Extra caution has to be taken when packing glassware items ready for storage; not only is it essential to protect your items, but it’s also necessary to prevent any accidental injuries. When items go into self-storage, we want to be sure that they are totally safe. Security of storage facilities can offer peace of mind in knowing that our items are safe and secure, but it’s our job to make sure that our contents are packed appropriately.
When we pack glassware, we have to be careful because of how fragile it is, but we also have to make sure that our packing and packaging used will safely keep damp and dust at bay too.
Here is our guide to safely pack glassware ready for storage:
- Add extra bedding to boxes
Before we start pilling our glassware items into cardboard or plastic boxes, we should ensure that each box used is properly lined. For glassware it’s better to have a cushioned bed at the bottom of the box first, you could use cotton sheets, polystyrene, extra layers of folded cardboard or bubble wrap to cushion the floor of the boxes, the idea is to ensure glassware items are raised from the bottom of the box slightly because it offers better safety when placing boxes down and/or storing them in piles.
- Double wrap
When it comes to glassware items, need an extra layering of wrapping. It’s usually better to start with paper such as brown paper, wrapping paper, or even newspaper followed by a generous layer of bubble wrap.
- Wrap each item individually
We know it can be very time consuming, but it’s beneficial to wrap each piece of glassware individually (and separately) so that no two items are wrapped together; this will ensure that they don’t clash and chip or even smash and break.
- Carefully place and stack
When all glassware is wrapped ready for packing, place items carefully into boxes, starting with the heaviest items first and adding extra layering in between.
- Fill the gaps
Never leave items loose with loads of extra space; if you cannot fill the entire box, place additional packing materials into the gaps instead. The idea is to have a box that doesn’t jiggle around its contents when on the move. Use things such as extra newspaper scrunched up, cotton rags, or bubble wrap to prevent items moving around.
- Test your box before securing
Before you securely seal your box close the lid and give it a little shake, nothing vigorous just a little gentle shake, if movement is detected, continue to fill the gaps. If all seems nice and secure, you can seal the box ready for storage.
- Label and instruct
Each sealed box should be labelled appropriately and, if necessary, contain instructions for the removals. Things such as fragile, handle with care, contains breakables, glass items, etc. should be visible on the outer sides and top of the boxes. If the glassware is particularly fragile, valuable, or sentimental, make sure it’s labelled as such, and if you’d prefer those boxes not to be stacked on top or underneath others, add those instructions to the outer box too.
These are just a few helpful tips for anyone who is about to start packing glassware items ready for storage. Glassware can be tricky; some glassware may be of weird shapes, and things such as wine glasses with long stems and hollow centres could be awkward to wrap. Taking time to do the wrapping (and not rushing it) is the key when it comes to successfully moving glassware to storage or a new home unscathed.
