You’re in the thick of it now: boxes everywhere, walls half bare, and tomorrow’s move looming. Among all the chaos, a shelf of glassware stares back at you - wine glasses, tumblers, vases, odd-shaped cocktail glasses, each a mini disaster waiting to happen if packed poorly.
Packing glassware is a delicate task, but it doesn’t have to be a heart-in-mouth juggling act. With the right approach, you can minimise breakages, save time, and (bonus) keep your sanity intact. Let’s walk through how to do it right, and when it pays to hand the job over.
Before you wrap a single glass, get everything ready. Having the full kit on hand helps avoid last-minute dashes or makeshift fixes.
When choosing materials, go for quality like stronger boxes, thicker wrap and get more than you think you’ll need. Things tear, run out, or just don’t work as expected.
Check out our comprehensive guide to packing and wrapping for more tips on materials and methods.
Before diving into packing, take stock. This helps you plan how much wrap and space you’ll need and whether some items are better off left behind.
Getting clear on this early means you don’t waste time or materials. It also helps you declutter.
Check out these decluttering tips that make moving easier.
Now it’s time to get your boxes ready:
A strong base is essential. If it’s too thin or soft, your bottom row of glasses could be at risk.
Every single glass should be wrapped, even the sturdy ones.
Use bubble wrap for fragile or sentimental items, especially anything thin-stemmed or irreplaceable. Be gentle with stems and rims.
For example, focus extra padding on the bowl of a wine glass, and taper it as you wrap down.
The way you load glasses into the box matters just as much as the wrapping:
This layering method is also useful when packing other heavy or awkward kitchen items like ceramic mugs or even appliances.
Even the best-packed box can be mishandled without clear labelling. Use a marker to label each side:
You can also use stickers or colour-coded labels by room. The goal is to make it really obvious how these boxes should be treated.
Even with good technique, people sometimes trip up. Here are a few common mistakes and how to guard against them:
Avoiding these common issues early will make a big difference.
For more on handling transport, read our guide to loading, transporting, and unloading.
And remember, safety matters. If you're lifting or stacking heavy boxes, it's worth brushing up on safe manual handling techniques. You can find reliable advice in WorkSafe Victoria’s guide to moving or lifting objects.
Sometimes, the best way to pack glassware... is not to pack it yourself.
Hiring professional removalists, especially those offering packing services, can be a game-changer. Here’s what you can expect in Australia:
Packing glassware properly takes care and a bit of patience, but it’s absolutely doable. Wrap, pad, layer and label, and you’ll dramatically lower the risk of anything breaking in transit.
That said, you don’t have to do it all alone. Bringing in a pro can save time, stress and worry. With Upmove, it’s easy to book the best team of experienced, affordable removalists who’ll handle fragile items with care or take care of the entire move for you.
Upmove acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
