How to Pack China for Moving

You can handle this process successfully if you choose to hire professional packers instead of you, but this service will cost you some extra money. However, with some time and effort, you will be able to handle precious dishes and plates properly. And we’re going to show you how.

What Is Considered China

Have you ever wondered what is so unique about china and, at the same time, tricky when it needs to be taken out of the showcase, wrapped, and placed into packages?

This is actually a pricey dinnerware, and it’s appreciated for its materials and the way it’s made. It is a combination of clay, kaolin, feldspar, and quartz, and fired up in a kiln. And if you were wondering whether this kitchenware is, in fact, porcelain, the short answer is – it is. There are two types of china – fine and bone. Bone is the strongest porcelain since it has bone ash in it, besides other materials.

Why Packing China Is so Demanding

Whether you have your dishware passed from generation to generation, lightweight yet durable, bone china, or maybe the most expensive porcelain – Flora Danica, one thing is for sure: it must make it in one piece to your new address. This is especially so if it’s hand-crafted, with unique and golden patterns, with creamy, white color and opaqueness. It’s needless to say how delicate this porcelain is and how easily it can be broken.

That’s why you should make some preparatory steps before placing the dishes into packages. Keep in mind that one of the most annoying and tiring processes is wrapping each plate or mug and storing it safely. But, if you want to save your family heirloom, you should follow all the necessary steps, have the required supplies, and be familiar with all the storage tips.

Gather Packing Supplies and Prepare the Area for Work

You should have a safe and soft work surface for your kitchenware – it even might be a carpet on the floor. Just put some blankets on, and the process can start. If you have a ton of fragile pieces, ask for help. Your friends can prep boxes, while you will have plenty of time to handle other kitchen items.

What are the essential materials you should obtain before packing your items? Here’s a list of moving supplies to have on hand:

• Regular and specialized boxes
• Wrapping paper
• Bubble wrap
• Peanuts as a cushioning
• Sealing tape

How to Pack China for Moving – You Can’t Overdo With Paper

Paper is a convenient and useful material when packing fragile items such as valuable plates and glasses. Get enough sheets – you’ll need them for the bottom of the boxes and each piece of dishes – one or several layers. Also, you can stack items in bundles of two to three. Just make sure to wrap porcelain separately before bundling. In a word, this material is one of the crucial supplies in the storing process.

Pack Plates Individually

How to store plates? Here are some storage ideas you should follow and be carefree when moving day comes:

• Place a plate face down on a sheet of paper
• Fold each corner inwards and bring them together at the center of the plate
• You can use a small piece of tape to secure the wrap
• Pack each piece individually to prevent breakage and stack the plates vertically in a box

Stemware Should Be Rolled in Packing Paper

When it comes to cups and stemware, the most reliable method is the rolling technique. Place a cup at a corner of the sheet and roll it down the length of the wrapper. Stuff any excess into the opening of the mug or cup to secure it on the inside, too.

Stuff Bowls With Extra Paper

To pack a bowl properly, place it in the center of the sheet, take each corner, and fold it into the center of the dish. Fill the bowls with the crumpled wrapper, which will serve as a thick layer of padding.

Additional Tips for Odd-Shaped Dishes

If you want to pack a dish with a lid, the first step is to remove it and wrap it separately. Bubble wrap can do an excellent job if you need to protect handles. The rest of the dish should be covered with packing paper entirely. If needed, use tape to fix it and cover all the surfaces. When packing wine glasses, if possible, use cell boxes because of the cardboard dividers.

To Store Cups and Glasses, Use a Cell Divider and Place It in a Dish Pack Box

The best solution to pack glasses for moving is to use dish barrels or dish packs, which are specialized dish boxes. Thanks to their sturdier cardboard and thicker walls, they will be great protection for your glass vases and fragile pieces. One more excellent thing about these boxes is that they come with cell dividers, which help keep the individual items in place and prevent them from coming in contact with one another during transportation.

Line the Bottom of a Moving Box and Carefully Fill Each Box

You can pad the bottom of the box either with bubble wrap, crumpled paper, or peanuts. When packing your dishes, take into consideration the right size of the box to avoid trying to overpack it. Use smaller boxes and plenty of cushioning, so your valuable dishes arrive intact at your new home.

With the Right Packing Method, Moving Will Be Smooth

If your boxes are too heavy, it’s more likely that the cardboard will give in and your dishes will be ruined for good. To prevent this from happening and save your family heirloom and decorate your new home with it, keep in mind these tips:

• When storing plates, start with a clean, dry box, cover it with a piece of bubble wrap, and start stacking the plates. Don’t overfill. After the box is ¾ full, stuff all the sides with padding, including the top.
• Bowls should be stacked vertically, making sure the sides of the box are covered with a thick layer of protective material. If you happen to have enough space for another layer, put a layer of bubble wrap between the dishes.
• Glassware should be packed on its side with plenty of cushioning between each piece.

Additional Tips on How to Protect Your Valuable Dishes

Your move is approaching, and you’re probably excited. The preparatory steps are done, you’ve scheduled the relocation day, made all necessary arrangements about moving services, and packed your valuables. In case you did it all yourself, it’s good to check if everything was done correctly or if you may have missed something. Our tips will help you stay calm after loading your packages on the truck:

• When stacking dishware inside of a box, you should place a cardboard cutout on each dish – this will serve as an additional protective layer
• Put the most massive dishes on the bottom, and above them place lighter ones, such as mugs or cups. This will prevent them from damaging each other while in transport or storage.
• If you don’t have enough wrapper or some other padding, use soft towels or blankets to fill the empty space in a box
• Keep the most precious items with you in the car during the move