before the furniture crowd arrives.

Don’t Forget the Human Factor

Packing is equal parts science and stamina. The longer you’re hunched over a box, the more you’ll rush, and that’s when glasses crack. Work in 45-minute bursts. Stretch. Sip water. And let relatives handle items they have an emotional tie to; it keeps peace in the family and ensures Nana's porcelain figurine is cushioned by someone who cares.

When in Doubt, Tap the Pros

We love a good DIY spirit, but fragile items reward experience. Our crews carry reusable dish barrels, mattress sleeves, and breathable artwork bags you won't find at the hardware store. So if your schedule (or your nerves) is tight, hand the delicate pieces to our senior moving specialists, yes, the same folks who cater to downsizing parents every week, over at the senior moving department.

Closing Thought: Pack Once, Smile Twice

Follow these steps, and the only surprise on a moving day will be where you park the coffee mugs. And if you'd rather spend your energy choosing paint swatches than wrapping glassware, call us. We'll do the rattling so you can enjoy the ride.