Dishes Break — Pack Them Right
Dishes are the most-broken item in a move. The secret is packing them on edge, not flat. Here's the method.
Plates on Edge, Not Stacked
Stacking plates flat means the bottom plate carries the weight of all the others — it breaks. Pack plates on edge, wrapped in paper, standing like records in a box. Each plate carries only its own weight.
Wrap Each Piece
Every plate, bowl, and cup gets wrapped in packing paper. Two plates wrapped together scratch each other. One piece per sheet of paper.
The Dish Barrel
A "dish barrel" box is double-walled — thicker than a standard box. For fine china, it's worth the $5. For everyday dishes, a standard box with extra paper padding works.
Pad the Bottom and Top
Crumple a layer of paper at the bottom of the box (3 inches) and another at the top. The crumple absorbs the impact if the box is dropped.
Fill the Gaps
A box with gaps lets the dishes shift. Crumple paper into every gap. A box that doesn't rattle when shaken is packed right.
Cups and Glasses
Cups and glasses go rim-down, nested in paper. A glass packed rim-up breaks at the rim — the weakest point. Pack rim-down.
Don't Overpack
A box of dishes over 30 lbs is too heavy and gets dropped. Two smaller boxes beat one heavy one.
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