3 Tips for Packing Stemware

Check out these simple tips for packing stemware to avoid breaking the necessary and often prized kitchen item into millions of little pieces when moving from one apartment to another. Whether your stemware is cheap and disposable or expensive and sentimental, use careful packing, stacking and storing techniques.

1. Look for Soft Cushioning Materials

Like any breakable item, surrounding stemware with plush cushioning is crucial when moving it. Stemware has an extra need, though, due to its delicate construction and hollow inside. In addition to wrapping the outside of the glass, you have to stuff the inside, hollow cup part to ensure that no outside force causes it to break. Do the same with the stem.

Not everyone has tons of bubble wrap at their disposal, and cushioning items other than bubble wrap can do the trick just as effectively. Look to using items that you’ll have to either pack or get rid of in your move. Crumple up newspapers or magazines to pad surrounding the glass. Wrap it directly in soft cloth items, like dishtowels. Freshly laundered sheets and pillow cases are great for padding stemware. Socks can often be a perfect fit inside the cup portion of stemware. To avoid touching your feet to your drink ware, first stuff the sock into a small plastic bag, then put it in the glass.

2. Space Stemware Properly

Once stemware is thickly cushioned, be sure to arrange it properly in your moving container. Avoid packing too many glasses into one box, but also be sure not to to leave so much room in the box that the glasses roll around and break. Eliminate empty space with additional towels or newspaper. If you can, carefully nestle the cup of one glass next to the stem of the one beside it. If you must stack one layer of glasses on top of another, be sure to double up on the cushioning outlined in the tip above.

3. Choose the Right Container

After you’ve wrapped and spaced your stemware properly according to the directions above, you’ll still have to be careful to place it in the suitable vessel for moving. If you choose a cardboard box, be sure to select one with a firm bottom that won’t bend or give out. A better option might be sturdier, smaller containers. Look to shoe boxes; they’re firmer and smaller. While you’ll have to use a higher number of boxes overall, you’ll suffer less if one of those boxes happens to get broken, taking only a few glasses as casualties, rather than the entire set that could fit into a bigger box. Large plastic bins with snap-on lids also offer a bit more of a cushioned but firm storage option.

If you’re transporting the boxes of stemware in a van or car with the rest of your possessions, be sure to keep away from loose heavy items. Strap down boxes with stemware and store it near soft, cushioned items like bed linens and pillows. Be sure to secure other furniture items to prevent them from knocking into boxes with breakables.