How to Pack Glassware for Moving

When it’s time to move, you want your possessions to arrive safely at your destination.

It’s worth taking the time and effort to learn how to pack glassware for moving. With the right supplies and packing methods, you’ll be enjoying coffee from your favourite cup in your new home. 

Tip 1 : Keep Only the Glassware You’ll Actually Use

Moving is usually the best time to consider having a clear-out and declutter. With this in mind, you’ll need to decide which cups, glasses and dishes you want to keep.

For the ones you think you can move on, there are a few ideas you can consider :

• Why not sell or give away that stemware set and those plates that you haven’t used for ten years? You’ll save time packing and spend less money on boxes and packing supplies.
• Consider a backyard or garage sale. Not only can you make a quick buck but it als means you dont have to throw any good plates or glassware away.
• Advertise on platforms such as Gumtree for any potential buyers for your glassware
• Donate them to a charity.

Tip 2 : Gather Packing Supplies

Choosing the right packing materials is as important as properly packing the glassware. You can purchase the following supplies from a removalist company.

• Double-corrugated medium-size moving boxes
• Packing paper
• Cardboard dividers (optional)
• Bubble wrap (optional)
• Wide packing tape
• Packing tape dispenser
• Permanent marker

Make sure you use new, high-quality materials to pack your glassware. Old, used boxes can compress and fall apart easily. New cardboard boxes will hold together during the move. Large boxes can become too heavy when packed, so use medium-sized boxes.

Packaging tape, unlike masking tape or duct tape, will withstand the wear and tear of moving. A tape dispenser will help you apply the tape firmly and evenly. White packaging paper, unlike newspaper, will not leave ink marks on your glassware.

Tip 3 : Assemble the Boxes

Properly assembled moving boxes will protect your glassware from breakage during the move. Tape the bottoms of each cardboard box securely with strong, wide duct tape. Use the duct tape dispenser to apply the tape across the bottom and one-third of the way up the sides of the box.

Tip 4 : Prepare the Boxes

During transport, your glassware will need to rest on a soft bed of packing paper or other moving supplies. Line the bottom of each moving box with a six-inch layer of crumpled packing paper.

Don’t be afraid to use plenty of paper. It’s better to invest in packing paper now than to find ruined glassware when you arrive at your new home.

Tip 5 : Wrap Each Item Individually

Each glassware item must be wrapped individually in a protective layer of packaging paper.

Before you begin wrapping, clear a space on a table or other flat surface that is a comfortable height for you. Place a stack of packing paper on the surface. Whether it’s glasses and cups you are wrapping, stemware or plates, it is important to properly wrap each item.

Glasses and Cups

Place the glass or cup on its side on the stack of wrapping paper. Insert some of the top sheet of paper into the open end of the glass. Roll the glass in the paper, winding the paper around the glass as you go. Tuck the ends into the open end of the glass and secure with packaging tape.

If you have bubble wrap, you can stuff crumpled paper in the opening of the cup and then roll the cup in bubble wrap.

Stemware

Stemware and crystal need extra protection against breakage. Double-wrap these pieces in packing paper, or bubble wrap, using the method described above. Make sure there is adequate cushioning.

Seal the package with packaging tape. You can even wrap the stem part of the glassware in an additional layer of paper. It is better to be safe than sorry, so be generous with the packing paper.

Plates

Place a plate, right side up, in the centre of the stack of packing paper. Pull up the corners of the paper and wrap the paper around the dish, using as many sheets as necessary for cushioning. Fold and tuck in the ends of the paper and secure with packaging tape.

How to Pack Glass Shelves

Depending on how far you are relocating to, shelves made out of glass has to be handled with the upmost care and extreme caution.

• Put on gloves to protect your hands
• Remove the glass shelves from the furniture unit
• Protect the glass shelves with packing material

Remember, glass shelves can be extremely fragile, especially expensive China shelving and if dropped are most likely going to shatter into many pieces. You will also want to be wary of bumping your glass shelf into anything as this can scratch or even crack the delicate glass.

