Once you start preparing for your local moving adventure, you will face a task most of us strongly dislike. The unavoidable problem we’re talking about – packing dishes for moving. How do you do this without breaking half of your fragile items? We’re here to tell you everything on how to pack dishes for moving, so you can avoid relocation stress and have an efficient move.
Where to Start Packing When You Are Moving Your Kitchen?
Wrapping up the kitchen before your residential move is usually a headache, but it doesn’t have to be. Of course, it’s no walk in the park, but hey – it can’t be as complicated as relocating a piano, right? If you do a bit of research and learn a few relocating hacks, you should be able to do this just fine. So, don’t waste time worrying when you can spend the day visiting some of the best places for a San Francisco staycation or explore the beautiful nature of the Bay Area. Keep reading to find out the best way to pack dishes, we will tell you where to start, how to do it, and common mistakes you should avoid, so read on.
Which Materials Do You Need for Packing Dishes?
You will have to get a couple of different kinds of supplies. They are all easy to find and won’t be hard to fit in your relocation expenses checklist. Plan a trip to your local supply store a few days before you plan on starting to pack. Here’s what you’ll need to buy:
- Boxes – You can buy standard packing ones, or if you want to be a bit economical, you can get boxes for free in the local store.
- Dish barrel – This box is designed for dishware, and it is the ultimate solution since the chances of something breaking are minimal, but it is a bit more expensive than the standard packages.
- Packing papers – Of course, you will need plenty of those. This supply is hard to avoid when you have to wrap a plate and a glass.
- Tape and markers – It is essential to get an excellent tape that can adequately secure your packages, and don’t forget markers for labeling them.
- Bubble wrap – If you don’t trust papers to keep your belongings in one piece, bubble wrap is an excellent alternative.
What Should You Do Before You Start to Pack?
Your first instinct is probably to start wrapping as soon as possible, so you can just get over this unpleasant work, but don’t do that. Trying to do things quickly will only leave you vulnerable to mistakes, and maybe you’ll even overlook some of the most commonly forgotten things. You don’t need these complications on top of everything there is to do before the move, especially if you’re relocating with pets, kids, or both. Just take a deep breath and relax, you got this.
Before You Start Packing, Sort Your Belongings First
This is a simple step, and yet it can help you a lot. When you get to the kitchen, you probably won’t even know where to start. This is why it’s crucial to sort all of your delicate items. Decide which ones are the most valuable and need extra protection and set them aside. You will do these last. We’ll explain why later. Divide everything by shape and size, and don’t forget to wash and dry every piece carefully. When you’re done with that, let’s get started.
Learn How to Pack Dishes for Moving Without Any Problems
If you’re wondering what is the fastest way to pack for a move, we’ll tell you that is – funny enough – taking things slowly. This is especially true when we’re talking about the kitchen. You should take your time with this room since most of what you’ll be packing is delicate and can easily break when the truck hits a few bumps. Now, let’s go step by step through the process.
The First Step Is Getting the Moving Box Ready
Transporting dishware to the new home requires using boxes with extra secured bottoms. You wouldn’t want the package to fall open once the movers get it out of the truck, naturally. This is precisely why we advise you to tape the bottom of the box carefully and the bottom half of the sides as well. Spend as much tape as necessary to be sure everything will go smoothly during transport.
Fill the Box With Packing Paper
This is one of those tips that sound obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many people don’t know they should do this. It’s a simple thing but often overlooked. Let’s avoid that mistake. Remember that you should always put a thick layer of paper on the bottom before anything else! Experts say that papers work better when crumpled and that folding them is not of any use.
Now It’s Finally Time to Wrap Dishes
You should start with packing plates, considering that it is the easiest part and helps you learn the basics for other dishware. First, clear your kitchen table and prepare a pile of paper you will use. So, how do you wrap dishes for packing? Lay a piece of wrapper and put the dish on top. Now you want to carefully pull the edges to the center of the dish. Once they meet in the middle, you can easily tape them, and voila, your dish is wrapped.
Tips on How to Put Dishware in the Box
Since nothing about kitchen stuff is simple, this isn’t either, of course. Hold on, we’re almost done. All there’s left to do is carefully put the item in the packaging. But, there’s one trick you should know, and that is to never place dishware horizontally – this way, they are more likely to break one another. If you put them vertically as you are supposed to, the chances they’ll get damaged are slim. And obviously, heavier things go to the bottom so that they can’t break delicate ones.
Label the Boxes and You’re Done
This is why we suggested buying markers. Writing FRAGILE on the package is a must-do. This way, movers will know that they have to be gentle because they are transporting fragile items, and you won’t end up having to buy new stemware or bowls. Additionally, you can write THIS SIDE UP and put an arrow so that dishware doesn’t get broken if the package is turned upside down.
