How to Pack China and Glassware

Flat china and glassware

Fist, place cushioning material in the bottom of a carton. Use platters, plates and other large flat pieces as the lowest layer. Wrap each piece individually, and then wrap up to three in a bundle with a double layer of newspaper. Stand up these bundled items in a row in the carton.

Surround each bundle with crushed paper leaving no unfilled spaces. Add two or three inches of crushed paper on top of the bundle to protect rims and make a level base for the next tier. Horizontal cardboard dividers can be helpful in keeping layers level. Smaller plates, saucers and shallow bowls can make up a second layer, wrap and pack in the same way.

Bowls and odd-shaped items

Depending on their weight, these might be used either as the bottom or middle layers. Wrap the same way as flat plates. Stand shallow bowls (soup plates, etc.) on edge in the carton and deep ones (such as mixing bowls) nested two or three together, upside down on their rims.

Wrap sugar bowl lids in tissue, turning them upside down on top of the bowl. Then, wrap both together in clean paper followed by an outer double layer of newspaper. Wrap cream pitchers in clean paper and then a double outer wrapping. Place sugar bowls, cream pitchers, sauce containers and similar pieces upright in the carton.

Even when using a dish pack and mini-cells for china, wrap cups individually, protecting handles with an extra layer of paper. Then, pack cups upside down. If not using a dish pack or cells, wrap cups as previously described in a double layer of paper and place them upside down on rims in a row on an upper layer with all handles facing the same direction.

Always finish each layer with crushed paper padding, filling up any empty spaces.