Packing a kitchen is one of the most stressful undertakings when moving house because of the high amount of delicate, unwieldy, and heavy items that usually need to be transported. Dishes of all shapes and sizes, glassware, mugs, pans, appliances, cookware, pantry goods, and sharp kitchen tools all require special attention when packing. If you are not thorough and patient enough, there is a high risk that something will chip or break during the move. Explore more effective articles on our home page.
Plan Ahead and Use the Right Packing Materials
In order to avoid broken plates, cracked mugs, and smashed pans, it is necessary to take proper measures when packing a kitchen. Firstly, you should consider packing your kitchen items in advance. Secondly, it is vital to use quality packing materials and make sure that nothing is crushed underneath heavier objects. Following a few simple guidelines will help you pack your kitchen in an organised manner and save yourself the trouble of digging through broken things in your new home.
Declutter Before Packing
The first thing to do before starting to box or crate your kitchen items is to go through everything you have at least once. Usually, people tend to accumulate a number of dishes, pans, utensils, and other accessories they barely use. Chipped mugs, expired foods, broken appliances, and old utensils at the back of your kitchen are perfect candidates for disposal. Moving house is an excellent opportunity to get rid of clutter and old things you will never use again. Make sure to throw away all expired and opened foods and categorise items that can be donated. You may need packing paper, bubble wrap, tea towels, towels, labels, markers and strong boxes or reusable moving crates.
Pack Rarely Used Kitchen Items First
Now, all the rarely used items can be packed in the first place. Rarely used things usually include serving plates, formal dinner sets, baking sheets and pans, spare glasses and mugs, mixing bowls, cookbooks, special occasion cutlery, and some small appliances that can be used several weeks after your move.
Gather Your Packing Supplies
Before proceeding to fragile items, make sure to have all the necessary packing supplies at hand. Most often, you will need packing paper, bubble wrap, tea towels, labels, markers, and boxes or moving crates. The latter is an essential supply when moving as boxes can often burst when heavy items are placed on top of them. Moving crates are more reliable and can hold greater weight. Kitchen items are usually heavy, especially plates, bowls, and pantry goods, so it is better to avoid using flimsy cardboard boxes. Instead, use strong moving crates to pack your items.
How to Pack Plates Safely
When packing plates, remember that they hold their shape well when wrapped individually and placed vertically like records. It is advisable to use wrapping paper or any other soft packing material to cushion them. You can use a box or a moving crate to store your plates. Make sure to add a thick layer of paper or tea towels at the bottom of the box or crate, then place the wrapped plates vertically. Fill the box or crate with paper, towels, or other soft packing materials to ensure that they cannot move around during the transfer.
Pack Bowls with Extra Cushioning
You can pack bowls in the same way as plates. However, you should make sure to leave some space between them to avoid damaging their shape. You can also nest them if you have enough wrapping paper or soft materials to wrap each bowl. Never try to cram multiple bowls into one box or crate as they will simply crack under the pressure. Ideally, the boxes or crates should be just filled to the brim with carefully wrapped bowls.
Protect Glasses and Mugs
Unlike plates, glasses and mugs require more attention, so make sure that you have enough wrapping paper, bubble wrap, towels, and soft materials to pack them. Wrap each glass or mug individually and, if possible, fill the inside with paper tissues or other soft packing materials. Place heavier glasses at the bottom of the box or crate and light ones on top. Never leave empty space in a box or crate as it will cause the packed items to shift during transit. If you shake the box or crate and hear something rattling inside, it means you have not added enough packing materials.
Pack Wine Glasses Separately
However, when packing wine glasses, champagne flutes, and other delicate and breakable items, pay special attention to their stems. Wrap them in bubble wrap or packing paper and make sure that they are held firmly in place. If you have space, you can also put them in a separate box or crate to ensure that they do not bear the weight of other glasses.
