Dishes should be put into a box that has crumpled paper (plain newsprint) in the bottom to cushion them, and they should be stood on their ends, not stacked on top of one another. They should also be individually wrapped in plain newsprint paper sufficient to shield them from breakage against other plates, and they should rest securely and somewhat snugly so that they can’t flop back and forth and slam against each other. Remember this tip to avoid broken dishes.

Fragile items come in various types, such as paintings (oil, acrylic, etc.), framed paintings with glass, mirrors, porcelain figurines, vases, electronic items, and so forth. These must be handled in different ways, but there are a couple of main principles in packing fragile items. These are 1) to isolate the item, and: 2) to cushion the item.

In the case of paintings without glass, one must be concerned about the surface of the painting. Whether it’s acrylic or oil, it should be wrapped in acid free paper, then stretch wrapped and padded with a moving blanket (or bubble wrapped) and then placed in a box and stood on its side.

For mirrors and paintings that are framed with glass, special procedures are necessary. The glass should be completely and carefully (one strip at a time) covered with painter’s tape, which is like masking tape, but thicker and wider and usually of a dark blue color. It’s best to make an “X” from corner to corner with the painter’s tape on the glass to begin with, then place strips from top to bottom, completely covering every part of the exposed glass. You can then wrap it with a mover’s blanket and place it in a picture box and stand it on its side for transport. Never lay a painting flat.

Vases and porcelain figures, and items of this nature should be wrapped in acid free paper, then bubble wrapped and placed in a separate box for their protection. Larger items might be wrapped in professional grade quilted movers’ blankets and stretch wrapped after first being wrapped in acid free paper. Then they can be placed in individual boxes or wooden crates. The main thing is first to protect the finish, and then protect the item against structural damage, i.e., breakage.

Electronic items are best moved in their original packaging. For this reason, it is recommended that you keep the packaging when you purchase or receive such items. However, space restraints sometimes prevent this, so in the case of some items, all you need to do is wrap them with a mover’s blanket and then place them snugly in a box.

On the other hand, some such items require special handling, and the more expensive they are, the more fragile they seem to be. In these cases, it might be best to call the manufacturer or, if that isn’t possible, do a web search on how to package your item for shipping or moving. The same is true for moving grandfather clocks, because there are components that must be isolated and even some disassembly may be required. Plus, there are restrictions on how to load it (upright), etc. So call the manufacturer to get specific advice on how to ship your item. Take careful notes and follow their instructions for best results.

If you want to avoid scratches on the finish of your large appliances (refrigerator, etc.) then you should wrap them in moving blankets and use stretch wrap to secure the blanket. Do not lay appliances on their side, as this can severely damage or destroy them. Even tipping a washing machine can wreck it so you should call the manufacturer or an appliance store to learn how to stabilize the drum before attempting to move it. It is best to use a special appliance dolly (with an adjustable strap) to move things such as refrigerators and washing machines.