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Don't Curse Yourself With Bad Luck! Learn How To Properly Prep And Move Your Mirrors

It is said that if you break a mirror, you will have the misfortune of receiving seven years of bad luck. If you are moving to a new home, the last thing you want is to start off on the wrong foot by cursing yourself. Taking the time to properly pack, load and transport a mirror can help prevent this from becoming your fate. Here are the steps you should follow to properly move your mirrors from one home to another.

Cleaning Your Mirrors

The first step to preparing your mirrors for a move is to thoroughly clean them. Dirt, dust and other particles can become caked on the mirror if they are exposed to heat or sunlight during a move. This can make these particles difficult to move and can even cause the mirror to become cloudy. Follow these directions to properly clean your mirrors:

1. Mix one part vinegar with four parts cool water in a spray bottle to create your own mirror cleaning solution. Alternatively, you can use your preferred mirror and glass cleaner, such as Windex.
2. Spray the cleaning solution directly on a lint-free cloth. Rub the solution into your mirror in a circular motion until the entire surface is clean.
3. Dampen a Q-Tip with the cleaning solution. Rub the cotton swab between the mirror and the frame to remove any dirt and dust trapped between these surfaces.
4. Buff the mirror with an old piece of wadded up newspaper or a clean cloth. This will remove any leftover streaks or smudges.

Preparing Your Mirrors For a Move

Once your mirror is clean, it is ready to be prepped for the move. The steps you take to prepare it will help to protect it during transport. Follow these steps to properly prep and pack your mirror for a move:

1. Use masking tape to place a giant "X" on your mirror. A long piece of tape should extend from the upper left hand corner diagonally to the bottom right hand corner. Then another piece of tape should extend from the upper right hand corner diagonally to the bottom left hand corner. If your mirror is large, you may also want to place a "t" on the mirror. Place a piece of paper horizontally across the middle of the mirror and vertically down the center of the mirror. If your mirror does shatter during a move, the masking tape helps hold the pieces in place so the mirror frame is not damaged and no one cuts themselves on the glass.
2. Purchase corner protectors from a moving supply store and place those on the corners of the mirror. If you are on a tight budget, cut your own corners for the mirror out of cardboard and use tape to shape them.
3. Lay a piece of cardboard behind the mirror and in front of the mirror. Ideally, both pieces of cardboard should be a couple inches longer than the height and width of the mirror. The cardboard helps protect the mirror and the frame from scratches.
4. Wrap bubble wrap around the cardboard and mirror. This helps hold the cardboard in place while also protecting the mirror during transport. If you don't have bubble wrap, extra blankets or towels can all be wrapped around the mirror to pad it. Use shipping tape to secure the padding in place.
5. Slide the mirror in a box. Moving companies sell telescoping boxes that will fit mirrors perfectly. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can use a regular box by finding the closest-sized box that will fit your mirror and adding styrofoam or packing peanuts to prevent the mirror from shifting.
6. Lastly, label the box with the words fragile on it. This will help remind yourself or movers that there is a breakable item in the box and to move it with care.

Transporting a Mirror

After your mirror is prepped and packed, it can be transported. Loading a mirror properly into the moving truck will help keep it safe. When loading the mirror, you want it to be standing up, not lying flat. It is also wise to lay it on its longest side, rather than the shortest one, as doing so can balance its weight better. Fragile items should be loaded last so they can be removed first. And your mirror should be kept in a secure part of the truck, away from boxes or furniture that may shift and smash it during transport.

Mirrors can be damaged if they are improperly moved. And superstition states that this can cause you to have seven years of bad luck. If you are moving yourself, the above tips will help you to safely transport your mirror. However, if you don't want to chance it, a local moving service can help you prepare and move your mirrors, ensuring bad luck is not in your future. Check it out for more information.