Don’t let a shattered mirror shatter your moving day
You know what they say, break a mirror and it’s seven years of bad luck. Nobody has time for that, so learn how to pack mirrors for moving instead. If you’re moving across the country (or even just across town), you can safely move your mirror with the right packing technique. How’s it done? Whether it’s a large mirror or a smaller decorative wall mirror, protective packing follows the same steps.
It’s easier to pack mirrors on an elevated surface like a kitchen table, but if you have a large mirror, you may need to clear space on the floor. Either way, start the packing process by laying your mirror face up.
Taping is an integral part of prepping your mirrors to minimize the risk of breakage during your move. Since mirrors are slightly flexible, taping a mirror can help strengthen the glass. If your box shatters, the tape will hold the glass fragments in place so you don’t accidentally cut yourself during cleanup.
To tape your mirrors, grab some masking tape or painter’s tape and follow these steps:
Lay your mirror face-up
Starting from each corner, create a large X with tape
Tape a grid across the entire face of your mirror
If your mirror is round or oval, use your best judgment. Think about where your mirror may bend when you create a tape pattern.
Taping is an integral part of prepping your mirrors to minimize the risk of breakage during your move. Since mirrors are slightly flexible, taping a mirror can help strengthen the glass. If your box shatters, the tape will hold the glass fragments in place so you don’t accidentally cut yourself during cleanup.
To tape your mirrors, grab some masking tape or painter’s tape and follow these steps:
Lay your mirror face-up
Starting from each corner, create a large X with tape
Tape a grid across the entire face of your mirror
If your mirror is round or oval, use your best judgment. Think about where your mirror may bend when you create a tape pattern.
Foam or cardboard corner protectors aren’t only useful for packing mirrors, they’re also crucial for safely packing computers, TVs, and fragile picture frames. Affix the corner protectors on your mirror before you wrap it up.
You can use cardboard as a protective shield that absorbs impact and prevents your mirror from bending, even before you put your mirror in a mirror box. Use your box cutter to cut two pieces of cardboard that are slightly larger than the front and back of your mirror. Tape them to your mirror using packing tape.
Once the cardboard is in place, it’s time to wrap your mirror. The key is to use multiple layers of different materials. Wrap your mirror in a layer of packing paper, and then follow it up with a layer of bubble wrap. Make sure every inch of the mirror is covered, and that the bubble wrap is flush to the surface. You can also wrap your mirror in a moving blanket for additional protection.
After your mirror is wrapped, it’s time to pack it in the mirror box. Use crumpled packing paper to create a layer of padding on the bottom of the box. Slide your mirror into the box, and then fill in any gaps with crumpled packing paper.
Close your box and give it a shake. Does anything move? If so, open it back up and add more packing paper. A properly packed mirror should not move inside the box.
The last step is to tape your mirror box using packing tape. Make sure to reinforce all of the seams, especially if you create a makeshift box out of several moving boxes. Use a permanent marker to label your box “fragile” and “do not lay flat” on each side. This step will ensure that your movers know how to handle the mirror when they’re loading the moving truck.
The cost to hire movers is usually around $25 to $50 per hour for each mover. Most people pay about $1,400 but an out-of-state move can run as much as $10,000. It’s safe to say that you can significantly cut costs if you pack your own boxes, but should you?
Some people prefer to hire local movers to pack mirrors and other fragile items, especially if they’re antique or valuable. Heavier floor mirrors can weigh around 100 pounds, so you may not be able to pack a large mirror on your own.
If you do opt for professional movers, make sure to hire a top-rated moving company near you to avoid taking chances with fragile items.
You don’t want to put anything on top of your mirror when you move it. You also want to limit the possibility that something heavy will fall on the glass and shatter it. For this reason, it’s not a good idea to lay a mirror flat in the moving truck.
Since mirrors are fragile, it’s important to find an experienced moving company that can properly move fragile items. You should always consider online reviews and testimonials. If you don’t know where to start, these tips to hiring the best movers can help.
Most hardware stores or shipping centers have mirror boxes and moving supplies. You can find most of what you need online, but if you’re still having trouble, contact your movers or moving truck rental company. They may sell boxes and packing supplies, too.
The best way to pack mirrors is to use specially padded cartons or boxes made for mirrors. Be sure to thoroughly wrap the fragile mirror in padded paper or bubble wrap before sliding it into its box. That way, there’s a protective barrier in between the mirror and the box. Then, fill in any gaps with crumpled paper or additional packing materials.
