Of all the items to pack when moving house, few cause as much anxiety as a large mirror. It’s heavy, awkward, and incredibly fragile. The thought of a seven-year curse is bad enough, but the reality of a shattered, expensive mirror and a mess of sharp glass is far worse.
But here’s the good news: with the right materials and a proven technique, you can pack and move any mirror, big or small, with confidence. Many people also choose to hire professional removalists for added peace of mind, especially when handling delicate or oversized items. Forget the bad luck; this step-by-step guide will ensure your mirrors arrive at your new home in one perfect, reflective piece.
Why Proper Packing is Non-Negotiable
A mirror’s greatest weakness is vibration and concentrated pressure. A small bump in the moving truck or a slight knock against a door frame can send a shockwave through the glass, causing it to crack or shatter. Proper packing isn’t just about covering the mirror; it’s about creating a rigid, shock-absorbing shell around it.
Gather Your Packing Arsenal
Don’t even think about using an old doona and hoping for the best. Investing in the right supplies is a small price to pay to protect your mirror. You can get everything you need from a hardware or storage store like Bunnings.
- A Mirror/Picture Box: This is the MVP. These are specialty, heavy-duty cardboard boxes that are flat and often adjustable (telescoping) to fit your mirror perfectly.
- Bubble Wrap: You’ll need plenty.
- Packing Paper or a Soft Blanket: To protect the glass surface.
- Cardboard Corner Protectors: These are cheap and provide critical reinforcement to the most vulnerable points.
- Strong Packing Tape: Don’t use cheap stuff; you need high-adhesion tape.
- A Permanent Marker: For very clear labelling.
- Flat Cardboard Sheets (Optional): Useful for extra protection if you don’t have a specialty box.
The Big Myth: What NOT to Do
You may have heard the old trick of putting a big “X” of masking tape across the glass. This is a myth and it’s a bad idea. The tape does absolutely nothing to prevent the mirror from breaking. Its only purpose is to hold the glass shards together after it has already shattered, making it a nightmare to clean up safely. Skip the tape on the glass.
Step-by-Step: The Foolproof Mirror Packing Method
Follow these steps precisely for a smash-proof result.
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Lay a soft blanket or a large, flattened cardboard box on the floor. This gives you a clean, padded surface to work on and protects both your mirror and your floors.
Step 2: Protect the Glass Surface
Lay the mirror face down on your prepared surface. If the mirror is frameless or has a very delicate frame, lay a sheet of thin foam or clean packing paper over the glass first to protect it from any potential scratches from the bubble wrap.
Step 3: Wrap it Generously in Bubble Wrap
Wrap the entire mirror, frame and all, in at least two to three layers of bubble wrap. Imagine you’re wrapping a birthday present. Ensure the corners are well-padded and secure the bubble wrap snugly with packing tape.
Step 4: Add Corner Protectors
This is a pro tip that makes a huge difference. Slide a cardboard corner protector onto each of the four corners of the wrapped mirror. This reinforces the points that are most likely to take an impact.
Step 5: Create a “Cardboard Sandwich” (Optional but Recommended)
For extra rigidity, especially for large or frameless mirrors, this step is fantastic. Get two large, flat pieces of cardboard that are slightly bigger than your mirror. Place your bubble-wrapped mirror onto one piece, then place the second piece on top. Tape the two pieces of cardboard together tightly around the mirror. You’ve now created a rigid, protective shell.
Step 6: Box It Up
Carefully slide your wrapped and protected mirror into the mirror box. If there is any empty space inside the box, fill it with crumpled packing paper or soft towels to ensure the mirror is snug and cannot shift or slide around. A snug fit is a safe fit.
Step 7: Seal and Label Like a Pro
Tape the box shut securely along all seams. Now, grab your marker and label it on both sides in big, clear letters:
- FRAGILE – MIRROR
- DO NOT LAY FLAT
- HANDLE WITH CARE
Draw arrows pointing upwards (↑) to indicate which way it should be stored and carried.
The Final, Crucial Step: How to Transport a Packed Mirror
How you carry and place the mirror in the moving truck is just as important as how you packed it.
Always, always, always transport a mirror on its edge, vertically.
Never lay a packed mirror flat. When laid flat, it becomes a large, flexible surface. Every bump in the road will cause it to flex and vibrate, putting immense stress on the glass. When it’s on its edge, it’s much stronger and more rigid.
In the moving truck, slide the mirror in on its long edge. Wedge it securely between two soft, heavy items like a mattress and a couch back, ensuring it cannot tip over. Tell your removalists it’s a mirror so they handle it with extra care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t find a mirror box?
If you can’t get a specialty box, the “cardboard sandwich” method becomes your primary protection. After creating the sandwich (Step 5), you can wrap the entire thing in a moving blanket and secure it with tape. This is a decent alternative, but a proper box is always best.
How do you pack a round or oddly shaped mirror?
The process is the same. Wrap it in bubble wrap, paying extra attention to padding the edges. A square mirror box will still work; just be sure to fill all the empty corner spaces inside the box firmly with packing paper so the round mirror cannot move.
How do you pack a very large, heavy wall mirror?
This is a two-person job. For extremely large mirrors, you might need to build a custom crate from plywood for maximum protection. However, for most large residential mirrors, a heavy-duty, telescoping picture box combined with the cardboard sandwich method will work. If you’re at all unsure, this is one item where it might be worth paying for professional packing services.
Can I pack a mirror in a blanket instead of bubble wrap?
A blanket is better than nothing, but it’s not as effective as bubble wrap. Blankets provide a soft surface but lack the shock-absorbing air pockets of bubble wrap. The best method is to use both: a thin blanket or paper against the glass, followed by generous layers of bubble wrap.