How to Pack Your Coffee Mug Collection

Do you have a quaint collection of coffee mugs you need to move? You might just want to put your mugs into a bin and cover the container with a lid. But will this stacked pack keep your fragile ceramic cups safe? Before you prep and pack your mugs, take a look at do's and don'ts to follow.

Do Sort First

You may not need to take up precious packing space with mugs you'll never use again. Before you start the packing process, sort through your mug collection and separate the cups based on:

• Wear and tear. Those old mugs with coffee stains you can never remove likely don't need to move with you. If ceramic cups have excessive wear and tear, sort these out and remove them from your to-move pile.
• Damage. Brown coffee or tea stains aren't the only reason to eliminate some of your mugs from the collection. Inspect the mugs for cracks, chips, or other noticeable damage. Not only will damage detract from the mug's appearance, but it could create a safety hazard.
• Favorites. Which mugs do you use most? These coffee cups need to move with you. But if you have mugs that you never or rarely use, and they are in usable shape with no signs of wear, consider donating or selling the cups.

After you sort the mugs, decide what to do with the discards. Mugs that are beyond repair may need to go into the garbage. Even though you may want to recycle these items, most curbside recycling programs won't take ceramics. If you don't want to add your mugs to a landfill, think about ways to creatively upcycle the material.

Don't Pack Mugs As-Is

Are you tempted to line a box or bin with mugs or stack these breakables as-is? While this packing strategy could save you time, this might cost you in the price of broken ceramics. To safely and securely pack your mug collection:

• Use a protective layer. Bubble wrap is a popular packing pick. But you don't need to spend money on protective packing materials. Instead of bubble wrap, reuse old washed and dried dishcloths or hand towels to cover and protect your mugs.
• Fill the mugs. Wrap both the outside and inside of each mug. Roll bubble wrap or a small towel and place it into the mug. You can also use plain packing paper. Avoid newspaper or magazine pages. The ink may run or transfer onto your mugs.
• Wrap the handles. Unlike other cups in your kitchen, coffee mugs have handles. Protect these projections with another piece of bubble wrap or a towel. Use packing tape to secure the protective layer around the cup's handle.

Always wrap mugs individually. Even though a double or triple mug wrap may seem like a space- and materials-saving idea, the cups can clink together in the moving truck. This could result in cracks, chips, or broken handles.

Do Use the Right Container

Instead of a plain cardboard box or plastic bin, choose a special type of container - or add specialized dividers to your existing boxes and bins. To choose the best containers for your mugs, consider:

• The weight. How heavy are the mugs? Ceramics weigh more than plain plastic cups or other similar kitchenware. A flimsy cardboard box may break under this weight and cause significant damage to your mugs. Use either reinforced heavy-duty cardboard boxes or plastic bins.
• Dividers. Some cardboard boxes come with corrugated dividers in place. If your boxes don't, add these dividers to each container. These mini walls reduce the risk of mid-move breakage.
• The lid or closure. Never pack mugs in an opened-top box or bin. This type of container could easily tip over and spill in transit.

Are your boxes and bins too large for your mug collection? The awkwardly shaped cups may not fit perfectly into any one container. If you have extra space around the sides, fill the gaps with crumpled plain packing paper or rolled towels.

Do you need help with your next move? Contact Azalea City Moving Co. for more information.