How to Pack Glasses When Moving in Brooklyn

Your kitchen is home to the most challenging tasks when packing for your much-awaited relocation. It's one thing that everyone faces.

When preparing to move your kitchen items, you must take special care of your fragile items- like your precious glasses. They're the number one thing that's prone to cracks and breaking. This is a nightmare if you've spent years collecting these items or if they're an inherited set.

But you don't need to worry anymore. We're giving you a foolproof guide to transforming your kitchen worries into kitchen fun!

Materials for Packing Dishes

Before you begin, remember that packing glasses or other glassware using large boxes is not recommendable. You're only asking for trouble if you do this. Instead, use medium boxes. That way, you can control the movement of the items inside and distribute the weight evenly. This will prevent your glasses from shifting too much and breaking in the process.

Here's a complete list of packing supplies you'll need:

Medium-size boxes
Packing paper or newsprint, towels, or bubble wrap
Packing tape
Marker

What To Avoid?

Now that you know what you'll need let's move on to what alternative packing materials you should avoid using.

Suitcases

Packing glasses using your suitcase or travel luggage is not recommendable for two reasons. There's a higher chance that your glasses will break because they bounce around as you move.

Newspapers

We know that newspapers are the go-to packing material for many people. But we're here to tell you that there are better ideas than this when packing your glasses. The ink from the newspaper can easily rub off and transfer onto your glasses.

Learn How to Wrap and Go About Packing Glasses

Now that you know what to prepare and avoid using, you're now equipped for packing glassware!

Protect Your Box First

First things first, your boxes must be sturdy. You'll be packing fragile materials, so ensure they don't get damaged along the transport. Place a towel or wrapping paper at the bottom and sides of the box for padding. This will act as a cushion and absorb any shock-absorbing potential damage during transport.

Wrap Tightly

You must wrap each item tightly. These items can easily get untangled during transit and may be damaged along the way.

If you want extra protection, use bubble wrap, but don't overdo it. Too much bubble wrap can also be bad for your items as they might get crushed.

Fill In Empty Spaces

Pack your items closely in the boxes. Make sure there is no gap or empty space between them, as these can cause rattling and shaking during transport. Fill up every gap with packing paper, towels, or bubble wrap.

Label Items

Finally, make sure to label your boxes. Use a marker to write “Fragile – Glassware” on each box. This way, your movers will know the precious cargo in their hands and take extra care while moving it around.

Labeling also prevents any confusion once you reach your new home!

How to Pack Dishes For Moving

Now that you know how to pack your glasses, it's time to move on to the next kitchen item- dishes!

Similar to packing glasses, you'll need medium-sized boxes for this task. You'll also need paper or newsprint, towels or bubble wrap, packing tape, and a marker.

Before packing your dishes, make sure to wash them first. This will help prevent any dirt or grime from transferring during the move. After washing, make sure to dry your dishes thoroughly. This will help to avoid any watermarks or streaks on your dishes.
To wrap your dishes, use packing paper or bubble wrap. If you're using packing paper, choose the unprinted side to avoid markings on your dishes. You can also use a clean dish towel or an old shirt to wrap your dishes.
When packing plates, make sure to pack them vertically. This will help to avoid any chips or cracks. To do this, use packing paper or bubble wrap. If you're using packing paper, choose the unprinted side to prevent markings on your dishes.
Then, do the same thing- like what you did with your glasses. Fill in empty spaces with packing peanuts or other alternatives. Then, label them as “fragile” and “dishes.”

How to Pack Glasses

Packing glasses is slightly different from packing other dinnerware. When packing these items, you'll need to be extra careful as they are made of thin and fragile material.

Here's how you pack your glasses, mugs, and cups.

Before you start placing your glasses inside the box, make sure to line the bottom with packing towels or bubble wrap. This will be a cushion in case your glasses break during the move.
You can also wear clean, old clothes as an alternative. Make sure your box is sturdy enough to withstand the weight. This is especially when you're reusing old boxes.
Wrap each item individually and tightly. This will help to avoid any chips or cracks. To do this, use packing paper or bubble wrap. If you're using packing paper, choose the unprinted side to avoid markings on your glasses. You can also use a clean dish towel or an old shirt to wrap your glasses. Just make sure that there are no loose fabric pieces that can get caught in between the glasses and cause them to break.
Once you've placed all your wrapped glasses inside the box, it's time to fill in the empty spaces. This will help to avoid any movement during transport. You can use packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or bubble wrap. Just make sure that they're not too big that they can damage your glasses.
The last step is to label your box accordingly. This will help you (and your moving company) know that the box contains breakables. You can use a marker or labels to do this.

How to Pack Wine Glasses

Wine glasses (or any stemware) are more fragile than regular glasses, so it's important to take extra care when packing them.

