Moving internationally is a huge undertaking. There’s so much to think about and plan for that it’s easy to overlook the little things. But even small details can make a big difference in whether or not your relocation is successful. So if you are wondering how to pack glasses for moving, you came to the right place. Here are some professional tips you can follow.
When you’re packing up your belongings for a move, it’s important to take extra care with delicate items like glasses. Glasses are especially vulnerable to breakage during shipping, so it’s essential that you pack them properly. Here are some of the best relocation tips shared by professional packers.
How to Pack Glasses for Moving – Start by Obtaining the Right Supplies
No matter if you are moving overseas or down the street, obtaining the proper supplies is a crucial part of an organized and efficient move. Not to mention that packing glasses and other fragile items without proper material can only lead to a disaster, especially if you are moving abroad. No matter if you opt for international moving by sea or air, you must count on that your belongings will be tossed around by the customs service at least.
If you start early and know exactly what you’re searching for, finding appropriate supplies isn’t that tough. You, therefore, need to be familiar with the dimensions and number of the products you wish to pack as well as the appropriate containers. So the best way to pack glasses is to buy the right boxes and excellent protective materials – here is what you will need:
- Moving boxes for glasses,
- Bubble and plastic wrap,
- Cushioning,
- Labels,
- Duct tape,
- Packing paper,
- Towels and sheets.
Prepare Boxes for Packing Glasses
If you’re using paper, crumple up a few sheets and cover the bottom of the box, whether it’s packing paper or newsprint. The crushed paper will act as a solid cushion to prevent the glasses from smacking into the box’s bottom and to safeguard them in case it is dropped. Make sure the bottom layer is thick enough if you’re putting sheets or towels to shield the items from bumps.
Don’t Forget About the Padding
Add a layer of packing paper that is several inches thick before placing the plates and glasses in the box. That will give them a bit of extra padding and lessen any impact when the box is transferred or when placing it down onto a hard surface. If you want to have an efficient move and, most importantly, to prevent things from breaking, good cushioning is the first lesson you need to pass on how to pack glassware for moving.
Big and Heavy Glasses Should Go First
Relocating across the world probably means you will have to pack your entire household. So before you start packing glassware, make a plan and separate all the fragile items into different categories. For example, ceramic pots and dishes should be separated from champagne glasses. Another rule you should follow is to place heavy items first. Why? Well, it’s simple physics. If you place lighter items on the bottom of the container, the heavier items will crush them. So, then, how to pack glasses for shipping?
First, make a table or a counter a workspace for the task and put your preferred packing material (towels or a stack of paper) on it. Then, take a mug or glass and place it at the angle in one corner of the wrapping material. As the glass or mug begins to roll, tuck the paper towel or other material’s ends inside it. Wrap around the glass until it is all covered. And then place it in the box. Take a look at this video and see how to pack fragile items like a pro.
Also, Identical Glasses Should Be Wrapped Two at a Time
This relocation tip is excellent for two reasons. The first one is that your pair of glasses will be folded together, so unpacking will be much easier. And second – you will save paper or other materials while packing. Take a larger paper sheet and wrap one glass using half of the sheet, then place the second glass and place it on the sheet as well. Wrap the second glass with a remaining sheet and tuck both glasses. Keep in mind that this trick is not recommended when packing wine glasses because it may lead to breaking.
Stemmed Items Go Next
If you are worried about how to pack wine glasses for moving, don’t worry – there is a rule and moving hack for that too. The most important thing is to first wrap the stem in the paper and then the rest of the glass. Wrap the stem in a half sheet, set it on the stack of paper, and begin rolling. By doing this, the glass’s most delicate portion is well-protected. Additionally, what was said before does not apply here – each stemmed glass should be wrapped alone and not in pairs. Also, you should always place these glasses last in the box to leave plenty of room for additional padding at the box’s top.
Use Sectioned Cardboard Boxes
If you have a lot of wine glasses, invest in a couple of cardboard-sectioned boxes. These boxes are sectioned with cardboard inside, making perfect smaller containers for your wine glasses. These cardboard sections will prevent glasses from crashing into each other while moving. But even with these containers, make sure you wrap each item before placing it inside and add a layer of cushioning as well.
Don’t Forget to Put a Cushion on the Top
One of the most common relocation mistakes people make is that they forget to place extra layers on their fragile items. No matter if you are packing plates or wine glasses, this step is important because it will prevent things from moving inside the box and crashing into each other. Make sure the box is not overstuffed and that there is space at the top for additional packing materials. Make sure you fill the box with the same quantity of crumpled paper at the top as you did at the bottom. Leave space to create a thick layer on top if you’re using towels or other materials.
When the Boxes Are Properly Filled With Padding, Seal Them
Even if you are relocating at the last minute, make sure you don’t miss any steps because it will save you from any additional relocation stress in the end. So even if this is your first move, make sure all your belongings are properly packed. Shake the box lightly back and forth before you close it. There shouldn’t be any clicking of the glass in the container or noticeable moving of its contents.
When you are satisfied with how everything is packed, tape the box shut and mark it, indicating what is inside and which room it belongs in. Always label the package “fragile” so that the movers will take extra care of it.
Write Fragile on Every Box
One of the things people forget to do when moving is to label their boxes. And you are probably thinking that you will know where all your belongings are when you start unpacking. Well, you will most likely have a hard time finding anything if you don’t label your boxes properly. But this step is important not only for your easier unpacking but also for movers and customs workers. If you write “fragile,” they will then deal with those boxes with extra care. Also, it would be kind if you wrote “heavy” on every heavy box – this way, you will prevent potential back injuries both for you and your workers.
You Can Also Hire Professionals to Help You
As you can see, packing glasses and fragile items is complicated and demands a lot of attention from you. But still, if you have time and patience, you will manage to do it alone. But on the other hand, moving internationally is a demanding process – you will have to get documents for traveling, find a place to live, seek a new job, and even learn new languages, and on top of that, you need to worry about how to properly pack wine glass. If you feel this all will be too much for you, do not hesitate to hire a professional international moving company to help you with your packing.
Even if you are relocating on a low budget, you can always take a partial packing service and pay professionals to only pack your fragile items. Furthermore, if you truly want to see the real benefits of moving, hire movers for full moving services and let them finish everything for you. That will allow you to deal with other things, such as contacting expat communities in your country of choice or organizing important documents that you will have to bring with you.
If You Have Extra Cash, Spend It on a Custom Crate
When searching for an international moving company, make sure you pick the one that can offer you all the services you need, such as car shipping, packing, and storage. And if you have a lot of valuable items like antique vases or mirrors from the 14th century, make sure you also find a company that can provide you with custom crates. With a custom crate, you will get a box or container made to fit your valuable items in size and shape. If you are looking for the most secure way to ship your belongings, there is no safer way than this option.
You can order crates for small or big items, no matter what shape they are. And what is great about this option is that this crate will stay in your possession, and you will be able to reuse it on other occasions as well. If you have a larger budget, you can order a custom crate for all your fragile items and ship them in the most secure and safest way.
With the Right Tips, Your Move Will Go Smoothly
Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about your fragile belongings. By following these simple packing tips for glasses, you can rest assured that your move will go smoothly and your glasses will stay in one piece. If you’re looking for a stress-free moving experience, be sure to hire professional movers who have the experience and know-how to get the job done right.
