The biggest task to tackle when moving is packing. Some items, like clothes, bedding, and linens, are fairly easy to pack, but other items can be trickier to figure out how to box up and transport. Fragile items, like glass, ceramics, and china, need to be packed and moved with extra care and attention.
To make your move as seamless as possible, we have five pro tips on how to pack china for moving. From packing materials to methods, here’s how to start packing your most delicate items for moving day.
How To Pack China for Moving
According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies, more than 40 million Americans move every year. If you’re one of them, you want to make sure your most delicate pieces make it to your new home safe and sound.
When you’re getting ready to pack china bowls, cups, plates, and more, there are some things that you’ll need to gather ahead of time to make the process easier.
1. Get the Right Supplies
Before you start packing fine china, you need to collect your supplies. If you don't already have these things on hand, you can head to an office or craft store. You’ll need:
Packing paper to wrap china
China moving boxes
Packing tape
Packing peanuts and bubble wrap
Markers
All of these things will help you begin when you start thinking about how to pack fine china, since you’ll be prepped and ready to roll.
2. Inspect Your China Before Packing
Find a spot in your home with plenty of space where you can spread out. Bring all of your materials to your workspace and lay out all of your fragile items that need to be packed.
Take a good look at each one to check for existing cracks and damage. Pieces that are already cracked or chipped aren’t likely to survive the move, so do yourself a favor and leave them out. Less work for you!
3. Learn How to Wrap Each Piece
If you’re looking at your lovely dish collection and wondering how to pack china for moving, know that different pieces need to be wrapped in different ways to make sure they stay safe during the journey.
Place the plates and bowls in the middle of a piece of packing paper. Pull each corner to the center and tape them in place. Do this with three more plates or bowls of the same size and then stack them all together. Wrap all four items together into a bundle and secure them with packing paper or bubble wrap and tape.
The first step to packing cups and glasses is to fill them with crumpled-up packing paper for cushioning. Then, wrap each item individually with packing paper and tape.
4. Pack the Heaviest Items First in Sturdy Boxes
The best boxes for packing fine china are sturdy ones that can support a heavy load. Make sure that you reinforce each box properly with tape. Put the heaviest items, like plates and platters, in first. Stack them vertically to prevent damage. You can put extra bubble wrap in the boxes for padding.
5. Don’t Rush
While you can probably move other items quickly, take your time moving china. Handle each box with care and make sure to find a safe spot in your car or truck the day of the move to make sure that everything arrives all in one piece.
When To Consider Hiring Professional Packing Services
Even with the best pro tips, it’s sometimes easier to hire professional packers who know all the best hacks for packing for a move. Packing china can be difficult since the task itself requires a soft hand, and making sure that it survives the moving process is another thing altogether.
Hiring professional packers can save you time since they already know what they’re doing. This can be especially helpful if you’re on a time crunch for your move. Professional packers prep things like china and other fragile items often, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to handling tricky-to-pack items.
Contact MASH Movers for Professional Packing Services and Moving Help in Austin and Throughout TX
Even with all these tips, you might still be struggling to pack your china quickly and easily. That’s when you need one of the top moving companies in Austin to help you get packed and organized in no time.
If you’re looking for Austin area movers and packers, MASH Movers has you covered. We’re a team of artists and musicians who have a passion for this city, and we love helping people make it their new home, too. When we aren’t playing music, you’ll find us hauling boxes across Austin and helping people get their move done right. Drop us a line today, and we’ll get back to you with a free quote in no time!