The best way to pack wine glasses is to use a wine box. These boxes are designed specifically for wine glasses and are padded to protect them during transport. You can use a regular box if you don't have a wine box. Just make sure to line the bottom with packing towels or bubble wrap.
First, place a wine glass on packing paper or any alternative piece of sheet horizontally. Then, grab the corner of the paper and carefully roll the glass into the paper. When doing this, ensure you tuck the paper's sides- like how you wrap burritos. Continue doing this until you're at the end of the paper. Do the entire process 3-5 times, depending on the thickness.
It's highly recommended to use cardboard inserts for extra protection. Wine glasses are not something you can carelessly stuff inside your box. After you've wrapped each glass, place them in the box standing up. Make sure to fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts or crumpled-up paper to avoid movement during transport.
Securely tape the box and label it as “fragile” and “wine glasses.” This will help you identify what items are inside so they don't get mixed up with other heavy items that might damage them during transport.

How to Pack Plates, Bowls, and Platters

Plates, bowls, and platters (porcelain or not) are packed separately from other glassware because they're heavier and require more protection. And with their shape, they're more likely to break if packed together with other glassware.

When you pack glassware items like this, you will need more packing material.

Plates are wrapped differently. Unlike glasses, plates can be wrapped together (up to 4). To do this, stack four packing papers on top of your table.
Then, place a single plate on the stack and grab one packing paper. Fold it over the plate and pick the next plate up and fold another paper over the plate again. Do this until you have four plates stacked.
Then, tuck the plates neatly so they form a bundle. Then grab a few pieces of packing paper and wrap them to secure.
You can use packing tape or string to secure the bundle. After that, do the same thing with your bowls and platters.
After packing all plates, bowls, and platters, place them in your box. Make sure the box has paddings.
If you have two layers of these items, separate each layer with clothes or towels.
Tape the box and layer as “fragile” and “plates,” “bowls,” or “platters.”

How to Pack Pots and Pans

Pots and pans are some of the heaviest items in your kitchen, so it's essential to pack them correctly. Most of the time, these items must be packed using medium to large-sized packing boxes. While glasses and fragile items need packing paper, pots and pans do not. But when it comes to glass lids, you need to protect them with packing paper.

The first step is to scrunch-up newsprint or newspaper and put them at the bottom of the box. Remember not to crumple the paper into tight balls since it will not provide any cushion.
Once the pots and pans are clean and ready, start putting them inside the moving boxes. Stack them into groups of three. To do this, nest small ones inside large ones. Separately wrap and pack their lids.
As mentioned, wrap glass lids with packing paper or dish towels.
Then, proceed by filling boxes with pots and pans and putting lids on a separate moving box.
If you have other soft materials and moldable kitchen stuff, fill them inside the spaces of pots and pans. This will make sure they refrain from aggressively shaking and moving during shipping. Use extra packing material if necessary.
Tape the box and label it with “Kitchen.” You also have to put what items are inside. For glass lids, make sure to put “fragile.”

How to Pack Small Appliances

As mentioned, your kitchen is usually the trickiest to pack. But when packing small appliances, you can start breathing in relief. They're relatively easy to pack. You only have to follow a few things.

Small appliances like blenders, toasters, and coffee makers must be packed differently. First, remove all the removable parts, e.g., cords, and wrap them separately in packing paper or newspaper. This prevents them from scratching the appliances and from getting lost during transport.
Next, get a medium-sized box and line it with packing peanuts. Place your appliance at the center of the box, ensuring it's secured. Cover the appliance with a few clothes or towels if you want extra protection.
Make sure there are no gaps and the item is snugly covered. Fill the empty spaces with more packing peanuts to hold everything in place.
Finally, tape the box and label it as “small appliances.”

How to Pack Other Kitchenware

Other kitchen items need special attention. One of them is your knives- your sharps. They need proper packing because they can cause accidents, i.e., physical injuries, and may damage your other items.

Knives are put on their covers when you buy them. But if you happen to throw them away before packing, you can individually wrap them in packing paper supported by a dish towel.
Secure it with a rubber band so it doesn't untangle during transport. Then, firmly wrap them together using a plastic cling to prevent them from colliding inside.
After putting them inside the box, label it with “Sharps” or “Knives.”

There are also miscellaneous items you need to pack. Utensils, baking items, and other kitchen equipment must be wrapped separately with packing paper or towels. Put them inside the box and label them “Utensils” or “Miscellaneous Items.”

Final Thoughts

There are lots of things to consider when you relocate your home. You have to declutter, and you have to deal with the most time-consuming activity- packing.

Packing glasses for a move can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. All you need is to be creative and think of ways to pack your valuable items safely and securely.

And that's it! You now know packing tips and tricks for your move. Just remember to be extra careful when unpacking and handling them. We hope this guide was helpful. Good luck!

FAQs about Packing Glassware

Should glasses be packed upright?

No, glasses shouldn't be packed upright. Fragile items must be packed on their sides with extra cushioning materials.

Should glasses be packed upside down?

Yes, glasses should be packed upside down. This will protect them from any sudden movement and keep them safe during the move. Also, ensure you securely wrap each glass using bubble wrap or packing sheets for extra protection.

Why should you avoid stacking glasses?

Stacking glasses can cause them to break or chip. It's best to keep each glass separate and securely wrapped with cushioning materials.

Why do people store their glasses upside down?

Storing glasses upside down helps protect them from dust and potential breakage. It also ensures that the contents don't shift if there's an abrupt change in direction while they're being transported.