Packing your fragile kitchen items is one of the more challenging parts about moving. You want to make sure that they are packed well so you can ensure they will survive the journey to your new home.
When it comes to packing glasses, cups and mugs for the move, all you need is a little effort and a lot of packing paper.
What you will need:
- Small, double corrugated cardboard boxes
Use small boxes instead of large boxes when packing fragile items. Large boxes will get too heavy and may be difficult to move. It is also recommended to use double corrugated cardboard boxes as the additional thickness of the box is better at absorbing any shocks during transportation. - Butchers paper
Otherwise known as packing paper, this is the key ingredient for a well packed fragile box. Tip: Purchase more butchers paper than you think you will need. You can also use bubble wrap as an alternative, but it is more expensive and non recyclable so we recommend butchers paper. Newspapers is also a cheaper alternative, but you will need to wash all your glasses at your new home to remove any ink transfer. - Fragile tape or stickers
Using bright red fragile tape or stickers will make your fragile boxes stand out from the rest of your boxes. This also helps the professional removalists when they are loading the truck so they know at a quick glance to place these boxes at the top of their load. - Marker
Label your boxes so you and the removalists know what items are in the box. This helps the removalists place the boxes in the designated rooms at your new home and also helps you when it is time to start unpacking.
5 Steps To Packing Glasses For Moving
1. Declutter
It is easy to accumulate a lot of glasses, cups and mugs with half being unused so before you start packing them all up, declutter them. Decide which ones you use regularly and want to keep and donate or sell the ones you don’t need. Decluttering will save you precious packing time and money on packing materials.
2. Preparation
A step often forgotten is to make sure the box is taped properly and well reinforced to be able to hold heavy items like your glasses. You don’t want to pick up your packed box and see the bottom collapse with all your glasses falling through. Be generous with the tape and place the tape vertically and horizontally for extra reinforcement.
Crumble butchers paper and place it on the bottom and sides of the box to provide a layer of protection on the floors and walls of the box. Make sure the bottom and all sides are completely covered with paper. This cushions the box and will help protect the glasses or cups if the box gets dropped.
You will want to prepare a clean, flat and solid work surface where you will do the packing. The kitchen counter or dining table are great places to do this. Place the full stack of your packing paper on your workstation so you can begin the process.
3. Wrapping
Begin by putting one glass on an angle in one corner of the stack of packing paper. Roll the glass away from the corner and towards the centre of the paper. As it rolls, stuff the paper into the opening of the glass and wrap the glass until it is completely covered. You shouldn’t be able to feel the edges of the glasses or cups. If you can, use the same technique and wrap the glass again with another piece of paper.
It is important to wrap each glass individually to provide maximum protection and cushioning. The glasses should not be touching each other without enough padding or layering of butcher paper in between them.
4. Stacking
Place the fully wrapped glasses, mugs and cups standing up inside the box beginning with the heavier ones on the bottom and working your way towards the top of the box with the lighter ones. Place scrunched packing paper in between each glass within the box. Make sure there is no empty space or gaps in the box as glasses need to be placed snugly in a box. If there are any gaps, fill them with scrunched paper. You will also need to leave room at the top of the box for scrunched paper just like you did for the bottom and walls of the box.
5. Sealing
Before you tape the box shut, gently shake the box to see if you can hear any shifting or glasses clicking. If you can, find the empty gaps and fill them with more scrunched paper.
Once you’re satisfied with your packing, seal the box closed with fragile tape and label it with an easy to read marker. Note down what’s inside the box and what room it belongs to. This will help with the removalists delivering it to your new home and when you begin unpacking.
If you don’t have fragile tape, seal the box closed with packing tape and clearly label the box as fragile on the top and on two sides of the box. Marking the box on multiple sides of the box helps you see it is a fragile box even when you have piles of boxes stacked on top of each other.
