Shortly after you decide that it’s time for a cross-country move, you will realize that one of the most complex wrapping tasks you will face is packing glassware. If you don’t know how to pack glasses for moving, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve made a simple guide that will clear up any dilemmas you might have on this topic.
First of all, if you are worried you won’t know how to pack glasses for shipping, let us tell you this – you shouldn’t worry about relocation mistakes while handling this task from your to-do list if you follow provenly efficient tips we are about to share in this article. Let go of the unnecessary pressure, and enjoy a stress-free move that will end up with all your glassware intact and ready to be used for toasting the move to a new state.
How do you pack glasses for moving? This is one of the most commonly researched questions when preparing for a move to a new city. The same dilemma surrounds other kinds of dishes, and it brings up a lot of anxiety about the move for plenty of people. Believe it or not, some even spend more time researching packing tips for this task than choosing a relocation company or a car shipping company.
Still, there’s no reason to panic. You can effortlessly organize your move and make it a great one – all you have to do is be focused on the work ahead and have a clear plan in mind. That’s the exact reason why writing lists is considered to be one of the ultimate relocation hacks. So, in the spirit of being organized, we’ve divided the task ahead of you into five steps that are easy to follow and will undoubtedly help you achieve the most efficient move yet.
As anyone who has moved before can tell you, nothing good can come out of wrapping fragile items such as glassware without the correct packing materials for this task. Obviously, you can’t just throw a glass in the box and call it a day. We’ve written down all the items you will need to use to safely protect your tableware and move out of state with you.
Cartons with divided compartments are the perfect way to move glassware, and if you can get your hands on a few of those, we urge you to buy them. Unfortunately, they aren’t as easy to find as regular ones, but you should still try – it will make the task of wrapping glassware way easier. Pro tip – visit your local liquor stores, they may have an extra package or two they want to get rid of. This is one of the most common tricks to get free supplies.
Hold on, you’re not ready to wrap your belongings yet. There’s one small step before the wrapping part that you mustn’t skip. If you do, there is a slight possibility that your glassware will end up shattered on a sidewalk after a box falls open. And who would want to risk that? Don’t worry, this is a pretty straightforward job.
Now is the time to welcome high-quality tape to the scene. Preparing a package to be filled with heavy objects such as glassware means taping the bottom. It would also be good if you taped the sides – somewhere between the bottom third and the bottom half of the package should be taped on all sides.
If you do this, the chances of your package falling open are around 0%. After you do this, place a layer of paper on the bottom of the package, and it’s all ready to welcome carefully wrapped glassware. Now let’s see the wrapping techniques you should apply.
So, we have finally arrived at the essence of this task. How do you pack fragile glasses for moving? By now, you should be familiar with the basics of wrapping. You have probably already packed some of your belongings after choosing the right movers to keep your packages safe and a reputable auto transport company to move your car (whether by an open trailer or the other option – enclosed carrier). So, let’s see what is so special about glassware and how to ship it across the country in one piece.
Gather all your supplies at the kitchen table – you will need a flat surface big enough for this job. Then, lay a layer of paper on the table, and put an item that will be packed on it. We suggest placing your glassware on its side because the following steps are rolling it until it’s covered with paper and tucking the edges inside.
Then, fill the inside of the glassware with any padding materials you like – papers work best, and you already have them at hand. After you have repeated this process for what seems like a million times, all your dishware will be packed, and your kitchen will finally be empty. Now, all you have to do is clean it before you move out – check out the video below to see how to scrub your kitchen from top to bottom like a pro.
Stemware is particularly delicate compared to your “regular” glassware. That fancy stem you love to hold at parties while drinking fantastic wine can be a bit of a nightmare in this case. But we’re sure wrapping stemware won’t be one of the things you forget to do when you move – you will want to toast the success of your move after an exhausting relocation day, right?
So, what to do? It’s easy – you will still be using papers. Be sure to cover the stem first and then work your way to the stemware’s bowl. Also, remember that you shouldn’t leave the stemware empty – crumbled papers will do the job.
We’re getting closer to the big finish. Your next task is placing wrapped glassware into the carton. It seems like no big deal at first, but keep in mind that you still have to be careful, no matter how many papers you have wrapped your glassware in. Although your dishes breaking during the move probably won’t be enough of a stress to cause you depression after the move, why be careless? No one wants to go shopping as soon as they finish unpacking after the move because they have nothing to drink from.
So, follow this essential rule: heavier glassware should go at the bottom of the package, and lighter pieces should go at the top. Once you arrange everything neatly, all that’s left to do is fill the residual space with padding materials such as styrofoam peanuts or crumbled papers (if you have any left after wrapping everything). Then, seal the package by taping it, and you’re good to go. If you fill each package this way, there’s very little chance anything will be broken.
One tiny note – every package should be labeled. This rule applies to everything you want to move. If you skip labeling, you will have a lot of trouble looking for your stuff after an exhausting relocation day. Imagine looking for your pillow because you are exhausted but keep finding random things like books or dog toys (if you are relocating with a pet). Of course, maybe you will have luck and quickly run into what you’re looking for if you downsized for a move correctly. But, still – why risk it when you can simply label packages? It’s not hard work.
If your trustworthy movers will load the truck for you, then you don’t have to worry about anything. On the other hand, if you have chosen to do it yourself, here’s a piece of advice. The best way to load glassware, and dishware in general, is to leave those packages for last.
They should be on the top of a pile made out of your household belongings. That way, nothing can crush them during the long ride. If you can, put them between two pieces of furniture – that will keep the packages from tumbling around.
After reading our five steps for transporting glassware safely, we’re sure you feel less anxious about this task. Honestly, it’s not as difficult as it seems – if it’s done correctly, everything will turn out fine, and your fragile glassware will arrive at your home in perfect condition. Here’s to hoping you will enjoy many more toasts with these dishes you are about to prepare for a cross-country move.
