Tips for Safely Packing Glasses During a Move

Diane E. Schmidt is a relocation specialist with a wealth of personal experience, having relocated more than 28 times. Her journey has taken her across four countries, through 10 cities, two towns, and a seaside village.

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 1 to 2 hours
• Overall Duration: 1 to 2 hours

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: $0 to $20

Regardless of whether you’re relocating to a different city, leaving your state, or simply moving to a nearby neighborhood, it’s important to handle your various possessions with care to guarantee they reach your new home safely. Although you may opt to hold a garage sale to eliminate items you prefer not to transport, many kitchen essentials typically accompany you on your move. This is particularly true for items like drinking glasses, which you will likely need immediately upon settling in.

Mastering the art of packing fragile items is a quick process that can significantly safeguard your delicate glassware and ceramic mugs during the move. Here are some of the most effective methods for packing glasses, mugs, and cups to ensure these essential kitchen items arrive at your new home intact.

Prior to Starting

Selecting Containers

Consider seeking out gently-used boxes and packing supplies. Boxes can be reused multiple times. When packing mugs and glass items, opt for a medium-sized box instead of a larger one, as the latter can become cumbersome and difficult to handle. While a divided box with a cell pack can be beneficial, it is not a necessity.

Prior to starting your packing, examine the boxes you plan to use. Ensure that the bottom is securely sealed with tape. The last thing you want is to meticulously pack your fragile glass items, only to see them crash to the ground due to a box that can’t hold its contents.

Tip

Request boxes from liquor stores, as they are generally more durable than typical boxes and can withstand significant movement during the relocation process without harming the contents.

Packaging Supplies

When preparing fragile items for packing, seek out materials such as packing paper, newspapers, bubble wrap, or any soft fabric that can securely encase each glass or group of glasses. If these materials are unavailable, hand towels can serve as a suitable alternative.

Keep in mind that bubble wrap is not only difficult to recycle but also costly to purchase. There are alternative materials that are free and equally effective. If you opt for old newspapers, be cautious, as they may leave marks, necessitating a wash of the glasses upon their arrival at your new place to remove the black ink.

Requirements for Your Task

Devices / Instruments

• Marker
• Scissors

Materials

• Moderately sized containers
• Wrapping paper, newspapers, used towels, or bubble wrap.
• Adhesive tape for packaging
• Dividers for boxes (optional)

Instructions

Tips for Safely Packing Glasses During a Move

When packing glasses, place the heaviest items at the bottom of the box and the lighter ones on top. Each glass should be individually wrapped in packing paper or bubble wrap before being placed in the box. To provide extra protection, include additional packing material both beneath and above the wrapped glasses.

Get the Box Ready

When utilizing packing paper or newspaper, scrunch up a sufficient number of sheets to line the base of the box. This scrunching will create a cushioning effect, safeguarding the glasses from making contact with the bottom, and offering protection in the event the box is dropped. If towels are your choice, ensure that the bottom layer is thick enough to shield the items from any jolts.

Encase Large, Weighty Glasses

Begin by wrapping and packing the largest and heaviest glasses first, as they will be positioned at the bottom of the box, with lighter glasses placed on top. Find a flat, clean surface and spread out your stack of packing paper or towels. Take a glass or mug and position it at an angle in one corner of the packing material. Begin rolling the glass or mug, and as you do, tuck the ends of the paper or towel into the opening of the glass. Continue wrapping until the glass is fully covered.

Wrap Stackable and Comparable Glasses

Organize glasses, cups, and mugs by categorizing them into similar size groups. Utilize scissors to divide packing paper or bubble wrap into halves for smaller items. For larger sheets, you can conserve packing materials by wrapping two glasses together with a single sheet, which is most effective when the glasses are of the same size.

• Glasses of identical dimensions: Adhere to the previous guidelines. After wrapping the first glass and utilizing half of the sheet of paper, place the second glass beside it and proceed with the wrapping. Tuck the paper ends into the opening.
• Stackable cups: Insert a thin layer of packing paper into the first cup, then fit another cup inside it. This method allows you to stack several cups together. Once stacked, wrap the entire assembly in packing materials, securing the ends inside the top cup.

Encapsulate the Initial Layer

Once your glass or glasses are securely wrapped, tuck the ends at the bottom to form a snug package. At this stage, the edges of the glass should be completely concealed. If you can still feel the edges, consider adding an additional layer of wrapping, especially if the glass has a handle or a pronounced lip.

Complete the Container

Arrange the wrapped glasses in the box, positioning the heavier ones at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. If the box has dividers, they should fit comfortably in the designated sections. To secure the items and minimize movement during transport, include some packing material. In the absence of dividers, lay the wrapped glasses in organized rows, adding extra packing paper or bubble wrap between each piece to reduce the risk of damage.

Tip

If you possess plastic cups, you can utilize them to store wrapped glass items within. Certain delicate objects might fit perfectly into bigger cups or tumblers. This method offers additional cushioning to safeguard against impacts while relocating.

Encase Wine Glasses

To prepare wine glasses for relocation, begin by wrapping the stem first. Take a half sheet of paper to cover the stem, then position the glass on the paper stack and continue rolling the remaining paper around the glass. This method provides optimal protection for the most delicate section. It’s important to wrap each stemmed glass individually. When packing, these glasses should be the last items placed in the box, allowing ample space for additional padding at the top.

Softening the Upper Surface

Ensure there is space at the top of the box for packing materials. As you near the top of the box, include crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap. Try to match the amount of packing material you place at the top with what you used at the bottom. If you are incorporating towels or similar items, make sure to leave enough space for a substantial cushioning layer on top.

Inspect and Secure the Package

Prior to sealing the box, give it a gentle shake to ensure that you don’t hear any glass clinking or feel significant movement of the items inside. Once you are satisfied with how everything is packed, securely close the box with packing tape and attach a label indicating the contents and the designated room. Be sure to label the box as Fragile: glassware to alert the movers to handle it with care.

What materials are best for packing glasses during a move?

Packing paper and bubble wrap serve as excellent options for safeguarding glassware and other delicate objects. A practical approach is to first wrap the item in packing paper and then encase it in bubble wrap, securing it in place with tape.

What are some methods for packing glasses for a move without using paper?

If you find yourself without packing paper for your glasses, consider using towels, newspaper, or bubble wrap instead. When using towels, it’s best to select smaller ones, such as hand towels, to wrap each glass separately.