Packing and moving valuable and delicate antiques and fragile goods are among the most stressful aspects of relocating to a new home. The team of Safe Ship Moving Services mentions that extra care would be needed to make sure that the antiques and fragile goods do arrive at the new home undamaged. These pieces generally have high sentimental or financial value, and therefore one needs to take proactive steps to minimize the risk of breakage and safeguard their antiques during a move.
Safe Ship Moving Services provides a few pointers for packing and moving antiques
Antiques need special care, as well as the use of the right packing supplies and techniques to make sure that they arrive at their destination safely. Here are a few tips one should try to follow to safely pack and move valuable antiques to a new place:
- Make an antique inventory: First of all, one has to gather all the antiques they have at home. A long mat, or a big tray can be used to keep the antiques in one place.
- Separate antiques according to size and shape: Most homes have two types of antiques, first is the antique showpieces and second type is heavyweight furniture. Antique showpieces can include paintings, sculptures, idols, family heirlooms and more. On the other hand, antique heavyweight furniture can involve sofas, tables, large lampstands, and more. Both types of antiques should be kept separately before packing.
- Clean the antiques: Before packing the antiques, it is imperative to properly clean them. Otherwise, the dust particles may damage the sheen and the shiny surface of antiques. Microfiber cloth can be used to clean dust. However, it is better to avoid using chemicals as they may hamper the surface or colour of the antiques.
- Assessing the antiques: One needs to carefully assess every antique item they have to determine its fragility, size, and material. It is imperative to take note of any vulnerable areas or delicate parts that may need extra protection.
- Gather packing supplies: High quality packing supplies would be necessary to efficiently pack antiques. One would need packing materials like moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, foam peanuts, and furniture blankets for the job. These materials help in providing cushioning and protection against shocks during transit.
- Follow the right packing techniques: One has to start by wrapping each item individually with acid-free packing paper in order to prevent scratches. Bubble wrap should be used for extra cushioning, particularly for delicate surfaces.
- Securely Pack: One must place antiques in appropriately sized boxes and subsequently fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to prevent movement. These boxes additionally have to be labelled as “fragile” and arrows can be used to indicate which way is up.
The team of Safe Ship Moving Services mentions that to make the job easier, one should consider hiring professionals who specialize in packing and handling fragile objects. There are many well-established moving companies whose staff members have the expertise and equipment to ensure that one’s antiques are packed securely and arrive intact at the new home.