How to Pack Fragile Glass And Dishpacks

Supplies Needed to Pack Dishes Safely

Don't just toss dishes into old Amazon boxes and hope for the best! These essential supplies make it easier to pack fragile dishware safely and securely, including:

• Packing paper: Cushions breakables during the move and keeps items from shifting. Newspapers or towels can work as a substitute.
• Packing tape: Ensure you have plenty of tape for tightly sealing boxes and securing packed bundles.
• Dish boxes: Choose moving boxes designed for fragile items. Regular boxes can work in a pinch, but make sure they're on the smaller side. The more room the items have to rattle around, the easier they can break.
• Bubble wrap: Those plush plastic bubbles are great for keeping your dishes and glassware safe.
• Permanent Markers: Label boxes with phrases like "Breakable" or "Fragile" so your movers know to be extra careful with kitchen staples.
• Labels: If you don't plan on unpacking immediately, consider writing family members' names, designated rooms, or other identifying information on packed boxes.

You may also find it helpful to keep a measuring tape nearby. Before you cram fragile items inside boxes, check the dimensions of your breakables to ensure you pick the right-sized moving boxes.

How to Safely Pack Teacups

Teacups are pretty fragile. Their dainty handles are prone to cracks and breaks when packaged poorly.

They also don’t stack very well, as you can see in the photo. Putting one cup on top of another is awkward and bound to topple. So, what's a tea lover to do? The solution is simple: just turn one teacup upside down!

When you flip one teacup over, the curvature and handles naturally fit together instead of being forced into an awkward stack. This creates a small, secure bundle that's ready for a trip to your moving box.

Easy, right? Don't forget to use plenty of paper so your teacups are adequately padded.

You can also pack teacups separately — no flipping needed! Wrap each teacup in several layers of crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap, then tape the protective layer in place. Consider adding wads of crumpled packing paper to the moving box to prevent cups from knocking into each other.

How to Safely Pack Glass Beer Mugs

Beer mugs are thick and heavy, which means they might survive even the worst packing jobs. With that being said, it’s still a good idea to keep those more delicate handles out of harm’s way. So here are a few practical packing tips to help you protect those beloved beer mugs.

Fill each mug with wadded packing paper or bubble wrap. Wrap several layers of bubble wrap or packing paper around each mug, crumpling or fanning the layers around the beer mug's handle. This provides extra protection. Secure your padding with tape.

Place the beer mugs upright in your packing box.When it comes to packing, less isn't more, so fill empty spaces with generous wads of paper or bubble wrap.

Place a layer of bubble wrap over the top of your beer mugs, especially if you plan on stacking additional mugs on top. When you're done packing, make sure your mug box is tightly sealed with a thick layer of tape.

How to Safely Pack Pint Glasses

Like beer mugs, packing pint glasses can make even the most seasoned movers nervous. These glasses lack handles, but they don’t always fit inside each other. Trying to force a stack could end in chips, cracks, or a handle breaking off entirely.

Placing pint glasses side by side (two per bundle) makes for a pretty solid piece as you build your dish pack. Don't forget to fill each glass with crumpled paper first!

Secure your paper-wrapped pint glass (or glasses) with packing tape, then place glasses side by side in a packing box. If you prefer, you can also pack each paper-filled pint glass individually.

To finish your packing project, add plenty of crumpled paper, bubble wrap, or wadded dish towels to the box. The less wiggle room there is, the less chance anything breaks.

Additional Tips and Reminders

One key takeaway about packing fragile items is that tightly bundling teacups, pint glasses, or mugs works well, but there are still ways to add even more protection.

After you wrap breakables in a few sheets of packing paper, take each bundle and wrap it in a couple more sheets. This adds a surprisingly strong second layer of protection and stability when you pack fragile glass and dishpacks.

Even with this enhanced protection, keep those well-padded teacups near the top of your dish pack. Your bundles might rival a bastion in sturdiness, but they’re still made of glass and ceramic.

Play it safe, and don't bury breakables under heavy kitchen appliances like your air fryer or blender. You want your fragile dishes to arrive in one piece — and with a little extra care, they can.