7 Steps How To Pack and Move a Mirror

Mirrors Are Large, Heavy & Fragile – Follow These 7 Tips For Moving and Storing Your Mirrors!

Some items are far more complex to pack than others and should be handled with care when it comes to moving your house. Fragile small items such as glass ornaments or china can be wrapped in bubble wrap or foam and packed into a cardboard box, but how do you transport large fragile items like mirrors and picture frames?

In order to prevent receiving unfavorable consequences such as broken mirrors alongside seven years of misfortune, here are seven tips on how to move mirrors. These guidelines are suitable for every other packing requirement, not simply a big mirror or any other delicate object.

Packing mirrors is quite simple compared to other tasks intricate to moving, with professional movers needing only a single step which is to ensure that the entire mirror is covered. This covers all unframed pictures and large mirrors as well as framed ones. Below are the steps for packing a mirror:

1. Prevent Shattering

Regardless of the mirror packing technique you select, the initial step is to affix a few strips of masking tape onto the surface of the mirror in an X form. This method not only prevents the glass from shattering, but also helps keep the frame protected in the event that your mirror breaks during transit.

2. Protect the Corners

When the mirrors are in a frame, nothing needs to be done to the corners to safeguard them. If, however, the mirror is not framed, buying rubber or cardboard corner protectors from a framing or moving company is a good idea. Alternatively, cardboard can be cut and taped together to form protective covers for the four 90 degree corners of the glass.

3. Cover It with Cardboard

The most convenient option for concealing the mirror is utilizing telescoping picture boxes. This is a type of mirror carton which is a 4 corner adjustable moving box that is flat and adjustable which allows it to house a variety of sizes of mirrors or framed pictures. These boxes have an ideal fit to your mirror which makes its transportation very safe and ensures that there is no dame done to the mirror.

Why Telescoping Picture Boxes or Mirror Cartons?

• Customization: These boxes can be adjusted to the exact dimensions of your mirror, providing a tailored fit that minimizes movement and potential damage.
• Availability: You can find telescoping picture boxes at most moving supply and home improvement stores, making them an accessible choice for anyone preparing for a move.
• Construction: Comprised of adjustable panels, telescoping picture boxes offer flexibility and strength, adapting to mirrors of various sizes and shapes.
• DIY Alternative: If purchasing is not an option, consider creating a similar protective enclosure by repurposing large cardboard boxes. Flatten and cut them to wrap securely around your mirror.
• Padding Tips: Ensure the box is approximately 30% larger than your mirror to allow for ample padding. This extra space is crucial for absorbing shocks and preventing damage.

Using these strategies gives you a way to effortlessly relax while transporting delicate goods. Ensure that when packing for a move, boxes are always secured using packing tape.

4. Cover the Mirrors with Towels or Bubble Wrap, use Moving Blankets

To add extra protection and reduce the likelihood of breakage, cover the mirror with a towel or wrap it in large sheets of bubble wrap. After that, use packing tape to hold everything in place.

When your mirror is adequately cushioned, proceed to prepare the box. At the base, line the box with balled up packing paper to create a padded base. Carefully place the mirror that has been wrapped in the box. Any remaining space within the box should be filled with balled packing paper to avoid movement during transportation. It is crucial to eliminate any spaces in the box as this will enable movement which could lead to damage.

Once the box is sealed, give it a shake and listen to see if anything is clunking around. If you hear something move, then open the box and add additional packing material until everything is snug. Using this method guarantees that padding is in its full position and ready so that the mirror can be shipped safely and with full protection.

5. Use Styrofoam or Cushion Foam Sheets

Foam serves well as packing for mirrors. Add sheets of cushion foam or Styrofoam that is 0.25 inches thick on the front and back of the mirrors. Use packing tape to secure the cut cardboard pieces over the foam and hold them in place.

6. Label It

Whichever packing method you employ for the mirror, remember to affix a label. Make sure to write the word FRAGILE in capital letters on both sides of the mirror so that it is given more care.

7. Load the Mirrors Properly

Always remember that mirrors cannot be left resting face down on the floor of a moving truck. Rather, they should be lifted off the floor with boxes. Take care that the boxes are placed far enough apart so as not to put too much stress on the sides of the mirror which, during the journey, could cause the mirror to shatter.

For more insightful moving tips such as how to pack mirrors for relocation or moving checklists, or to schedule packing services in DC, MD, or VA, please contact Georgetown Moving and Storage at (703) 889-8899 today.

Make Sure There Is No Empty Space In Your Mirror Box

To ensure there’s no empty space in your mirror box and prevent shifting during transit, follow these steps:

• Create a Padding Layer: First, place some sheets of packing paper in crumple form at the bottom of the box. This will act as soft cushioning for the base of the mirror.
• Ensure the Mirror is Placedwith Care: When the mirror is covered with bubble wrap or your preferred padding material (like Duck Brand Foam Wrap), set it in the box over the layer of paper cushion.
• Gaps Should Be Filled With More Crumpled Packing Paper: Ensure that gaps surrounding the mirror are well filled. Make certain that all sides are securely packed to avoid shifting.

