How to Pack Glasses for Moving (Plus Tips for Other Breakables)

The things inside your kitchen cabinets are not typically what to pack first when you’re moving, but eventually, you have to pack everything — including your fragile dishes and breakable glasses. But do you know how to pack glasses for moving? You’ll need the right cushioning materials, sturdy moving boxes, and the right packing technique. Keep reading for all the details.

How To Pack Glasses for Moving — Step-By-Step

You might know exactly how to pack clothes for a move and generally have a handle on how to pack boxes for moving, but how to pack glasses for moving is a delicate art of its own. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide for doing it the right way.

A key in how to pack glasses for moving: Make sure you have high-quality tape to firmly secure your boxes.

1. Gather Packing Supplies

The first step in how to pack glasses for moving is to make sure you have the right supplies to keep your breakables safe and secure before you pack them up.

Packing Paper

Packing paper is non-abrasive, so it won’t scratch your glasses, and you can use it in different ways — layered for wrapping and crumpled up for cushioning and filling in gaps.

Bubble Cushioning Roll

If you're wondering how to pack glasses for moving without paper, bubble cushioning roll is your best bet. Those air-filled bubbles are great for absorbing shock during transit. That said, it’s more costly than packing paper, so try this: Wrap your glass in paper, then add a layer of bubble cushioning roll for extra protection.

Double-Walled Boxes

A small to medium-sized double-walled box is ideal for packaging delicate glassware. If you reuse old boxes, just be sure to use strong tape to close up the bottom and sides and make certain the box is sturdy enough to hold the weight of your glasses. Remember: If your box breaks, the glass could break.

Packing Tape

Invest in high-quality packing tape — not flimsy adhesive that might come undone at any moment. When it comes to how to pack glasses for moving, you don’t want that box opening up until you decide to open it.

Markers or Labels

To ensure anyone carrying your glass-filled boxes keeps your breakables safe, make it clear that the contents are fragile by marking the box “fragile” with permanent markers or giant moving labels.

2. Prepare the Box

It’s an easy step to overlook, but before you start loading up your double-walled boxes, you want to do a couple of things to them. First, secure the bottom with heavy-duty packing tape. Second, create a shock-absorbing layer on the bottom of the box by laying down some bubble cushioning roll.

As you roll each glass, fold in the excess packing material on alternating sides until it's tightly wrapped.

3. Wrap Your Glasses.

Now it’s time to wrap your glasses so they don’t break. Here’s how:

• Place the glass on its side at one corner of a packing paper sheet and roll it forward to wrap it snugly.
• As you roll each glass, fold in the excess packing material on alternating sides until it's tightly wrapped.
• Secure the paper with tape.
• For added protection, stuff the inside of the glass with crumpled-up paper before rolling it, and/or add a secured layer of bubble cushioning roll outside of the paper-wrapped glass.
• Repeat with all of your glasses until your cabinets are empty!

4. Layer the Breakable Items

How you layer your glassware in the box depends on the shapes of the items. If they’re all the same shape and size — a matching set of drinking glasses or glass tumblers, for example — you may be able to stand them up, side-by-side, in the box. You may even be able to do a couple of rows in one box.

If they’re different shapes, the best use of your space may be to put them on their sides. And if you have a few smaller pieces, like shot glasses, those can just be interspersed throughout. Make sure weight is distributed evenly, and all gaps are filled with cushioning so the glasses don't shift in transit. When the box is sufficiently full, add another layer of cushion, just like you did at the bottom of the box. That way, it’s supported on all sides.

Clearly label boxes containing glassware as fragile to help protect items during a move.

5. Securely Tape and Label Your Boxes

You’re done! Now you just need to use that heavy-duty packing tape to make sure the box is properly sealed and indicate on all sides that it’s fragile. It’s also a good idea to indicate which side is up.

Specialty Tips for How To Pack Glasses for Moving

Now, what do you do if you want to pack a mixture of items in one box? Let’s take a look at how to pack wine glasses for moving, as well as some other common dishware.

Wine glasses with stems require additional cushioning to prevent them from breaking in transit.

Packing Wine Glasses

Even if you don’t have many to pack, knowing how to pack wine glasses for moving is essential. Here’s how to pack wine glasses for moving without dividers:

• Add extra cushioning around the stem (the same goes for any items with delicate pieces, like mugs or vases with bases) — enough layers to make the wrapping nearly the same width as the drinking glass.
• Put crumpled-up paper in the drinking reservoir.
• After securing that cushioning, wrap the rest of the glass like you would any other. Then, for even more protection, add a layer of bubble cushioning roll around the wrapped glass.

Packing Plates

Individually wrap each plate to prevent them from knocking against one another. Then, tape them together in a stack and place them vertically in the box, as if you were loading them into a dishwasher. Add stuffing to the box as necessary, so the plates stay secure and separate from the glassware.

Packing Bowls

Individually wrap each bowl, as well, and place them sideways in the box. To avoid breakage, don’t nest one inside another.

Packing Less Fragile Kitchenware

If you have items made of durable materials, like stainless steel, you don’t have to treat those as gently. For example, you can stack some plastic cups together before wrapping them and nestle some stainless steel mixing bowls together in the bottom of a box. Use your best judgment about durability; just make sure the largest and heaviest items are on the bottom of the box.

Extra Tips To Keep In Mind

Here are a few additional packing and moving tips to keep in mind when figuring out how to pack glasses for moving.

• Consider doing a declutter before moving to get rid of any glasses you’re not using.
• Place heavier boxes at the bottom of the moving vehicle and keep delicate ones at the top to prevent them from being crushed.
• You can also use towels, clothes, and linens as padding inside boxes to protect fragile items. And, hey, that’s less to pack, right?
• Imagine you’re packing glasses for shipping when you’re packing your moving boxes with breakables — they’ll be picked up, put down, and jostled around, and you should use the same level of care.

How To Pack Glasses for Moving — FAQs

Q: What's the best way to pack glasses when moving?
A: Although it may not seem like it, the most efficient way to pack glasses for moving is carefully wrapping each one in packing paper and/or bubble cushioning roll. Make sure they stay intact during transport by placing heavier, larger objects at the bottom of boxes. Use small to medium-sized double-walled boxes, and make sure not to pack them too heavily, as that could lead to dropping and jeopardizing the fragile items inside!

Q: Should you pack glasses standing up or laying down?
A: Some uniform glassware can be packed in an upright position — and even stacked in rows, if properly cushioned. However, if you’re packing a box with glassware of various sizes, packing the items on their sides may make the best use of space. But remember: It won’t matter how you pack them if they aren’t properly padded.

Q: How to pack glasses for moving without paper?
A: Bubble cushioning roll can be pricier, but it’s the best alternative when you’re wondering how to pack glasses for moving without paper. If you don’t have access to that either, you can use towels or linens to wrap your fragile items.

Q: Is it better to wrap glasses in paper or bubble cushioning roll?
A: Really, the answer is both. Packing paper is generally less expensive, so you should use it to wrap most glassware. For thin-stemmed wine glasses, delicate vases and mugs, and to line the bottom of your moving box, though, a layer of bubble cushioning roll works best.

Q: How to wrap up glassware when moving?
A: Wondering how to protect your glasses when moving houses? Glasses should be individually wrapped and surrounded by cushioning in sturdy boxes to help ensure they’re protected from damage when traveling.

Make Your Move Flexible With PODS

Make your move to a new city (or even around the block) flexible with PODS portable moving containers. One month’s storage is built into the cost of every move, so you can take your time unpacking all of that delicately wrapped glassware. Need additional help with your move? PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services to help pack up all your glassware (and everything else).

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}