Light fixtures are very delicate. You have to be extra careful when moving them from one place to another. Moving boxes are your best bet in ensuring the safety of these fragile fixtures. But getting moving boxes often requires extra budget, more time and it also creates the need to recycle after use.
There are many alternatives that will protect your light fixtures while saving you extra cost and time. The next time you need to move your light fixtures, consider some of the following alternatives.
5 Ways to Move Light Fixtures Without a Moving Box
Most of the alternatives are things you already have at home. There’s no need to waste time, effort, and money in buying boxes if you can access them for free.
Suitcases with Wheels
A suitcase with wheels is often the obvious choice when it comes to packing clothes for moving but it can be a good option for moving your light fixtures. All you need to do is line the suitcase with soft materials like blankets, bedsheets, and pillows. Once zipped, you can easily roll the suitcase to the van without damaging your light fixtures.
Wheelie Recycling Bins
Moving your light fixtures without moving boxes seems daunting until you get your hands on the Plastic recycling bin.
Made from tough plastic, Wheelie bins are durable enough to protect your light fixture, and they offer adequate storage space to contain massive chandeliers. They are also waterproof and their shape and sturdiness allow them to fit well inside a moving vehicle.
Whether you choose to use an old wheelie bin or buy a new one, the possibility of reusing it makes it a better option compared to a moving box.
Plastic Totes with lids
Plastic totes are similar to wheelie bins. The only difference is the storage space and wheels. Lining the soft materials around the totes, you can put your light fixtures in the middle. Use another soft material to cover the fragile fixtures before closing the lids. This way, you can move your light fixtures without any hassle.
Laundry hampers and baskets
Long light fixtures like the rustic farm beam or the Chinese modern crystal chandelier may not fit well into a standard moving box, but they do fit in well into a Laundry Hamper and baskets. Just make sure you line the hamper or basket with a plastic paper bag and wrap the light fixtures with many layers of soft protective materials.
Special Lighting Bags
There are many special lights that are uniquely made for carrying lighting equipment. These types of bags are majorly used by photographers and DJs. If you have plans of staying in the new house for a short time or you constantly move with fragile objects, special lighting is a good option for you.
These special bags have 4 to 6 compartments depending on the size. Between each compartment, there’s a foam that keeps each of the lighting items safe. You can easily keep bulbs away from other hard parts of your light fixtures.
Although special lighting bags are costlier than moving boxes, their ability to be reused is a major advantage. You can check out LimoStudio Large Carrying Case Bag with Strap on Amazon.
How to Prepare Light Fixtures for Moving
You are going to learn how to manage the moving of your light fixtures from beginning to end. This will enable you to pack without much stress and find your light fixtures intact upon your arrival at the new destinations. Before delving into the things you need to do before you pack your light fixtures for moving, here are some tools you will need.
- Packing paper and/or newspaper
- Ladder
- Bubble wrap
- Packing peanuts
- A few blankets
- Packing tape
- Foam padding
- Packing peanuts
- Twisty ties (cable ties)
- A plastic zip-lock bag
- Screwdrivers and a pair of pliers
- At least one more person to help you out
1. Moving Chandeliers
Packing the chandelier is perhaps the greatest challenge that comes with moving your light fixtures. The chandelier seems like a bag of trouble. It is delicate yet heavy; expensive but damages easily. Ensuring its safety requires a high level of carefulness. Following the steps below will ensure the safety of your chandelier:
Take down the Chandelier from the ceiling:
- Turn off the electrical circuit before you begin.
- With the aid of the ladder, remove the bulbs and label them.
- Let someone brace the chandelier while you remove the nuts holding it to the ceiling.
- Detach the wires and lower it gently to the floor.
Disassemble a chandelier
- Take a picture to help you remember where each part belongs.
- Take off detachable parts like prisms, candle cups, shades, ornaments, arms, and chains.
- Use bubble wrap to keep each item safe. Add paper wraps to the most delicate parts.
- Roll the wires and cables into a bundle.
Pack up the Chandelier
- Choose the moving box alternative that matches the size of your chandelier.
- Add foam padding inside the container
- Ensure the chandelier sits upright
- Add more soft materials to the container until the chandelier no longer moves when the container is shaken.
- Close the container tightly and indicate “FRAGILE”
2. Packing Lamp Shades
The ambiance of your light fixture lies mainly in the shades. You need to do all you can to ensure it remains intact and stainless while packing. To achieve this:
Clean the lampshades:
The lampshades must have gathered a lot of dirt over time. It’s necessary to clean them thoroughly before packing them.
- Remove dust from shades made of fabrics
- Use soapy water to wash glass and plastic shades
- Give delicate and expensive shades to professionals to clean them.
Wrap the Lampshades
- Soft paper is the best for wrapping shades.
- Avoid newspapers as they can stain the shades
- Use foam sheets or bubble wrap for glass shades
- Hold the wrappings with masking tape.
Packing the Lampshades
- Stack shades inside each other from the smallest to largest.
- Place soft materials on each set of shades as you arrange them in the alternative moving box.
- Fill the remaining spaces with cushioning materials
- Seal the container and mark “DELICATE”
3. Moving Floor Lamps
The challenge that comes with moving the floor lamp is its height. It typically comes with two to three poles screwed together to a round base. Follow these steps to enable move the floor lamps easily:
- Unscrew the lamp into smaller pieces
- Wrap each price in bubble wrap, blankets, or thick towels.
- Put them in any preferred alternative for moving box
- It is advisable to pack the bulbs separately
4. Moving Lightbulbs
Lightbulbs are highly fragile. As ironic as it may sound, the best way to move lightbulbs is not to move them. It is better to donate it to your neighbors or the next occupants of the house.
Moving light bulbs is too risky as they may break. But if you have made up your mind to move the lightbulbs to your new home, here are some helpful safety tips:
- Wrap each light bulb with a bubble wrap and hold them with a masking tape
- Handle LED and CFL bulbs with extra care as they contain mercury and can be a health hazard if they break.
- Arrange them in a well-padded alternative to a moving box you desire. You can use cell kits for wine glasses.
- Ensure the lightbulbs are packed tightly.
Bottom Line
Moving light fixtures with a moving box has always been a popular option but is not always expedient. The alternatives mentioned in this article come in handy when you need to save time and money. What’s more, most of the alternative materials for moving light fixtures are reusable.
