How to Pack Glasses and Plates for Moving

You don’t want your grandmother’s china or an everyday set of plates from Ikea to shatter while you move. Here are some helpful hints to ensure that everything arrives in one piece when you open that box in your new home.

You don’t want your grandmother’s china or an everyday set of plates from Ikea to shatter while you move. Packing glasses for relocating is more difficult than you might imagine, especially because many shapes and sizes exist. Here are some helpful hints to guarantee that everything is in order when you open that box in your new home.

Take your time and be gentle, especially while handling sensitive goods. Contact us for a free estimate if you’d rather leave the packing to a professional moving company! We provide a variety of packing services to meet your specific requirements.

Donate Dishes You No Longer Want Before You Begin

The kitchen is the space that most people spend most of their time in. It is frequently the last room to be packed and the first one to be unloaded. The key to dealing with this area of your home is to keep organized and have a solid plan.

When you start packing for a move, you should take time to review your belongings. You probably have some objects in your kitchen (or any other room in your house) that you no longer want or need. Getting rid of wine glasses or old plates you no longer use will save time and space in your moving truck or automobile. Also, reducing the number of moving boxes you need to transport will make your relocation go more smoothly.

• Invest in adequate packing boxes for all dishes as the first step in packing dishes for moving. Dish pack boxes are double corrugated and stronger than standard cardboard boxes. They are designed to bear the weight of heavy, fragile things. If you have plastic containers or tote boxes on hand, you can also use those.
• Gather your dishes, materials, and boxes in one location, preferably on a flat surface like a tabletop. Use an old blanket and/or some cardboard to protect the table.
• You’ll need packing paper, packing tape, a marker, and bubble wrap if you’re using it. Use newsprint only if you want to wash everything after unpacking; the newsprint will undoubtedly rub off. Extra white tissue paper is useful for wrapping around cup handles and stems of stemware since it is easier to maneuver. When it comes to tape, use packing tape rather than other types (such as duct tape), as they will also not grip cardboard.
• Before you begin, make sure the bottom of the box is tightly secured using packing tape.
• Add a thick layer of crushed packing paper balls to the box. You’re forming a layer that will absorb the impact of any road bumps while your dishes are on their way. This is especially critical for long-distance travel, as the transit time is significantly longer. 
• Music might help to make the work more enjoyable. If possible, incorporate the entire family! Packaging glasses and dishes is a laborious task that would benefit from more hands.

Keep the following ideas in mind when packing: 

• Include plenty of padding. If you’re worried about extremely fragile products, don’t be afraid to use extra packing material.
• A single box should not weigh more than 50 pounds. You could want fewer lighter cartons that are easier to transport and offer extra padding for your dishes.
• Pack tightly so that nothing moves. Empty space signifies no support and the possibility of breakable items colliding.

Bowls and Plates

• Put a plate in the center of the packing paper stack, then fold many layers of paper up around it. Repeat with two additional plates, stacking them. To protect the finish, ensure enough paper between each one. Wrap the entire stack in a couple of layers of paper.
• The same procedure will work with bowls. Most people pack their dishes flat, making them more likely to shatter.
• Place plates in your box on their edges. Put the heaviest objects on the bottom layer, followed by a thick layer of crushed paper balls between levels.

If you don’t have enough dishes of different sizes to construct a layer, try to balance things out as much as possible. You don’t want to make a box that is heavier on one side than the other, as this increases the likelihood of someone dropping it. Anyone who has moved an ancient cathode-ray television would understand!

• Stemware and glasses
• To pack glasses, lay one in the corner of a piece of packing paper lying down. You’ll roll it diagonally in one or more sheets of paper, tucking in the sides to continue to make a protective cushion. Apply a second layer.
• Wrap wine glasses and other stemware like you would a regular glass, but crush the wrapping paper over the stem as you roll and tuck it in the sides to protect it. To protect delicate or valuable stemware, crumple some paper into a wide roll, wrap the roll around the stem, and then cover the entire glass.
• Glassware should be placed upside down in your box (on their rims) – they are stronger this way. They should never be laid flat.
• Glassware should be packed in its own moving boxes. • Use cell dividers (the kind you’d find in a wine or liquor box) to pack glassware. Even if the glass does not fit completely in a cell, the cardboard adds an extra layer of security.

Teapots and Cups

• For coffee and tea cups, wrap the handles, carefully stuff the center, and then wrap the entire cup as stated above for packing glasses.
• Roll up some paper or bubble wrap and wrap it around the handle of a teapot. Repeat for the spout, then place paper balls around it to form a supporting layer. Wrap the entire teapot with more paper to ensure it is thoroughly covered. It’s a good idea to tape the package together. The lid will be wrapped separately.

Fragile Objects

• Pack fragile objects that you absolutely cannot risk losing in a tiny box or carton and place them in a larger box cushioned on all sides with crumpled paper. Consider utilizing bubble wrap to protect sensitive things. There is an additional cost, but it is well worth it for the peace of mind and additional support. 
• The bubble wrap can be reused to mail items or for your future relocation! Fine china can be packaged like conventional plates and cups, but the extra paper should be used on objects that require extra care. A single layer of bubble wrap, crushed newspapers, or packing peanuts can also be used to coat the bottom of the box.

Layering and Finishing 

• Between any layers, add a thick layer of crumpled paper.
• Fill any empty area in the carton, especially the corners, with crushed paper to offer extra padding and keep the contents from shifting about.
• Before sealing the carton, add crushed paper to the top. The top flaps should be flush with the box’s top sides. When boxes are stacked, if they fold in too much, they risk crushing the contents.
• Remember to label your box with an excellent marker. List and identify the contents with the room name so your workers don’t have to guess where it belongs. Ensure that the words “fragile” and “this side up” are visible from all sides.
• When you move the box, you should not hear any noises or feel any weight movement.

Remember, if you can’t replace an item, pack it carefully. You never know when an unintentional dip or pothole-filled road will have an impact.