How to Pack Breakables for a Move

Don't toss your good china and crystal willy-nilly into boxes - unless you prefer them smashed to bits. Here's how to get those breakables safely to their destination.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boxes
• Storage Organizers
• Newspaper
• Newspaper
• Insurance
• Bubble Wraps
• Markers
• Packaging Tape
• Packing Peanuts
• Markers
• Boxes

1. Place a layer of cushioning - wadded up newspaper, bubble wrap or packing paper are good - at bottom of box.

2. Loosely fill insides of mugs, glasses and vases with cushioning.

3. Wrap each item separately in cushioning.

4. Layer pieces neatly inside box using plenty of filler (more crumpled newspaper or foam peanuts).

5. Leave room for another layer of cushioning at the top of the box.

6. Slightly overfill the box with cushioning.

7. Close and seal the box securely with tape.

8. Label the box "FRAGILE" and identify contents: "Good China, Dining Room."

Tips & Warnings

• You can buy everything you need to pack breakables from large do-it-yourself moving companies, including special boxes for dishes and glasses, bubble wrap, wrapping supplies for individual items, tape and marking pens. Also, save money by asking friends and family for boxes that they would be willing to give away.
• If you underpack a box, loose items are likely to move around and smash into each other. If you overpack, the box might burst open and send contents flying.

on 8/8/2006 A case used for 750 ml liquor or wine bottles has a collapsible cardboard divider that can be cut down or used as is. Makes it easy to quickly stack in glasses with only a little paper in between each glass. And if using newspaper to wrap glasses, remember that newspaper is also excellent when used for cleaning glass ... including windows.

on 11/22/2005 If you are taking fragile items with you when flying commercially, check your airline's policy on HAZMAT (hazardous materials). Believe it or not, packing peanuts and certain varieties of packing popcorn are made of materials which are deemed hazardous when confined in the baggage bins of a commercial airliner. Use bubble wrap, shredded paper, or newspaper instead. As others mentioned, clean clothing makes a good cushion, especially when traveling and moving by air.

on 11/22/2005 I have found that THICK disposable plates, i.e. Chinet, etc., make quick and safe work of packing delicate china plates. Make sure your box is only just bigger than your plates and place plenty of cushioning on the bottom and around the inner periphery of the box. Next, simply layer your china plates and the disposable ones alternately beginning and ending with disposable plates. Purchase disposable plates in various sizes (dinner, luncheon, bread, platter, etc.) and use them according to the size of each plate you are packing. Be certain to leave a bit of room at the top for a sufficient soft cushioning layer. I recommend a thick paper plate like Chinet rather than Styrofoam because paper is biodegradable.

on 11/22/2005 I found that sticking socks in goblets is a great way to protect the goblets from breaking, too.

on 11/22/2005 One lesson I learned from college: loose clothing -especially T-shirts - also makes a wonderful packing material around fragile items. Plus it packs your clothes too.