Storage Tips for Breakables

Without doubt, storing breakables such as fine china, crystal, the Royal Dalton knick-knacks you received years ago as wedding presents, and your great aunt's fancy lamps is a nerve wracking experience. You are terrified that family heirlooms will be broken, and you want to do everything in your power to keep the items protected from chipping, breaking, and shattering to pieces. But, all is not lost, because there are some easy ways to keep your most cherished items in perfect condition.

Use China Barrels

If you have access to professional moving companies, call and ask if they sell the moving boxes. Specifically, you want the ones called "china barrels" in order to best protect your breakable items. These boxes are generally tougher than normal cardboard boxes, and are reinforced to prevent things from falling out the bottom, and to prevent the sides from buckling. They are also deeper and allow for bigger items like lamps to be stored inside.

Order Sheets of Moving Paper, Sometimes Called Blank Newsprint

If you have many breakable items, you would be well served to buy the large sheets of white or beige moving packing paper from a professional moving supply store. These pieces of paper are much larger than sheets of tissue paper, and are thicker, making them more durable than plain tissue. They do not rip as easily, either. And, when used in boxes, they can be crumpled into balls to make good stuffing or just placed in mounds to layer the bottom and between items. Tissue paper tends tend to be too flimsy for packing breakables. Materials that we would not recommend are printed newspapers and glossy magazines. If the items are going to be stored for some time, the black ink gets all over the china. Everything will need to be washed, and even then, it remains to be seen whether the black can be removed. Lastly, be liberal in your use of packing paper. Do not scrimp.

Order of Packing is Important

When packing breakables, you really want to be careful with the way they are positioned in the box. For example, heavier items should be near the bottom, but with a good layer of packing paper underneath to absorb the shocks when moving. Lamps and vases should stand up. Laying them on their sides, even when packed is not a good idea because pressure is placed on the wrong areas. Place smaller cups and ornaments between the bigger things and in grooves. Do not stack all the plates in one big tower. Put stacks side by side in the box to even out the weight.

Wrapping Plates with Paper

When you wrap plates, saucers, platters and other flat items, take five plates and six sheets of paper. Keep the sheets together lying flat. Start with one plate and wrap with one sheet. Lay down the next plate and fold over the next sheet. Continue until all the sheets are wrapped around the plates. Once all five are in the bundle, place the bundle in the box. This is how professional movers do it to keep each plate from chipping, and also, to give substance to the package so it is harder to damage.

Keep Box Tight, Not Overloaded