How to Pack Dishes for Moving

If you’re wondering how to pack dishes for moving, you’re not the only one. The kitchen is the most difficult room to pack because plates, glassware, and china are so easy to break. It is usually the most time-consuming area of your house to pack, and packing fragile items can give you a headache if not done properly. That’s why we prepared a guide that will help you pack dishes for a move. You can pack like a pro using some tips from professional movers. We included a few guidelines, the best packing materials, as well as some alternatives in case you’re moving in a rush, or want your move to be eco-friendly. Let’s begin with different materials you can use for packing.

Supplies you need when you pack dishes for moving

Paper

Using newspapers is probably the most common way to pack dishes for moving because it’s easy and every house has it. While this was true and tested many times, it may not be the best option. That’s because the ink from newspapers can leave marks on your plates, so you may want to consider using packing paper instead. That’s the industry standard for packing dishes, and it is as easy to find. Check out the nearby moving supply store, ask your moving company, visit Home Depot or a similar store, or get online and purchase this inexpensive material. Any department store will carry packing paper, and you can get a whole bundle without spending a lot.

Bubble Wrap

If you don’t want to use paper or you think it’s not the safest option, you can also use bubble wrap. It is a bit pricier than paper and it’s not as eco-friendly, but it is definitely a super safe solution for your dishes. Because it’s filled with air, bubble wrap will keep the dishes undamaged even if the truck gets on a bumpy road during transit. If you choose this material, go ahead and use the wrap with smaller bubbles because it will be easier to wrap dishes with it.

Towels

If you’re not able to find any packing material but you have to pack dishes for a move, you can look around your home and find some soft fabric instead. For example, towels can be a great solution because they are usually thick and they’ll provide enough protection if you wrap the dishes carefully. The flip side of the coin is that towels can take up too much space and get too heavy if you use a huge box, so rather choose a smaller box when using this packing technique.

Sheets

Besides towels, sheets can also be used to make cushioning and wrap dishes for moving. Keep in mind that they’re thinner than towels, so you’ll have to make extra layers for ultimate results.

Pillowcases

The next items in your household that can serve a purpose if you’re packing in a rush or can’t get ahold of packing materials are pillowcases. Even though they are thinner than towels and you’ll need plenty to wrap dishes properly, they can still be a good solution if you don’t have other options. Just make sure to add extra padding between items in this case.

T-shirts

Another item that’s plentiful in every household – a t-shirt. It can be a great solution for an eco-friendly and inexpensive move. Like all the soft goods listed above, it’s not the best protection for dishes, but it will do the job if you do it properly. Make cushioning before placing anything in the box, and wrap each dish using a t-shirt.

Styrofoam

You can use foam plates to keep the dishes separated and keep them from scratching each other. You’ll still need to wrap them using other material, but Styrofoam can be a great addition to it.

How to Pack Dishes for Moving

Make space

Having a clear space to work on is a must before packing. If you don’t have a kitchen island, your dining table or worktop will do. Place the packing material on the surface first, then put the dish on top of it and wrap it carefully.

Use a sturdy box or a dish pack box

Dish pack boxes are more durable than regular boxes, but if you can’t get one, make sure your cardboard box is in great shape. You want it to be sturdy enough to keep the dishes safe inside during transit. Don’t over-pack the box and make it too heavy because that’s a recipe for disaster when you’re moving fragile items.

Make cushioning

Before placing the dishes inside the box, make a generous amount of cushioning to avoid breaking. Also, don’t forget additional cushioning between dishes when you’re stacking them. You can stack them horizontally or vertically, as long as there’s enough cushioning. Keep in mind though, that dishes are much more likely to break if placed horizontally, so stacking them vertically may be a better option.

Make a bundle

After you wrap three or four plates, go ahead and add additional wrapping around all of them to make a bundle. Tape the bundle together before placing it in a box. Fill the box with bundles until it’s full (or until not too heavy) and seal it.

Label

Don’t forget to use a marker or red tape to mark the box “fragile”. The label should be clearly visible to your movers, and it will also serve you as a reminder when you get in the middle of many moving boxes.

Plan in advance

Planning is crucial for a successful relocation, and the same applies to packing dishes. Make sure to plan, otherwise, you may end up packing last-minute, and poor packing is likely to lead to many broken dishes.

Hire professionals

Eventually, you can always hire professional help and have packers do the job for you. Professional packing and unpacking services are the safest way to have all the dishes in one piece without lifting a finger. They have all the packing materials and experience necessary to get the ultimate results. It is a more expensive option than DIY, but it might save you a lot of nerves. If you’re thinking about hiring professionals, contact Rabbit Movers today.