So you’ve packed away all your beloved belongings, important heirlooms and timeless treasures, only to find the next time they see the light of day the china is cracked, the picture frames are buckled, and the collectibles are cactus. Like your belongings there’s a good chance you’ll also pretty shattered – but it doesn’t have to be that way.  Proper storage of fragile items can prevent unpleasant discoveries when the time comes to retrieve your cherished belongings.  For the purpose of possession protection, the team of self storage specialists at All Size Sheds have put together some storage strategies to prevent the pain of damaged goods and cracked collectables.

Mirrors and Artwork

Storing mirrors and artwork vertically instead of horizontally, removes the risk of the weight of framed pieces impacting together and causing damage.  Additionally artwork should be stored off the floor to promote airflow which will minimise the chance of mould and mildew growth. We also suggest using cardboard corner pieces to protect the edges of mirrors and artwork from being bumped.  Wrapping each piece in bubble wrap and laying a piece of tissue paper over the painted section of the artwork will further protect artwork. Additionally we recommend taking a picture of each piece and attaching it to the artwork to assist in easy identification and help distinguish one piece from another.

Porcelain and China

Lining the bottom of the box with a layer of packing foam or bubble wrap will act as a cushion if the box is set down quickly or dropped.  Flat pieces of china like plates should go at the bottom of the box, while smaller items like cups and saucers should be packed towards the top. Packing china into numerous smaller boxes instead of a couple of large boxes is a safer option for the items and will also help save your back. Boxes should be stacked following the principle of heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes on top.  We also do not recommend using newspaper to wrap breakables as this can imprint and transfer onto the porcelain, instead acid free tissue paper is recommended to separate fragile items from each other and protect them.

Other Fragile items

Some other general tips for other fragile items like figurines and collectables include marking each box as fragile and which side of the box is ‘up’ to ensure the box is not handled the wrong way when being moved. Additionally using foam pellets can help to fill empty space in the box and prevent items moving around and impacting on each other. Lastly we suggest always taping the bottom of the box to provide extra support and strength.

These are just a few tips for storing common fragile items like china, glassware and artwork. Taking a few more minutes and planning the way you pack will save heartache and regret when it comes to the unpacking stage. For more storage advice and tips, or information about our storage facilities servicing the Tweed Heads and Gold Coast areas, please give our office a call on (07) 5534 7181.