Preparing To Move With A Doll Collection? Learn How To Pack And Move Them

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Properly packing your belongings is key during a move. Failing to do so can cause your belongings to become damaged. This is especially important when you have items that have sentimental and/or monetary value. If you are a doll collector, you will want to ensure the dolls are properly packed so they don't lose their value, or so you don't damage dolls that can't be replaced. Here are ways to properly prepare different types of dolls for a move.

Boxed Dolls

If you have collectible Barbie dolls or vintage dolls still in the package, you need to pack the item to preserve the condition of the box and the doll stored inside. Follow these directions to prepare a boxed doll for transport:

  1. Wrap the box in a layer of acid-free tissue paper. This type of tissue paper is made without the acids and colors that can tarnish, discolor or leave behind residue that can damage an old or valuable box. As you wrap the box, ensure the tissue paper overlaps and tape the piece together where it overlaps. Never tape the tissue paper directly onto the box, as the tape can be damaging to the box.
  2. Next, wrap the tissue paper wrapped box in a layer of bubble wrap. Make sure the bubble wrap is tight around the corners and edges of the box.
  3. Line a box with a thin layer of packing papers, bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Lay the cushioned doll flat in the box. Fit the dolls into the box so that they are snug enough that there is little movement, but not so snug that they squish each other. Fill in any gaps in the box with wadded up packing paper, packing peanuts, or other small, soft items you need to pack such as socks, dish towels or wash cloths.
  4. Seal the box and be sure to indicate it is fragile. When loading up your moving truck, keep the boxes on the top of your box stacks. Boxes filled with heavier items, such as dishes or winter sweaters may squish the box of dolls if they are placed atop it.

Porcelain Dolls

Porcelain dolls are extremely fragile. Not only can the porcelain the head, arms and legs are made from crack or break, but the moving eyes can also become damaged if the doll is not prepared for a move. Follow these directions to pack your porcelain doll for a move:

  1. Remove the wig or hair from your doll's head. Most wigs are simply glued into place, so you should be able to gently lift it upward to remove it. If needed, moisten the glue with warm water until you can lift the hair away from the doll's head.
  2. Once the lid is removed, you may notice an uncovered opening in the head of the doll, or you may notice what looks like a trap door on the head, called the pate. If the opening is uncovered, skip this step. If there is a pate, you will need to open it. Try to gently lift the door. If it opens, move on to the next step. If it doesn't open, it is likely glued shut. Run a small serrated blade along the edges of the door's outline to remove the glue and get it to open.
  3. Stuff the inside of the doll's head with tissue paper or newspaper. Do not over stuff the head or you can cause cracking while stuffing it. Fill the head with enough tissue paper so that it is filled and the eyes no longer open or close.
  4. Place the pate back into position.
  5. Wrap the head, arms, and legs individually with two layers of bubble wrap. Then wrap the doll as a whole in a layer of bubble wrap.
  6. Place the doll in an appropriately-sized box that has been lined with bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Fill in any gaps between the doll and the box with bubble wrap, packing peanuts, towels or t-shirts to prevent the doll from shifting during transport.

If you own a doll collection, you will want to properly pack your dolls to ensure they don't become damaged. Learning how to do this can help you to do it on your own. However, if you don't feel comfortable packing irreplaceable collectibles on your own, or you don't have the time, a professional moving or relocation service can assist you, so look at more info into local moving companies and their expertise with collectible and fragile items. They can properly pack your dolls and transport them so they end up in your new home in the same condition they left your old home in.


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