Packing and Moving A Mirror Like A Pro
March 3, 2023
March 3, 2023
Moving A Mirror: Broken mirrors are said to bring seven years of bad luck, whether you’re moving to a new home or living in an old one. Large mirrors aren’t difficult to pack, but you’ll need the right boxes and some basic knowledge.
If DIY packing and moving isn’t an option, we suggest hiring a reputable moving company with checked customer feedback and entrusting your mirrors to competent packers.
If you have the time and expertise to do it yourself, however, following these easy packing tips can greatly reduce the risk of damaging your large mirrors.
Buying cheap moving boxes is a bad idea when it comes to packing mirrors and other breakable or delicate objects.
Choosing high-quality packaging materials is more expensive, but it’s money well spent if preventing harm is a priority. And, more importantly, choose the appropriate box sizes.
Unfortunately, mirror cartons come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles, making it difficult to know which to use.
The 4-piece mirrors used by most experienced movers are your best bet for big mirrors – those that are at least 3 feet long on each hand.
Not only does each layer of packaging fit snugly together to ensure that your mirror does not move during transit, but the sides often overlap, providing additional security where it is most required.
Things you also need
Permanent marker or Sharpie
Packing tape
Bubble wrap
Large brown paper pads
Furniture pad or a full-size moving blanket
Screwdriver or pliers
Packing is made faster and safer when the workstation is free of barriers and obstructions.
Empty room
Wide table
Carpeted floor
It’s crucial to get things like chairs, plant stands, and coat racks out of the way first, as colliding with delicate mirrors or framed pictures can result in harm.
Collect 4 or 5 mirrors at a time, take them to your workroom, and stack them against a wall.
A packing area on each floor is a good idea if you have a big multi-level house.
When you’re using one-piece mirror packages, tape one end tightly shut while leaving the other open.
And, using the size of the carton as a guide, look for mirrors of similar dimensions.
The smaller the two, the less likely damage will occur.
Fold and tape each corner of a 4-piece carton and place the individual parts against a nearby wall so you don’t trip over them.
Begin by removing rings, wristwatches, and belts with large metal buckles, as they can shatter mirrors with just a tap.
Then, spread a brown paper pad around your work area and position the item in the middle, with the mirror’s glass facing downward.
Roll the top down, then the sides in, then the bottom up to the middle.
Next, wrap vertical and horizontal strips of packaging tape around the wrapped mirror.
Cut a portion from a spare carton the same size as the mirror and put it on top of the paper pad over the glass for precious and delicate objects.
Apply a few pieces of tape to keep it in place, then cover the whole package in one or two layers of bubble wrap.
It’s just a matter of putting your mirror into the package now that you’ve wrapped it in several layers of protective material.
When you’re using a one-piece package, there will most certainly be empty spaces between the mirror and the carton on the sides or ends.
Tips: Styrofoam packing peanuts should not be used for padding because they are bad for the environment and appear to shift around when shifted, exposing vulnerable areas.
Some mirror cartons come with warnings written on them from the maker. It is important to label your carton such as Fragile, Do not lay flat or handle with care.