When you’re moving, there’s a lot to think about, and packing your dishes correctly might not make the top of your moving checklist. If you’ve waited to the last minute and have realized that you don’t know how to pack dishes without breaking them, don’t worry. With a few simple tips, you can safely pack breakables from your kitchen. So whether you’re packing up your own kitchen or helping someone else pack theirs, read on for some helpful tips on packing dishes when you’re moving.
The Materials You Need For Packing Your Dishes
Before you start packing, you’ll want to make sure you have all your materials accounted for. The same supplies used for packing the rest of the home will still be helpful in the kitchen. You’ll want to make sure you have:
- Moving boxes
- Insulation
- Tape
- A permanent marker
In addition to standard moving supplies, a few different types of moving boxes can reduce the risk of breaking or damaging any of your favorite dishes and kitchen appliances.
For example, a dish box is a unique solution for safely transporting plates and bowls. It’s a standard cardboard box with cut-outs specifically designed to hold different shapes and sizes of dishware. If you have any delicate or expensive dishes, it might be good to invest in a few dish boxes for your move.
When it comes to insulation, you can choose from various options. Bubblewrap and styrofoam are readily available. If you’re trying to save money and reduce waste while packing, you can opt for soft fabrics found in the house like clean socks, blankets, and towels.
If you’re moving fine china, wrap them in clean packing paper instead of newspaper. Any paper with ink can transfer to delicate plates and glasses, leaving them permanently stained.
Plates, Bowls, Pots, and Pans Pack Better Together
Plates, bowls, pots, and pans can all be packed together. Since they’re similar sizes, it’s easy to combine them into shared boxes.
Start by packing the heaviest items first. These will be the dishes, pots, and pans. If you have any large platters or serving bowls, these can also go in this category. Make sure to wrap each item individually in packing paper or plastic wrap before placing it in a box.
Line the bottom of the box with a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap for extra protection before adding any items. You can also use wadded-up packing paper to fill empty spaces in the box and prevent items from shifting during transport.
After the large items have been packed, you can start on the smaller plates and bowls. Wrap each plate and bowl a protective layer of newspaper or bubble wrap between each piece. To save on insulation, you can tear off a smaller section instead of using an entire sheet for each item.
Cups, Mugs, and Glasses Stack For Easy Packing
The packing process for cups, mugs, and glasses is similar to plates and bowls. However, the amount of insulation you use for each product will vary based on its fragility.
For example, plastic cups can be stacked and placed in a box with little-to-no packing paper. Although cracking plastic cups is risky, they’re generally much more resilient to impact. If you have plastic cups that carry sentimental value, you can package them a little more carefully.
When it comes to more fragile glasses and mugs, use more packing paper or bubble wrap to fill in the spaces between each item. You can also use a small amount of Styrofoam peanuts for extra cushioning. Avoid packing any wine glasses or other stemware in the standard cups and mugs box. If you’re transporting any cups or glasses with stems, these should be wrapped separately in newspaper and placed in a box specifically for stemware.
Glasses can be stacked as their shape permits. However, stacking if you find that there’s too much contact between each glass, as the friction could cause them to crack.
Individually wrapped mugs can be bundled with tape to make them easier to fit in a box.
Finally, you should consider which glasses you’ll need access to first and pack them accordingly. For example, if you know that you’ll want to use your coffee mug as soon as you arrive at your new home, pack it last so it’s easy to reach.
Fragile Glasses and Stemware: Pack With Care
If you’re packing any fragile glasses or stemware, it’s essential to take extra care. These items should be wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a box specifically for them. Including them in boxes with other items increases their chances of breaking during the journey.
Glassware should always be packed upright and never on its side. If there is any movement during transport, the weight will be evenly distributed, and there’s less chance of breaking.
Once all of your stemware is loaded into the box, you should label it as “fragile.” Be sure to write “fragile” on every side of the box so that the movers can see the message from every angle.
How to Pack Fine China: Tips For Secure Packing
Fine china is some of the most fragile items you’ll need to pack when moving. As such, it’s important to take extra care when packing these items. Just line stemware, fine china should be designated to its own box.
First, sort your china by type and size. This will make finding the correct box and padding for each piece easier.
Next, line the bottom of the box with a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap. This will provide cushioning in case the box is dropped. You might also look into buying moving boxes with partitions. Partitions provide extra padding to keep each piece of china from colliding while being moved.
You can wrap glasses, cups, and mugs in your china collection just like you would for the other ones, except be sure to use packing paper with no ink.
Large platters and serving places can go on the bottom of the box. Serving as the base, you can stack other wrapped items on top of them. Plates and bowls can go on the second layer, drinking ware goes on the third layer, and silverware will easily fit on the top layer.
If you’re working on selling your home, be sure to pack up all your fine china before showing your home. Any personalized details in the house can deter potential buyers.
How to Pack the Rest of Your Kitchen: Tips for Assorted Kitchen Appliances
There are a few different ways that you can go about packing your kitchen appliances. The method you choose will depend on the size of your appliance and how much you need to use it during the move.
Some small kitchen appliances, like blenders and coffee makers, can be packed in their original boxes. These boxes are designed to protect the appliance during transport. However, you should still wrap the appliance in an additional layer of packing paper or bubble wrap to be safe.
You can pack kitchen appliances in their original boxes or use a moving box. If you’re using a moving box, make sure to line it with packing paper or bubble wrap. You should also fill any empty spaces in the box with foam peanuts or other packing materials for added security.
Packing Your Dishes Can Be Easier Than Ever
Whether you’re moving cross-country or just across the street, be sure to pack your dishes safely and securely. Use these tips to make sure your plates, bowls, pots, and pans make it to your new home intact. Cups, mugs, and glasses can be easily packed together in a box or bag. Fragile glasses and stemware should be wrapped carefully before packing. Finally, when packing fine china or other delicate kitchen appliances, take care to use proper packing materials and follow specific instructions for securing them in transit. With these tips in mind, you can rest assured that your dishes will arrive at your new home safe and sound.
