The late, great comedian George Carlin once said that “A house is just a place…
Packing dishes for a move is a tricky undertaking. While packing pots and pans seems simple, other aspects of packing your kitchen require more thought. Dishes are fragile and unless they are packed correctly, you might show up at your new home with broken plates or cups.
Packing Dishes
In today’s guide, I’m going to walk you through the dish-packing process so that you can rest easy knowing your dishes are safe while you move.
Are you ready? Let’s dive in!
Before You Start Packing, Sort Your Dishes
The first step in kitchen packing is to sort your dishes. Sort them into organized categories such as pots and pans, kitchenware glasses, utensils, and bowls and plates. Categorizing your dishes will keep everything organized so that you know exactly where each item is when it comes to unpacking.
Declutter Dishes, Pots, And Pans That You Don’t Use
Once you have your dishes sorted neatly into categories, decluttering is the next task up to bat. Kitchenware glasses, pots, pans, and dishes that you no longer use should be the first to go. If it isn’t a holiday piece and you haven’t used it in more than a month, declutter it and save yourself the hassle of packing that item.
Sell, donate, or giveaway dishes that you no longer have need of. Decluttering makes the kitchen packing process easier and lighter so don’t skip this step!
Have An Essentials Kitchen Box
Of course, since you’ll be living in your house until moving day there are certain items that you won’t be able to pack until the last minute. Make yourself an essentials kitchen box with items that you use every day. Kitchen items like cutlery, plates, or your coffee maker can go into the essentials box so that they are easily accessible. Having an essentials box will make life so much easier for you leading up to moving day and is a breeze to pack up.
The Best Way To Pack Your Dishes
Here at On The Go Moving, we have a tried and true formula for how to pack your dishes.
Step 1: Buy Sturdy Boxes
First things first, you need to buy and assemble sturdy boxes for your dishes. Don’t skimp on the tape as dishes are heavy and often need extra support.
Step 2: Cushion Your Dishes
Cushion each of your kitchenware packing boxes with paper or bubble wrap. This protects your breakable dishes during the move ensuring that they are all in good condition when you arrive in your new home.
Step 3: Wrap & Secure With Tape
Wrap each dish in packing paper and secure it with tape. Make sure to double wrap items that are particularly fragile!
Step 4: Heaviest First, Lighter Dishes Second
Load the wrapped dishes into your packing box starting with the heaviest dishes and adding the lighter dishes on top. Fill any empty cavities with padding to provide extra cushioning.
Pro-tip, don’t overfill your box as this could result in the box caving and your precious kitchenware being broken.
Step 5: Layer & Label
Secure each box with a final layer of padding on top and a generous amount of packing tape. Label each box according to its kitchen category and don’t forget to put an indicator as to which side should face up.
best way to pack dishes
What Order Should You Pack Your Dishes In?
Pack Seasonal Dishes First
Dishes that you don’t use daily or weekly should be the first to be packed in your kitchen. Seasonal platters, mugs, and wine glasses can be packed first, leaving you with a fully functional although less full kitchen.
Packing Pots And Pans
Leave out your pots or pans that you use daily and pack these in your essentials box instead of with the other pots and pans. Keep in mind when you’re packing your pots and pans that they need an equal level of packing care to the rest of your dishes. Pots and pans can become damaged or scratched if they aren’t properly packed so be sure to give them lots of cushioning.
Kitchenware Glasses And Dishes
Feel free to stack and layer when it comes to packing glasses, plates, and bowls. Just make sure that you use a layer of padding between each item and that you don’t overfill your box. Remember, packing dishes for moving day doesn’t have to be tedious, you can enlist your friends and family and turn packing into a competition.
Packing Miscellaneous Kitchen Items
We all have items in our kitchens that don’t fit into any category.
You should add such items to a miscellaneous kitchen packing box. Odd kitchen gadgets and cookbooks can be packed in the miscellaneous category. Just make sure that there aren’t any items in the box that could damage each other.
Materials You Need For Packing Your Kitchen
Packing your kitchen for a move is an intensive process which you should be equipped for. The list below includes helpful items for packing your dishes for moving.
- Sturdy boxes of various sizes.
- Padding: this can be newspapers, bubble wrap, or packing pellets.
- Moving tape
- Label maker (don’t forget to label all of your packed kitchen boxes!).
- Ice chest for transporting your food to your new home.
Find A Reliable Moving Service In Your Area
Want to make moving day easier? Work with a professional moving service to help you pack your kitchen. Here at On The Go Moving, we have a team of skilled packers and movers ready to help you pack your kitchen for your move. Our moving professionals can help you pack, transport, and unload your dishes at your new home.
For more information about our moving services, give us a call today.
