Moving is stressful. One source of stress is concern about your things. Nobody wants to unpack a box to find the contents broken or discover a key item missing. Dishes are one of the things people worry about the most because they are, by nature, fragile. Knowing the best way to pack dishes helps reduce stress and ensure they arrive safely at your destination.
How to Pack Dishes for Moving
First, you want to separate some dishes before you pack. Set out at least one plate, bowl, cup, and silverware per household member. Set tape and packing materials aside to wrap them up. Some people prefer disposable dishes for the few days around the move. Label this box “essentials.” If you are waiting for the movers, take this box in the car if possible.
Dishes should be carefully wrapped. Here are the steps to take:
- Line the bottom of the box with crumpled packing paper.
- Place each dish in the center of a piece of paper and then wrap it. If you have acquired a lot, you can also use bubble wrap.
- Stack dishes with dishes of the same size and type, up to four at a time.
- Turn the stack upside down.
- Wrap the entire bundle and seal it with tape.
- Stand dishes vertically if you can.
- Place heavier items at the bottom.
- Keep the box as light as possible, reducing the risk of being dropped.
- Fill all the space in the box with bubble wrap, crumpled paper, or textiles. This is an ideal place to put your dish towels, napkins, etc. If you have a lot of space, put in light kitchen items such as tupperware containers.
Cups and glasses should also be wrapped, but you should fill the interior with crumpled paper. They should be packed upright in rows.
Label all boxes as “Fragile” on the top and all sides, and put an arrow to indicate the right side up so your movers know how to handle it.
What Do I Need To Pack Dishes?
Here are the supplies you need to safely pack your dishes.
- Packing paper. It’s tempting to use newspaper, but it may leave print all over your dishes. If you DO wrap dishes in newspaper, they must be washed before use.
- Bubble wrap.
- Medium-sized boxes. Don’t overpack fragile items.
- Packing tape.
- Markers.
You might also want to get “Fragile” stickers, but they aren’t necessary. Use a Sharpie and write boldly and cleanly. Dish boxes are the very best option, designed with extra cardboard padding. They’re a bit more expensive, but they’re often worth it. If you have extremely fragile or valuable dishes, such as antique porcelain, get dish pack boxes, which are designed to fit different plates, etc., in a box using cardboard partitions.
What Is The Best Way To Pack Dishes
The best way to pack dishes is vertically in a dish pack box, with each dish wrapped in packing paper. Fill any space left in the box with soft items. If you run out of soft kitchen items, consider using spare towels or linens; just make sure to make a note of what you put where.
Boxes containing dishes should not weigh more than 40 pounds. As you aren’t likely to mess around with a scale, a simple rule of thumb is that you should be able to lift them easily. If you can’t, you increase the risk of the movers dropping or mishandling them. Ensure the boxes are labeled fragile and have a “this way up” indicator.
If you are moving to one of our Anderson Communities, knowing how to pack dishes for moving will help ensure your stuff arrives at your new house or apartment in one piece and ready for the next chapter in your life.
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