Moving is stressful enough without worrying about fragile items like glasses getting damaged in transit. To help you protect your glassware, we’ve put together this guide on how to pack glasses for moving. We’ll cover some of our top tips to help you ensure that your glassware and any other fragile objects make it to your new home in one piece.
Our top tips for packing glasses for moving
Make an inventory
If you’re deep in the packing process, you’ve probably already got a good grasp on what glassware you have on hand. If not, now’s a great time to take note of the different sizes and styles you’ll need to pack up for the move.
Doing this will give you a good idea of the packing products and materials that will best protect your glassware. You’ll then be able to make a shopping list and start shopping around for materials. This is a great way to save a bit of money, as you can potentially buy in bulk or use the same packing for different items. You might also find you’ve got things you can repurpose to help protect your glasses, or you already have leftover materials from packing away other items.
Making an inventory is also a good opportunity to remind yourself of what you have and get rid of anything you don’t want to take on the move. You could donate any unwanted items to op shops, sell them on places like Facebook Marketplace or at a car boot sale, or gift them to friends and family. Clearing out a few glasses before packing can save time, space, and maybe even a little bit of money.
Sourcing packing materials
Different glasses have different packing needs, so you might want to grab a combination of these based on the types of glassware you have.
Strong cardboard boxes
Gather some sturdy cardboard boxes that can safely handle the weight of your glasses. To keep your glassware secure, you can purchase boxes that have dividers built into them. This will maintain space between your glasses so they won’t knock together during transit. For smaller glasses, you may still need to add a bit of protection between the dividers themselves.
Dividers
If you can’t find boxes with individual dividers already built in, or if you have a lot of boxes you want to reuse, you can buy the dividers separately and add them to your boxes. You could also make your own using leftover cardboard.
Packing tape
Make sure those boxes are secure with some quality packing tape. You might also want to invest in a tape dispenser to make securing larger boxes a breeze.
Newspaper
Newspaper is traditionally thought of as the packing material for fragile items such as glasses. It’s certainly a great option if you’re looking for something cheap that you likely already have on hand, but be wary of the ink transferring onto your glasses.
Packing paper
You can opt for packing paper instead of newspaper to avoid any ink transference. Packing paper often comes in large rolls, so it’s easy to purchase in bulk. And, given our very online lives these days, it might actually be easier to come by than newspapers!
Packing peanuts and other protective materials
You can use packing peanuts (or a similar product, such as bubble wrap, shredded paper, or air pillows) to minimise the space between your glasses. This will help stop them from moving around as you lift and transport the boxes. Some people are wary of using traditional styrofoam peanuts due to their impact on the environment, but environmentally friendly options are sometimes available.
How to pack glasses for moving: step by step
- Set up in a clean space to work in.
- Wash all your glasses and dry them thoroughly before packing them away. These first two steps will ensure your glassware stays clean and does not pick up any extra dust or dirt you’ll have to deal with on the other end.
- Secure the boxes with strong tape and line them with packing paper or bubble wrap
- If you have dividers, pop them in the box now
- Wrap glasses with packing paper and place them in the box
- Fill any space between glasses with packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or more paper
- Seal and label the box
Packing tips and tricks
Here are a few more general packing suggestions you’ll want to consider when packing glasses for moving!
A good rule of thumb when packing almost anything is to place heavier items at the bottom of the box. This is especially important for fragile pieces such as glassware. Place larger pieces at the bottom and carefully arrange lighter, more delicate glasses on top.
If you have glasses that stack, you can stack them for packing and save a little space. Just wrap them individually, stack them together, and place them in the box. Because these glasses will always be in contact with each other, it’s important to secure them so they don’t rattle around and move during transit. This will help prevent cracks and chips.
If you don’t want to fork out for materials such as packing peanuts or packing paper, you can use fabrics such as blankets or towels to line and protect your glasses. Not only will this save money, but it will also save space, as you’re packing two items at once.
Most of our glassware packing tips can also be applied to other fragile objects, such as ornaments, plates, and collectibles. Packing materials are also very versatile, so you’ll be able to use any leftover paper or bubble wrap elsewhere.
Label your boxes to make unpacking easier. You’ll thank yourself on the other end.
And, of course, there’s the golden rule: don’t overfill or overstack your boxes. One false move and it could all come crashing down – quite literally!
Ready to start packing?
Hopefully, you’ve found some valuable tips and trips on how to pack glasses for moving. If you need further packing advice, check out our guide to packing for a storage container. Or, if you’re making a big move, give our moving interstate checklist a read!
References:
- January 2023, “Step By Step Guide To Pack Glasses For Moving”, Move My Stuff
- July 2022, “How to Pack Glasses When Moving”, The Spruce
- 2018, “How to Pack Cups and Glasses for Moving”, Kent Removals and Storage