How Do You Pack Dishes for Moving Without Paper? We Have Some Great Tips for You
We’ve previously said that this is one of the essential things to have if you want to wrap stuff. However, if you find yourself in the position where you’ve either run out of papers or forgot to buy them in the first place, we can suggest a few alternatives that can help you move efficiently. Not everybody knows this, but using towels is a genius solution for the problem in question.
They are soft, fluffy, and will protect your dishware from virtually anything. Clothes can be of use as well, such as old T-shirts, if you haven’t already donated things during the decluttering stage. Just be sure you’re not using your favorite stuff! One of the tips for pros is – socks are an excellent solution for protecting stemware and glasses. You’ll have them home in one piece, it’s guaranteed.
Should You Wrap Dishware in Newspapers?
We strongly advise against this. Why? Keep in mind that the newspaper has a lot of ink that can transfer to your pieces. It could be washable in some cases, but you never know. Don’t risk permanently staining your belongings with a newspaper. Better use towels or standard supplies.
Can You Pack Plates and Bowls the Same Way?
Are you wondering how do you pack large serving bowls for moving? Can you do the same thing you did with plates? Sure, you can. Most commonly, these types of dishware are packed in the same manner. What does that mean? Well, for starters, it means vertical placing in the package. This is the most crucial part. It also means that your bowls should be at the bottom, considering that most of them are pretty heavy and will crush things like glasses if you are not careful enough. And lastly, it is usually wise to keep some of the stronger packages for this type of dishware, or even better – transport them in a dish barrel. Check the video below for instructions on how to wrap bowls in bubble wrap.
What About the Stemware and the Glasses?
The basics on how do you pack dishes when moving stay the same here as well. The only difference is that this stuff is a bit more breakable, so you better take things easy. This is why we previously said it would do you good to leave the most valuable things for the end. Once you’ve gotten all of those bowls and other heavy dishwares out of the way, it’s time to get concentrated.
You’ve practiced wrapping, so that won’t be an issue. You just need to do this slowly and feel free to spend as many supplies as you want. It is better to add a few extra wrappers than lose an expensive piece of glassware, don’t you agree?
How to Transport Stemware and Glassware?
Most people who move often would tell you that you should get a few medium-sized packages for this purpose. That is generally a rule that you can apply to all the dishware, but it is extra important to follow this rule for the delicate and valuable glass or crystal. Put the glass on the side when you lay it on the paper, and then simply roll. When you’re done with that, stuff the ends of the wrapper into the glass and add additional papers into the glass, and you are all set. It wasn’t so scary after all, what do you think?
The Most Common Mistakes You Should Avoid When Packing Dishware
Is it the relocation stress or simply you being in a hurry? No matter what the reason, it has been noticed that people who don’t know how to pack dishes for shipping commonly make a few minor mistakes that can cost them a lot of broken things. If you don’t want to be running to buy new dishware on the very first day you settle in the home, maybe you should pay attention to the following list of the most common mistakes:
- Not putting enough wrapper on the bottom of the package – padding the packets is an essential step, but somehow it is often forgotten because we tend to only worry about how to wrap things the right way.
- Not putting papers on top before you seal the package – In case you don’t remember to do this, dishware will bounce the whole way to your home. There shouldn’t be any space left in the package once you’re done stuffing it with paper.
- Putting too many things in one package – You should never do this, not only when it comes to dishware, but all household things, like when you pack books. The package can easily break if it is too heavy, so don’t risk it – it’s better to have lighter packages.
- Transporting dirty dishware – Maybe you don’t have the time to unpack the dishware right away once you arrive in your new Bay Area town. Imagine the mess you’d have to clean if you leave dirty containers packed for days!
- Not securing the packages well enough – It’s the same problem as the overpacking. The packaging simply cannot take all the weight if it’s not adequately tapped.
Now When You Know How to Pack Dishes When Moving, All You Need Are the Best Bay Area Movers
Before you start preparing for your relocation, you must find reputable San Francisco movers. It’s indeed hard to choose between so many Bay Area moving companies, but you’re in luck – you’ve already found us. Our movers in Bay Area can make your local move the best one yet! In case you decide you don’t want to bother with residential relocation on your own – even if you know how to pack dishes for a move – we also offer excellent packing services that will make your life so much easier. If commercial relocation is what you’re looking for, we have that as well. With us, you’re bound to have time to check other items on your to-do list before it’s time to move. Say goodbye to your old neighborhood with a going-away party, and let us worry about everything else. Feel free to contact us for more information, and book your move today!