Your Ultimate Guide To Pack Dishes When Moving

Worried about how to pack dishes for moving without breaking them? You’ve come to the right place. This guide will show you the essential steps and tips to safely pack your plates, glasses, and other fragile items. Let’s dive into the best practices to ensure your dishes arrive intact at your new home.

Key Takeaways

• Gather essential packing supplies like dish pack boxes, packing paper, and bubble wrap to protect your dishes during the move.
• Wrap dishes individually and pack them vertically to minimize the risk of breakage, ensuring that any gaps are filled with padding.
• Clearly label boxes as ‘Fragile’ and avoid overpacking to ensure safe transport of your dishes and glasses.

Preparing for a Smooth Move

Purge and Declutter Your Kitchen

Before you start packing, take some time to purge and declutter your kitchen. Go through your cabinets and drawers, and set aside any dishes, glassware, or cookware that you no longer need or use. Consider donating gently used items to a local charity or organization like Goodwill. This step not only reduces the number of items you need to pack but also makes the packing process less overwhelming. By starting with a clean slate, you can focus on packing only the essentials, ensuring a smoother move.

Take Inventory and Confirm Insurance

Once you’ve decluttered, take inventory of your remaining dishes and glassware. Make a detailed list of each item, noting its condition, and take photos for reference. This inventory will be invaluable if anything goes missing or gets damaged during the move. Additionally, confirm your insurance options with your moving company. Released Value Protection is a standard option that covers 60 cents per pound per item, while Full Value Protection offers more comprehensive coverage, reimbursing the current value of your items. Having this information handy ensures you’re prepared for any eventuality, giving you peace of mind as you pack dishes and other fragile items.

By following these preparatory steps, you’ll set the stage for a more organized and efficient move, ensuring your dishes and other kitchen items arrive safely at your new home.

Gather the Right Packing Supplies

Before starting, gather all necessary essential packing supplies. Start packing the right materials, as they are the foundation for packing dishes safely, reducing the risk of breakage.

First on your list should be sturdy boxes. Specifically, dish packs or double-walled cardboard boxes are designed for extra protection and are worth the investment. These boxes are built to withstand the weight and fragility of dishes, making them a must-have for packing dishes.

Next, you’ll need plenty of packing paper or newspaper. Clean, ink-free paper is ideal to avoid any stains on your dishes. Bubble wrap is another essential item for extra padding, especially for more delicate items.

Strong packing tape is essential to securely seal your boxes and keep everything in place during the move. Finally, use markers to label your boxes as fragile, ensuring they are handled with care.

Having these supplies ready before packing makes the process smoother and more efficient. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing your dishes have the best chance of surviving the move unscathed.

Line the Bottom of the Box

Lining the bottom of the box is a crucial step in packing dishes. This cushioning layer provides a buffer in case the box is dropped or jostled during the move.

Start by using crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap. Lay it out evenly to form a thick, protective layer. This base layer is crucial for absorbing any shocks that might occur during transportation.

This tip applies universally, whether you’re packing dishes or glasses. Both need this foundational protection to ensure they arrive intact.

How to Pack Plates for Moving

Plates often break during moves due to their flat, fragile nature. However, with the right method, you can pack them safely and securely.

For larger sets, consider wrapping an entire bundle of plates together to ensure they are securely covered and protected.

Wrap each plate individually using packing paper or bubble wrap, placing the plate in the center and folding the edges over. This method ensures complete coverage and protection from direct impacts.

When placing the plates in the box, pack them vertically, like vinyl records. This reduces the risk of them cracking under pressure. Add a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap between each plate for extra protection.

Finally, fill any gaps in the box with crumpled paper or bubble wrap to prevent shifting during the move. This packing process follows the same process to ensure your plates are well-protected from start to finish.

How to Pack Glasses for Moving

Glasses and stemware are especially fragile, requiring careful handling. Here’s how to pack wine glasses safely:

Wrap the stems of stemmed glasses separately with bubble wrap, then wrap the entire glass with packing paper. This double protection is essential for fragile stemware. Pack glasses vertically in the box, similar to plates, to reduce pressure on the fragile parts. Additionally, place crumpled paper inside each glass to help absorb any shock.

If packing glasses and dishes together, place heavier items like plates and bowls at the bottom and glasses on top. This method ensures balanced protection for all your fragile items.

Label Your Boxes Clearly

After packing your dishes and glasses, clearly label your boxes. This ensures that anyone handling them knows to treat them with extra care.

Write ‘Fragile’ on all sides of the box and include ‘This Side Up’ arrows to indicate proper positioning. These small details can make a big difference during transport, ensuring careful handling.

Don’t Overpack the Boxes

Fitting as many dishes as possible into one box may be tempting, but overpacking can lead to breakage. Balance is key. Ensure there’s enough padding between items and that the box isn’t too heavy to lift comfortably.

If a box feels too full, pack the remaining items into a separate box to avoid breakage. Balancing protection and weight is essential to prevent mishaps, ensuring your fragile items arrive safely.

Use Dish Pack Boxes for Extra Protection

For added safety, consider using dish pack boxes. These boxes are designed with dividers and thicker walls to keep your fragile items in place and shield them from impact. Dish pack boxes offer more structured protection for your valuable items, ensuring each item is secured and protected throughout the move.

Investing in these specially designed boxes can significantly enhance the safety of your dishes during a move.

Bonus Tips for Packing Dishes Safely

Packing in layers is a smart strategy. Start with heavier items like plates and bowls at the bottom and finish with lighter items like glasses on top. This distribution balances the weight and provides stability.

Leave some space at the top of the box. Once packed, add a layer of crumpled paper or bubble wrap before sealing it. This extra padding can absorb any shocks from the top.

Before sealing the box, gently shake it to ensure there’s no movement inside. If items are shifting, add more padding to secure them. These additional tips can significantly improve the chances of your dishes arriving safely at your new home.

Summary

Packing dishes for a move requires careful planning and the right materials. From gathering essential supplies to using dish pack boxes for extra protection, each step is crucial to preventing breakage.

By following this ultimate guide and utilizing the tips provided, you can ensure your dishes arrive safely at your new home. Remember, careful packing today means a stress-free move tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions