How to Pack Mirrors for Moving Homes
A mirror is a tricky thing to move. They aren’t a typical size. They can be tough to handle. Due to their length and size, mirrors are also prone to breaking when they aren’t properly packed or supported in transportation. Heavy and fragile, how to pack mirrors for moving requires a few additional steps compared to your average item.
Here is everything you need to know about how to do it.
1. Supplies
To pack a mirror, moving supplies will include a mirror box, packing tape, lots of cardboard, enough bubble wrap to wrap the mirror, lots of packing tape, and a permanent black marker to identify the box.
2. Buy a Mirror Box
A mirror box is sold at moving supply stores and some hardware stores. They are the safest way to transport a mirror for moving. They can be customized far easier than any standard-size box.
A mirror box is made up of 4 pieces of cardboard, interlocking together to create a custom size fitting around the mirror in question. This sort of customizability is what makes a mirror box so advantageous.
3. If You Can’t Buy a Mirror Box
If you don’t have a mirror box, the next best thing would be to break apart a few large moving boxes into separate pieces. These individual pieces can be flattened and fitted around your mirror, carefully taped together.
The recommendation for a fragile item like a mirror is to have packaging that is roughly 30% larger than the item. This extra 30% is where you will add lots of padding to minimize the risk of damage.
Another possibility is using a storage container service. There are storage London Ontario facilities that can store your mirrors in between moves. You can retrieve these items after your move has completed.
4. Tape an ‘X’ Across Your Mirror
Prepare your mirror somewhere safe, such as the kitchen table. Be careful if you have pets or children in the house. Ensure you’re packing the mirror somewhere there’s no risk of getting knocked over.
Now, tape an ‘X’ across the face of the mirror from corner to corner. If the mirror breaks, your broken pieces will likely remain in place. Instead of an ‘X,’ some people prefer creating a grid across the whole of the mirror.
5. Create Cardboard Corners
You don’t have to do this if your mirror has no sharp, 90-degree edges. If it does, take some cardboard and create some basic corner protectors to minimize the risk of damage.
6. How to Pack a Mirror For Moving
It’s time to pack your mirror! Cut two pieces of cardboard to size for the front and back of your mirror. Place your mirror onto a large piece of packing paper. Wrap it completely in the paper, as you would if wrapping it as a gift. Next, wrap the whole of the mirror with bubble wrap. All around. Make it a tight layer and tape it together. Every inch of your mirror should be covered.
7. Put The Mirror In Your Packing Box
Set up your box by packing the bottom with crumpled packing paper. Create a firm bed of padding at the bottom. Then, slide your wrapped mirror into the box. Make sure the mirror is completely in the box and not sticking out.
8. What Protection To Use
You’ll notice your mirror in the box is not yet stable. That’s where packing protection comes in handy. To start, do not use packing peanuts. They will shift around too much and not provide adequate protection for a mirror.
Just like you filled the bottom with packing paper, you’ll want to fill all around the mirror with the same material. Create a firm bed of padding. Before you tape it up, there should be no space in the box.
9. How You Know Your Mirror Is Safe
Lift the box gently. Give it a gentle shake. If anything’s moving around inside, open the box and add more padding. Nothing should be shaking or moving inside the box at any time.
Lastly, write ‘FRAGILE’ and ‘DO NOT LAY FLAT’ on the box. Make it big and bold. You don’t want the mirror flat because any object placed on top could cause it to crack during the moving process.
10. Safely Load Your Mirror Into The Truck
Now you’re ready to move your mirror onto the moving truck. You will want to lay it on its size with nothing on top of it or nothing putting any pressure on it. Ensure your mirror’s not squeezed tightly in between anything. This might seem like a good idea, to keep it tight.
However, while driving, any pressure from a bump or turn might be too much weight for the mirror. Ensure it’s somewhere carefully out of the way and free from any hazards that could occur in the truck.