Pack Pots and Pans Properly
Pots and pans are usually less fragile than glasses and plates, but they require special attention too. Place heavier pots on the bottom of the box or crate and lighter ones on top to ensure that they can bear the weight. You can also put smaller pots and pans inside bigger ones to optimise the space. Nevertheless, make sure to fill the space between them with paper tissues, wrapping paper, or other soft packing materials to prevent them from scratching each other. Always remember to separately wrap pot and pan lids and place them on the side of the box or crate.
Pack Knives and Sharp Tools Safely
When packing knives, make sure not to leave them loose in a box or crate as they can easily cut you. Wrap them in wrapping paper, cardboard, or a towel and secure the bundle so that the knives do not stick out. Make sure to indicate clearly that the bundle contains knives and other sharp objects so that the removalists know not to place it under heavy objects. Other sharp objects, such as graters and peelers, also need to be wrapped in wrapping paper, cardboard, or a towel.
Prepare Small Appliances for Moving
Small appliances usually need special attention when packing. Firstly, always make sure to clean them before packing.
This includes toasters, kettles, blenders, coffee makers, air fryers, and other small appliances. Secondly, make sure to remove all detachable parts, if applicable, and pack them separately. If the appliance has special parts made of glass or any other fragile material, cushion them with tissues or other soft packing materials. Tangle-free cords should also be secured in a special box or crate so that they do not get twisted. Make sure to close all open parts of an appliance and put it in the box or crate with other small appliances.
Pack Pantry Items Carefully
When packing items in your pantry, always check the expiry dates and throw away everything that has expired. Make sure to put all the remaining food items in the tightly closed containers. Always remember that liquids should also be packed upright. If you have opened a food item, you can either clip, tie, or put it in a bag to prevent it from spilling. Always use plastic bags to pack liquids, oils, and other viscous food items. When packing your pantry, never put too many items in one box or crate. Cans, jars, and other containers will make the boxes and crates too heavy, which is why it is wiser to use several smaller boxes and crates instead of a few large ones. Place heavy items at the bottom of the box or crate and light items on top. Always cushion jars made of glass to prevent them from breaking.
Organise Utensils and Cutlery
Utensils and cutlery can be packed in their original cutlery trays wrapped in plastic wrap or paper to keep them from falling out or in separate bundles of similar utensils. Wooden spatulas, ladles, and tongs can be wrapped in paper or plastic wrap and packed in boxes or crates. Make sure to leave some cutlery and utensils in your moving boxes or crates for the first days in your new home so that you have something to clean your plates with while waiting for a dishwasher to be installed.
Pack Cleaning Products Separately
Make sure to pack cleaning products separately from food and other kitchen utensils and tools. Always make sure that the caps of your cleaning product bottles are tightly closed and do not pack them with any fragile items. Moreover, some removalists might have specific instructions as to what cleaning products can and cannot be transported. If in doubt, always contact your removalist company.
Label Kitchen Boxes Clearly
It is vital to label all the boxes and crates that you pack for the kitchen. Always indicate what they contain and what room they belong to. For example, you can label a box or a crate as “Kitchen – plates and bowls” or “Kitchen – pantry items”. Clearly indicate if the box or crate contains any fragile items so that the removalists know how to handle them with care. Label other boxes and crates for the kitchen accordingly.
Prepare a Kitchen Essentials Box
Make sure to leave some essential cooking equipment in an easily accessible box or crate. This way, you will not have to rummage through dozens of boxes looking for a kettle, mugs, plates, and cutlery on the first day of your move. You can leave a small box or a bag with a couple of mugs, a few plates, cutlery, a sharp knife, and some tea towels. You will also need something to make breakfast, so a kettle, a couple of cups, and some coffee, tea, or snacks will come in handy. Always remember that you should only pack what you need for the first days in your new home.
Finish Packing on Moving Day
As the day of your move approaches, start packing your kitchen in advance. Leave some unpacked plates, cutlery, knives, and other essential kitchen items for the last days so that you can make some simple food and drinks. In the morning on the day of your move, you can also pack some additional items to ensure that you can feed yourself and your family for the first few days after your move. Make sure to clean your appliances before packing them. Empty your fridge and freezer and check your cupboards, drawers, and boxes one last time.
