We sure seem to accumulate a lot of glassware over time – glasses for juice, water, wine, tall ones, short ones, everyday ones, fancy ones, not to mention all the shot glasses, tequila glasses, and martini glasses. And just where does that staggering collection of assorted coffee mugs come from? Unfortunately, when it comes to moving, all those glasses and mugs that you’ve been accumulating are easy to break.  That’s why you’ll need to pack them with care. Follow these tips!

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Moving Supplies You’ll Need to Pack Your Glasses and Coffee Mugs

  • Small- or medium-sized heavy-duty moving boxes
  • Packing paper
  • Packing tape
  • Pieces of heavy cardboard the same size as the box
  • Utility knife
  • Permanent black marker
  • Box labels (optional)

Steps for Packing Glasses and Coffee Mugs for a Move

1. Establish a packing station

Your dining table makes a great space to pack glasses and mugs. Gather all of your supplies. If the table is small, place your packing supplies in a box and put the box on a chair next to the table to free up space.

2. Group same sized items together before packing

Check your dishwasher and drying rack for glasses or coffee mugs. Place the same sized items together in groups at your packing station.

3. Prepare the box

For boxes containing glasses and mugs, overlap two or three strips of packing tape on the bottom seam to ensure the box is sufficiently strong. Even though one glass may seem as light as a feather, when you fill a box with glassware or mugs, you’ll be surprised at how heavy the box becomes. Next, place a generous layer of crumpled packing paper in the bottom of the box.

4. Wrap

Place a stack of packing paper on the table. Place each glass on the paper diagonally at the corner near you. Start rolling the glass away from you, stuffing the paper into and around the glass as you go. When you get to the opposite corner, secure it with a small piece of tape. Use the same method for coffee mugs, adding extra paper around the handle, so it’s supported.

5. Place each glass and mug in the box upside down

Pack the heaviest glasses and mugs at the bottom of the box. When you have a full bottom layer, place a piece of cardboard that’s the same size as the box on top of it. Add another layer of wrapped glasses or mugs, then another of cardboard, working your way up to the top of the box with lighter items.

6. Cushion the top, seal, and label the box

Leave two inches at the top of the box and fill the space with a layer of crushed paper. Seal and label the box ‘Kitchen,’ then ‘glasses and coffee mugs.’ In large letters, also write ‘fragile’ on all sides and the top of the box.

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