--- title: How to Pack Glasses and Stemware Without Breakage url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack glasses and stemware # How to pack glasses and stemware Glasses break at the rim and the stem, so wrap each one alone, stand it upright in a divided carton and keep a layer of padding above and below. Tumblers and stemware follow the same rule: nothing touches anything else. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## Pack drinking glasses and stemware - Use a divided carton or make cells. A carton with cell dividers is made for glasses. If you only have a plain box, build a grid from folded cardboard. - Pad the base. Lay crushed paper in the bottom of the carton and in each cell. - Wrap the glass alone. Set the glass at the corner of a sheet, fold in the corners, roll it, and tuck the ends. Stuff a little paper inside tumblers to support the walls. - Wrap the stem of stemware. Twist a sheet around the stem and the base first, then wrap the bowl, so the stem is cushioned. - Place them upright in the cells. Heavier glasses go in the bottom layer. Add a pad of paper before the next layer. - Fill the top and label. Cover the top layer with crushed paper, close the lid flat and mark the box GLASSES, THIS SIDE UP. A drinking glass is strong along its sides and weak at the rim. A wine glass is weakest at the stem. Packing is about keeping those weak points free of pressure, from other glasses and from the box. ## Why upright, and why alone Glassware is stiffest top to bottom. A glass packed on its side puts weight on the rim, and one glass pressed against another is at risk when the box shifts. Individual wrapping in paper and a cell for each glass keeps them apart. ## Three kinds of glass, three small differences - Tumblers and everyday glasses: can nest in pairs with paper between, in the lower layer. - Wine glasses and flutes: wrapped at the stem first, one per cell, in the upper layer. - Crystal and heirloom glass: wrapped twice, packed in their own box, and carried in your car if they are irreplaceable. - Mugs and cups: handles wrapped inward with a pad of paper. ## The label matters Write the contents and an arrow for the top on at least two sides of the box. A crew that sees THIS SIDE UP will keep the carton upright on the truck and in the stack. Write the room on the box as well, so it goes straight to the kitchen at the new home. ## Unpacking Open the box from the top and lift each glass out by the base. Unwrap over the box, not over the counter, so any broken piece stays in the carton. Rinse before use, since paper leaves dust. For the rest of the cabinet, see [how to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) and the master guide on [how to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [USPS, Official Mover's Guide](https://moversguide.usps.com/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) - [How to pack plates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-plates/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) - [How to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack plates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-plates/) - [How to pack a TV](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-tv/) - [How to pack mirrors and picture frames](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-mirrors-and-pictures/) - [How to pack lamps](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-lamps/) - [How to pack shoes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-shoes/) - [How to pack clothes for moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-clothes/) - [How to pack books](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-books/) - [How to pack artwork](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-artwork/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I use towels instead of paper? Yes. Towels and linens make good padding and save you buying paper. ### Should I fill glasses with paper? A little paper inside tumblers adds support. Leave stemware bowls open and wrapped on the outside. ### Who packs the glassware for me? The kitchen can be part of the partial or full packing that O'Brien's crews do. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! B Bruce E. December 25, 2024 My family moved exclusively with Bekins when I was young and O'Brien's made it a pleasure to return to this fine local company. I would be pleased to have any members of O'Brien's as friends and highly recommend O'Brien's to anyone needing the services they provide! ### Owner's reply Bruce thank you so much for taking the time to review our company. It was an extreme pleasure to work for you, please do not hesitate to call us for any help you need in the future. L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070