How to Pack Dishes and Glassware Without Breaking Them
How to pack dishes, plates and glassware for a move: the right boxes, wrapping method, loading order and tips to keep fragile items safe.
Pack dishes on their edge, never flat, wrap each piece individually, and fill every gap so nothing shifts. Use small, sturdy boxes with extra padding at the bottom and top, and mark them fragile. Good packing is what keeps plates and glasses whole through a move.
What do I need?
- Small or medium sturdy boxes, or special dish boxes with dividers
- Packing paper (plain, unprinted newsprint avoids ink smudges) and bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- A marker for labels
How do I pack plates and bowls?
- Line the bottom of the box with crumpled paper or bubble wrap.
- Wrap each plate in a sheet of paper, or bundle two or three with paper between them.
- Stand plates on their edge, like records, not flat. Edges are stronger than faces.
- Stack bowls nested only if wrapped, and put the heaviest items at the bottom.
- Fill all gaps with crumpled paper until nothing moves when you gently shake the box.
- Add a layer of paper on top before sealing.
How do I pack glasses and stemware?
Wrap each glass separately, with paper stuffed inside the bowl. Pack glasses upright or on their side in a box with dividers, and put stemware near the top of the box with padding below. Never stack glasses inside each other without paper between them.
What about cutlery, pots and pans?
Bundle cutlery with a rubber band or tape and wrap. Nest pots and pans with paper between them, and pack lids separately. Heavy items go at the bottom, so use small boxes to keep the weight manageable.
How do I label the boxes?
Write the room, the word FRAGILE and which way is up on the side and top. This tells the crew to load the box on top of the pile, not underneath.
How should I load and carry them?
Fragile boxes go on top or against a wall in the truck, never under heavy items. If you are carrying them yourself, hold them from the bottom, not by the handles.
Prefer someone else to do it?
Forge Movers can pack your kitchen for you; see our packing services. Pricing is the crew hourly rate plus materials, as explained on our pricing page. For the whole house, start with how to pack for a move.
