How to Pack Fine China for Moving?

Packing fine china for a move is a serious task. Fragile items should always be dealt with carefully, as they are quite delicate items. Not to mention that in most cases they represent a gift from our grandparents, as fine china is usually passed on through generations. It does not matter whether you bought your own fine china, or you received it as a gift, we know that your primary concern is to pack it and transport it safely. That is exactly why we have created this useful guide for you. Let us see what is the best way to pack your fine china for a move. And, of course, do not forget to hire a reputable antique moving NYC.

Prepare the packing supplies first

The essence of packing your fragile porcelain items is to have solid packing materials. The better you pack the items, the higher are the chances of them surviving the transport to your new home. Here is what you need to have before you start packing fine china.

Moving boxes

Never use large moving boxes for delicate items such as china. It is better to have several medium or small-sized moving boxes than one large one. Go to the wine store and ask them if they have wine boxes that have cell dividers inside them, as well. This will protect your coffee and teacups in the best possible way.

Bubble wrap

There is no risk of damage if you obtain a roll of bubble wrap and use it for packing your fine china. Get a roll, or even better, two rolls, and apply it generously.

Packing paper

Here you can use even your old newspaper, except that you will have to wash the black stains thoroughly after the move. They will protect your fragile items and have been proven to reduce the risk of damage.

Scotch tape

Use a high-quality tape for sealing your boxes and for securing that the bubble wrap will not move during transport.

Permanent marker

You can use the highest-quality packing material in the world, but if you fail to label the moving boxes, all the effort will simply go to waste. It does not matter which labeling system you apply, it is enough to write Fragile in big letters. In this way, your movers and you will know exactly how to handle these boxes.

Pack the cups and saucers first

The hardest things to pack are the items that have an irregular shape. So, we recommend that you start with cups and saucers. Lay them all on the dining table. This will give you a sense of how many items you need to pack. Leave enough empty surface on the table where you will be able to gently pack these items. Take one item at the time for starters. Now, take the packing paper and place it on the table. Use one cup and roll it over the packing paper. As you roll the packing paper around the item and you reach the end, stuff the ends of the paper into the opening of the cup. You can do the same with saucers.

Once you have rolled them in the packing paper, you can apply bubble wrap for better protection. The process is the same as it is with the packing paper. After you finish, you should make sure the bubble wrap does not fall off or move, by applying the scotch tape.

Pack the plates gently

The hardest part is over since now you only need to pack the plates. The procedure is very similar to the one of packing cups and saucers. Place all of the plates on a hard surface, such as a dining table, and roll them gently into the packing paper. Apply the bubble wrap and secure it with tape. Remember that you should pack similar items together, so use one moving boxes for cups and the other for plates.

Start packing the moving boxes

The time has come to fill up the moving boxes. We only say this figuratively, as when packing fine china, you should never place too many items in it. Before you start packing the fine china, you need to prepare the box. Use crushed newspaper or packing paper (even towels are welcomed at this point) and fill out the bottom of the box.

After you have prepared the bottom of the box, start placing the items. As we already mentioned, place similar items together in one box. Always put the heaviest items at the bottom, and finish by packing the light ones at the top. As you place one cup or plate, make sure to place one layer of protection between that and the next item. This can be a crumpled newspaper or bubble wrap.

Once you reach the top of the box, make sure that you have plenty of space to secure the top with paper or bubble wrap, just like you did with the bottom of the box. In order to see whether you have packed fine china for moving successfully, you need to rattle the box gently back and forth. If you hear a clinging noise this means that it lacks protection. Add another layer of bubble wrap, and repeat the test.

Label the boxes

Label the boxes with Fragile, and feel free to write the contents in smaller letters. You can also write a kitchen on them, or the living room if you prefer to keep fine china in there. Make sure that you label at least three sides of the moving box so that anyone who lifts the box can clearly see the label without having to search for it.

As we have seen, packing fine china for a move only sounds hard, but in reality, all you need is a bit of patience and goodwill. If you do not have time, or you have plenty of fragile items to pack, you can always call professionals to help you. Rabbit Moving and Storage wishes you good luck!