By following these steps, you ensure the mirror remains secure within the box, minimizing the risk of breakage while in transit.

What Is The Rationale Behind the Recommendation To Use Mirror Boxes When Packing Mirrors?

When it comes to relocating, one of the most difficult preparations to make is safeguarding your mirrors. At this point, one needs to consider mirror boxes. These boxes have particular features that allow them to be tailored in a manner that ordinary packing boxes cannot.

Custom Fit for Maximum Protection

Mirror boxes are made up of four interlocking pieces of cardboard that can be assembled to create an outer size matching the dimensions of your mirror. This outer custom size prevents excessive movement which, when traveling, reduces damage risk.

Readily Available Options

Being readily available at most moving supply stores and home improvement retailers means that almost any mover can access them. Their popularity makes it simple to get your mirrors ready for transportation.

DIY Solutions

If you haven’t already thrown it out, maybe there is a mirror box you can use, but if there isn’t one to be found, you can always try to make one from scratch. A simple form of resolution which includes taking apart a small number of big cardboard boxes and then resizing them to the size of the box. Just remember, making the box roughly 30% larger than the mirror will make sure there is enough space for adequate padding.

Extra Padding for Safety

The aim with these containers is to pack them in such a manner why protective padding can be incorporated. This additional safeguard will serve as a cushion to absorb any bruising that your mirror might receive due to impact.

In summary, mirror boxes are multifunctional which make them the most practical option for protecting and transporting mirrors. Their practicality makes them great for people who are constantly on the move.

How to Use Painter’s Tape When Packing a Mirror

• Start from the Starting Point: Obtain a quality painter’s tape before you start covering your mirror. This type of tape is most suitable because it clings strongly without leaving unsightly traces which could harm the surface of the fragile mirror.
• Make a secure ‘X’: Position a large ‘X’ mark on the surface of the mirror. Tape is to be stretched diagonally from a corner to the opposite corner while ensuring that there are no air bubbles under the tape.
• Secure the Borders: Edges should always be secured. Use tape on the sides of the mirror, as this will provide extra reinforcement, helping to prevent damage.

The use of painter’s tape minimizes the potential risk of the glass shattering into multiple pieces. Should the mirror break, the tape will serve to contain fragments, thus making it safer to handle.

Why Packing Peanuts Aren’t the Best Choice for Packing Mirrors

The appropriate packing materials are essential to consider when the objective is to protect mirrors during a move. Many people may think of using packing peanuts because they are lightweight and have good buffering traits. However, they are not the best option for mirrors and this is the reason:

• Lack of Stability: Peanuts have inadequate stability as they can easily maneuver throughout the box. Such mobility can cause changes in weight distribution that can leave portions of the mirror unprotected, hence facilitating breakage.
• Lack of Assistance: Unlike sheets of foam or bubble wrap, packing peanuts lack a measure of firm support. Mirrors must be protected in rigid and constant fashion so as not to break, which is not provided by the peanuts.
• Possibility of Scratches: The motion of the peanuts might create some friction against the surface of the mirror and, with time, cause scratches or other surface damage.
• Insufficient Shock Absorption: Mirrors require materials that can dissipate shocks and vibrations. Such materials, like packing peanuts, can compress when enormous force is applied, but their inability to recover is likely to offer lesser protection compared to alternatives which involve the use of corrugated cardboards or foam boards.

Packing peanuts can be replaced with bubble wrap, foam padding, or specially designed boxes for mirrors. These options ensure that your mirror remains safe during transport by stabilizing and cushioning it throughout the journey.

Where Would Mirror Packing Be Best Set Up?

It’s essential to choose the appropriate packing area for your large mirror in order to keep it intact. Surfaces such as a counter top, steady and elevated, work best, along with having enough space to lay out packing materials. The kitchen table is often suggested since it is at a comfortable height for those working as well as providing enough space for packing.

In any case, if there are younger children or pets around, you may be concerned about unintended collisions. For those situations, a separate bedroom that can be closed off may be the better choice. This area has low activity which decreases the chances of the large mirror being disturbed while you are trying to prepare it for the move. The focus should be to identify a location that is convenient, but where the mirror – fragile item would be safe and well protected during the packing process.

Get Help Packing & Moving Mirrors in Washington DC, Northern VA & MD

When it comes to moving quickly and painlessly, Georgetown Moving and Storage has you covered. We are professional mover tht offer full service moving, which includes packing and furniture wrapping, local moving service, cross country movers.

Whether you want us to pack up your entire home or just tackle tricky items like large mirrors, we can customize our relocation services to meet your needs. Our careful, reliable movers are trained in professional packing and furniture wrapping techniques to ensure a job well done. We provide residential and commercial moving services. For packing tips how to provide extra cushioning to the framed picture or framed mirror with moving blanket, contact us for moving quote today!

For any moving services including how to pack mirror, and packing service or local moves here in the Washington DC area, as well as long distance moves across the eastern US, choose Georgetown Moving and Storage. Contact us online or call (703) 889-8899 to learn more about our services or to request a moving boxes free estimate.