How to Pack Your Kitchen: Tips on Moving Dishes, Glassware, Appliances and More
Keep kitchen items safe and intact as you pack and move into your new home
As one of the most-used areas of a home, the kitchen is typically one of the last rooms to be packed during a move. You need your dishes and cooking supplies, right? And the idea of packing all of those appliances can be more than a little overwhelming. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be such a headache – especially if you heed our tips and tricks.
In This Article
Get Started Early
Pack up your large serving dishes, fancy tablecloths, specialty pots and pans, and anything else you don’t use on a regular basis (fine china, fondue set, etc). You’ll also want to start eating up your pantry, refrigerator and freezer, so go easy on the grocery shopping until you’re in your new home!
As your move gets closer, start packing your everyday dishes, utensils, appliances and more:
Cups and Glassware
Wrap cups and glassware with packing paper, starting from the corner and wrapping diagonally while tucking in overlapping edges, and be sure to pack these items in an upright position. For extra protection, pad with bubble wrap.
Plates
Begin by placing cushioning (bubble wrap or several sheets of crumpled packing paper) at the bottom of a box. Next, wrap each plate in one sheet of packing paper, and wrap two to three plates in a bundle using packing paper or a double layer of newsprint. Stand the plates on their edges (they’re less likely to break this way), and add padding on top of them. To create a level base above your first row of plates, use a horizontal cardboard divider. Once you’re finished, label your boxes “Fragile, This Side Up.”
Silver and Flatware
Protect your silver pieces from tarnishing by wrapping them in newsprint or plastic wrap, and wrap flatware (individually or in sets) in paper, clear plastic bags or small boxes. If your silverware is in a chest, fill the voids to prevent shifting and wrap the chest in a large bath towel.
Pots and Pans
Nest graduated sizes of pots and pans together, using packing paper to separate each item. Place the nested group upside down on packing paper, wrap with three additional sheets of paper and secure the bundle with tape.
Large Appliances
Disconnect and empty your large appliances – refrigerator, stove, dishwasher – of all contents and movable parts (these should be all be packed separately), and secure any doors and drawers with movers’ stretch plastic wrap and packing tape. Refrigerators must be unplugged for 24 hours before they are moved and should be carried upright. If you have a gas stove, remember to turn off the gas before your disconnect it.
Small Appliances
Wrap each appliance with packing paper or bubble wrap, and pack each one separately in a box close to its size – avoid packing multiple appliances in one large box. If there are any gaps in the boxes, fill with crumpled packing paper until the appliance fits snugly.
Cookbooks
Group cookbooks by size and pack them in small book cartons, either flat or with the spine touching the bottom of the carton. For extra protection, wrap each cookbook individually.