Moving can probably be the longest and most challenging task you have to carry out if you haven’t done it frequently. You can eventually end up stuffing all your things in boxes if you’re an unorganized person.
However, when it comes to the kitchen, amateur packing isn’t going to cut it in this part of the house because you simply can’t deal with broken plates and glasses when you arrive in your new home. Therefore, get your game face on because you’re going to pack up your kitchen like a pro, and we’ll give you the best tips on how to do it.
1. Make a packing list
Start by making a list of things you want to keep and the ones you need to dispose of. Organize the list from “must take” and then move down to “absolute junk”. Don’t just start emptying everything because since the kitchen is the last place to pack when moving, you’ll need a few items to get by until you relocate completely.
Also, put down the names of the appliances you need to take with you so you can arrange packing material accordingly.
2. Hire professional help
Since electronics and fragile items are involved when packing the kitchen for a move, you’ll need to hire professional movers. Professional movers will ensure everything’s packed nice and tight so it doesn’t break during transit.
Seeking help from professional movers like Solomon & Sons Relocation Services will save you tons of sweat and hard work, especially if you’re moving for the first time. Whether it’s a local or nationwide move, you can count on them to get the job done. You can even benefit from their efficient storage services to store away things you don’t need during the relocation.
3. Stock up on supplies
Unlike the things in your bedrooms, kitchenware needs various packing materials to ensure safe traveling. For instance, you’ll need boxes of all sizes because if you’re packing plates or glassware in a giant box with lots of space, you’ll end up with nothing but shards.
Boxes with handles are great for lifting fragile items, medium boxes work well for heavy dishes and cookbooks, and large boxes do wonders for small appliances, glassware, dishes, and bakeware.
Besides boxes, you should buy plenty of bubble wrap, packing tape, and paper. You should also buy dividers to provide extra protection for fragile items.
4. Pack according to the type of kitchenware
Since there are different objects and materials, categorizing your packing is a good idea. Here’s how you should spate items:
– Glasses and mugs
Glassware is best suited for medium boxes because the more closely they’re packed, the less space they have for moving about and getting chipped. Wrap each glass item with either packing paper or bubble wrap and use dividers to stack them in boxes. Remember not to put glassware on the base of the box. Fill it with loads of packing paper or bubble wrap first, and then layer glass items over one another. Dividers are best for keeping fragile and narrow items in one piece. Add layers of bubble wrap or paper to fill in the empty spaces, especially at the top and bottom, and tape up the box tightly.
– Dishes and plates
For plates and flat dishes, stack the boxes with packing paper and place a plate in the middle. Fold a couple of sheets over it and then place another plate. Repeat the process and stack the plates to the top. Once you reach the top, just be extra careful, and fill the remaining space with scrunched paper. You can do the same with bowls, but remember not to stack any glassware vertically in the box.
– Cooking pots and pans
Pots and pans wouldn’t need too much wrapping, but they must be stacked properly to save space. You can’t have only one or two pots awkwardly placed in a single box. So, take a large or heavy-duty box and nest smaller pots into larger ones. It’s best to wad up packing paper around the pots and wrap the glass lids with bubble wrap. Don’t put the lids and pots together; place them separately in a smaller box to avoid damage.
– Utensils
Sharp objects like knives and silverware need special care when packing up. If you’ve got a tray organizer, that’s great for packing all your silverware. If not, the simple solution is to take each group of utensils separately, stack them over each other and tightly wrap them in plastic. Secure each bundle with a rubber band and place the utensils in an appropriate-sized box, a sealable plastic bag, or the designated tray section in an organizer.
We recommend taking extra measures for knives to prevent injuries or damaged boxes. Stack up knives by placing one over a large packing foam sheet and wrapping it up well. Place another knife facing the opposite direction and repeat the process until you get a neat bundle.
– Pantry items
Last but not least, we have food items. We recommend not buying groceries in the last week of moving to avoid wasting food. Any canned or boxed food items should be loaded in small boxes or plastic containers. Glass jars containing liquid should be wrapped in paper or bubble wrap and placed in a plastic bag to avoid leakage. As for spice jars, they should be piled up the same way as your glassware. Just ensure that no food item box is too full or has something heavy placed over them. Throw away anything that’s expired.
Conclusion
Your kitchen can pose a difficult task when it comes to packing compared to the rest of the house. While moving is no easy feat, you can always ensure you don’t have damaged goods when you unpack. The above pro tips will help you pack the kitchen in no time!
