When preparing for a move, there are many things that can be quite fragile. However, most people seem to have the most problems with kitchenware. In fact, plates and glasses are items that frequently break during the moving process. However, this does not have to be the case. There are tried and true ways for how to pack plates and glasses for moving that will greatly decrease the likelihood that you’ll have any broken items when you start unpacking. Let’s take a look at some tips for how to pack these items.
Plates & Dishes
Of the two types of major kitchenware items, plates are perhaps the most straightforward to pack. However, there are some common mistakes that people make that can lead to items breaking. Here are some best practices for packing plates and dishes.
Use Small Boxes
It is understandable that it may be tempting to want to cram as many things as possible into one box. After all, it feels like you’ve accomplished so much. However, this is one of the easiest ways to end up with broken dishes. Instead, you should strive to use relatively small boxes which are easier to structure when packing.
Reinforce Your Boxes
There are certainly specially made boxes which are designed to hold dishes. However, these boxes can be quite expensive in price. Thus, most people opt for standard cardboard boxes. Rest assured that cardboard boxes are perfectly fine for packing plates and dishes. However. It is critical to provide some additional stability by reinforcing them. Be sure to tape the bottoms to add some structure.
Wrap Dishes Individually
It is important to provide protection to your dishes by individually wrapping them. You can use packing paper or even newspaper for this. You just want to be sure that the paper you use is large enough to completely wrap a dish. The process is relatively straightforward. Simply place a plate in the centre of a piece of paper and wrap it up. Then proceed with the next one and stack it on top.
Stack Plates and Turn Them on Their Side
As you continue to wrap your plates, stack them on top of each other. Most people have enough plates of the same size to make fairly good stacks. Next, it is time to box them up. A common mistake that is made is to simply set the plates on the bottom of the box. However, this is not the most structurally sound way to pack them. Instead, turn the stack of plates on their side and place them in the box. Plates on their side can withstand greater impacts, which means they are less likely to be broken.
Fill Crevices with Paper
Ideally, you will have large enough stacks to span the width or length of a box. However, regardless of how you pack, you will still likely have space left in your box. The solution to this is to fill gaps and areas of space with crumbled up paper. This will provide additional stability and shock absorption for your plates and dishes, further protecting them against breakage.
Glasses
Next, let’s discuss the process of packing glassware. A number of these steps are somewhat similar to the process of packing plates and dishes. For example, you will want to also use small boxes for your glasses, and you will want to provide additional support to those boxes by taping the bottom. However, there are a number of other tips and tricks for how to pack glasses for moving.
Wrap Glasses with Paper Inside
Much like plates, you will want to use paper to wrap around each individual glass to provide protection. However, you will also want to ensure that you put some paper inside each glass to provide a bit of extra stability and protection. Glasses are by far the most brittle of the kitchenware that you will be packing. This step is important for their protection.
Consider a Buffer Layer
If you are packing glasses in a box all by themselves, it can be useful to make a buffer layer of crumbled up paper. About three or four inches will be sufficient. This gives additional padding which helps protect your glassware from unexpected shocks that may result if a box is dropped or tossed around unexpectedly.
Consider Packing Glasses on Top of Plates
If you have some extra room near the top of a box of plates, this can be an effective place to pack your glasses. Since glasses are the lightest weight of kitchenware, they will want to be placed near the top of the box. Be sure that you have a firm layer below them which may involve placing some bubble wrap or crumbled up paper. Then set the glasses at the top, on their sides.
Wrap Stems for Wine Glasses
When we think of packing glasses for moving, we typically focus on traditional cups and large glasses. However, packing glasses with stems such as wine glasses requires a bit of extra preparation. In addition to the tips listed above, you will also want to carefully wrap the stem with paper or, ideally, bubble wrap. This is because the stems are much more delicate. Giving them extra support is critical.
Final Thoughts
Packing your plates and glasses for moving does not have to be a difficult endeavour. While these items are some of the most brittle that you will pack, there are clear ways to prepare them for transport that will keep them from breaking. Following the tips above will help ensure that your kitchenware arrives in good shape. However, if you’d rather skip the stress altogether, you can simply hire our professional movers to pack up your fragile items for you. We provide excellent service and can meet your moving needs whatever you desire. Contact Rent-A-Son, Toronto’s Best Movers and Moving Services for a free consultation anytime.