Easy Guide To Packing China, Glassware, and Flatware For Storage

If anything is going to break in a move, it’s usually the China or glassware. If you follow these simple instructions, you’ll be able to make the move without any ‘casualties’!

China Plates – To begin put a 3-4 inches of clean packing paper on the bottom of the container. Wrap each plate in two or three sheets of packing paper and stack three or four plates together. Then wrap each stack with another two or three sheets of packing paper.

Put each bundle of plates into the container standing on the edge. Keep putting the plates in until you have a row right across the bottom of the carton. Be sure to keep the role snug so that the plates remain upright. If there is still some room after all the plates are stacked vertically, use pieces like soup bowls and gravy boats to hold them in place. At the very top of the box, put down another layer of crushed paper.

If you’re using a larger box and you still have room, you can add other pieces of China as long as they are safely wrapped. When the box is full, seal it with tape and label it clearly with the word FRAGILE.

Bowls and Cups – Cups should be wrapped individually and placed upside down with their handles pointing to the inside of the box. Be sure to put lots of packing in between them so that they don’t bump into each other during the move. If possible, put the cups on the top layer of the box.

Each large bowl should be individually wrapped and then nested with smaller bowls. Place them upside down at the bottom of the carton. It’s okay to put smaller items inside the bowls. Just make sure they are wrapped safely. Lids to containers and bowls should be individually wrapped and placed upside down on the bowl or container they belong to. Finally, wrap the bowl and its lid in two more sheets of packing paper.

Fragile Glasses, Stemware and Figurines – Whenever possible, individually wrapped up these items and pack them in bubble wrap and/or celled cartons. Wrap very small pieces in colored tissue paper just so that they are very visible and that you don’t throw them out by mistake later.

Silverware and Stainless Steel Flatware – Wrap silverware individually in paper with a low sulfur content or in clear plastic to prevent scratching and tarnishing. Put the pieces in your silver chest and pad it well. Wrap the chest in paper or a large towel and place it at the bottom of a box or carton. Stainless steel flatware will not require any special packing paper. Simply wrap individually or in sets. Other large silver pieces should be wrapped in clear plastic and then in clean paper. Pad well for packing.

If you follow all these instructions carefully, I’m sure that you will protect all of your valuable china and flatware.