You will also want to be cautious of the risk of injuring yourself when attempting to pack / move a glass shelf. For example glass shelves ar most likely going to be quite heavy and if you drop it onto your foot, then it’s going to hurt.. a lot.

The other danger is jagged edges, which can cut your fingers or hands. Due to this and as a rule of thumb, when packing away a glass shelf, you should wear gloves.

Finally, another reason why it pays to be extra careful when packing glass shelves is that it can be expensive to replace if damaged. You are going to want to avoid any hefty price tags for replacing any shelves if possible!

To pack glass shelving you can consider using the following materials

• Bubble Wrap
• Packing Paper
• Blankets
• Cardboard

Tip 6 : Place Glassware in Boxes

Careful planning is a must when it’s time to pack your glassware. Always place the heaviest, most durable pieces at the bottom of the cardboard box. For glasses, cups and stemware, cardboard dividers add extra protection by separating items and preventing movement.

If you don’t have dividers, don’t despair. You can stack glassware, as long as you place enough crumpled paper between the items.

Generally, you should stack pieces that are all the same size. For mugs and other sturdier items, you can set smaller pieces inside larger pieces to save space.

Stack same size plates on their sides in your boxes. Plates that are stacked flat are more likely to break.

Keep placing the wrapped glassware in the box until you have about 3 inches of space at the top. Stuff crumpled paper or bubble wrap between stacks and in the empty spaces at the top and along the sides of the box. You don’t want to leave any room for movement or contact between glass items. When you are finished, the box flaps should easily close without straining.

You can even double-box stemware and other extra fragile items. Line a larger box with crumpled paper for extra padding. Place the box that contains the glassware inside the larger box.

Remember that a removalist may stack your boxes several boxes high. Empty space in a box can cause compression and damaged glassware, while overfilling a box can cause the bottom to fall apart. Each box should feel firm, with no depression when you press down on the top.

Tip 7 : Tape and Label Boxes

Seal each box shut with wide packaging tape. Draw the tape along the opening and one-third of the way down the side of the box. Run more tape parallel and perpendicular to the first strip of tape.

Using a permanent marker, write “fragile” and “this side up” on all sides of each box. Label the contents of each box to save time when you unpack at your new home. Be specific with your labels. Write “coffee cups” or “juice glasses” instead of just “cups” or “glasses.” Moving is difficult enough without searching through boxes of stemware for your child’s cereal bowl at breakfast time.

Packing glassware is a slow, methodical process, but the results are worth the effort. When you unpack in your new home, you’d be glad to see your glasses, cups and dishes safe and sound.

We hope you found our guide on how to move glassware useful, for more packing tips, why not read a few more articles:

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• How to Move A Fridge
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• How To Move A Grandfather Clock
• How To Move A Washing Machine
• Change of Address Checklist
• Moving Checklist
• Interstate Moving Costs
• Moving Calculator
• Transporting Plants
• Interstate Moving Calculator
• Transporting Plants
• Things To Buy For A New House Checklist

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Need Professional Help?

As with all heavy and difficult objects, it’s always best to let the experts handle them you. Our Sydney removalists have the tools, trucks and experience to move your mattress safely and without any hassle. Just give us a call and we’ll do the rest.

Here are a few services that offer that you could take advantage of :

• Van With A Van
• Packing Services in Sydney
• Last Minute Removals
• Piano Removals
• Cheap Removals
• Interstate Moves
• Removals Insurance
• Small Removals
• Fragile Removals
• Long Distance Removals
• Backloading

References

https://www.kentremovalsstorage.com.au/moving-tips-and-tools/how-to-pack-cups-and-glasses-for-moving

https://www.thespruce.com/pack-dishes-glassesware-moving-1908937

https://www.thespruce.com/pack-glasses-goblets-and-cups-2436482

https://www.marthastewart.com/1530555/how-to-pack-dishes-when-moving