When packing for a move, the kitchen can be one of the most daunting rooms to start packing up. Between breakable dishes, sharp blades, heavy appliances, miscellaneous kitchen gadgets, and perishable foods, there is a lot to consider when packing your kitchen. However, with some planning and the proper packing supplies, packing your kitchen doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Here are some tips for packing your kitchen during a move.
Gather Supplies
The right tools and supplies can make your move easier and protect your belongings during the process. Here are the basic supplies you should gather before you begin sorting through and packing up your kitchen.
- Moving boxes
- Packing paper or newspaper
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Labels
- Marker
- Zip seal plastic bags
- Towels, linens, and soft clothes
When it comes to the moving boxes, make sure the boxes are in good condition. Since kitchen items can be both heavy and fragile, you should be using sturdy boxes with a reinforced bottom that won’t give out. This will prevent your dishes from spilling out of the box and breaking.
Other supplies that may come in handy when packing kitchen items include rubber bands, paper lunch bags, Styrofoam plates, and a plastic five-gallon bucket. If you have an abundance of glassware and stemware, you may also want to invest in cell kits, a cardboard divider that fits into a moving box and keeps items separate.
Sort Through Your Kitchen
When you begin the kitchen packing process, start by sorting through everything in your kitchen. Go through the food in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry, throwing away all expired or spoiled food items. If there are non-perishable food items you won’t use and don’t want to pack, donate them to a local food bank. For the remaining food, create a plan to use up as much of your perishable food as possible before your move.
Next, go through each of your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Identify which appliances, gadgets, dishes, and pots and pans you use and those your don’t use or don’t want to move. Either sell or donate whatever you decide to get rid of.
Identify Kitchen Essentials
Now that you’ve gathered your supplies and sorted through everything in your kitchen, it’s time to set aside your kitchen essentials. These are the things that you will still need before your move as you’re packing up, and the first things you will need in the kitchen of your new home. They will be among your last items packed and your first items unpacked.
What you consider to be kitchen essentials will vary depending on your cooking habits and preferences, but some items to consider include a set of dishes, cutlery, and a cup for each person, a versatile pot, staple foods, a coffee maker with filters, dish soap, a dish sponge, and a dish towel.
Pack Your Kitchen
Finally, it is time to begin packing up the rest of your kitchen. The general guidelines for packing any room still apply to your kitchen. Pack heavier items in small boxes, and try to fit miscellaneous items in the boxes where possible to fill the boxes. Nest items together to save space. Make sure to label all boxes containing breakable items as “fragile” and label the top with “this side up.” Start by packing items that aren’t frequently used, such as specialized utensils, special occasion dishes, cookbooks, and decor. Also, keep some snacks handy in case you get hungry while packing and moving!
Appliances
Before packing appliances, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned and dried. Refer to the owner’s manual for instructions on how to safely disconnect the appliance. For appliances that are hooked up to a water or gas line, consider calling a professional to disconnect the appliance.
Appliance power cords should be wrapped in packing paper, a towel, or a plastic bag, especially if there is a chance of rain or snow during your move. Wrap any small or fragile pieces in bubble wrap or packing paper and pack with the rest of the appliance. When possible, pack appliances in their original boxes and packaging, including the owner’s manual.
After cleaning all the food out of your refrigerator, defrost the freezer and clean both the freezer and refrigerator. Plan to install your fridge and freezer first when you move into your new home, so you can keep your perishable food fresh.
Tableware and Cookware
When packing dishes, wrap each item in packing paper or bubble wrap and stack one on top of another. You can also use towels, linens, or soft clothing as packing material to cut down on waste and packing material costs. Another easy way to pad plates is using Styrofoam plates between each one in the stack.
Wrap each piece of glassware or stemware individually. You can use packing paper, bubble wrap, brown paper lunch bags, or even socks.
Keep silverware separated by type when packing to prevent sorting through it all while unpacking. Wrap each silverware bundle in packing paper and secure with rubber bands or string. Alternatively, place each bundle into separate zip sealed plastic bags. Pack the utensils in a smaller box, like a shoe box, that can be added to a larger box. Pack sharp knives in a knife holder or wrap each blade in cardboard.
Stack pots and pans in the boxes by size, with the largest on the bottom. Wrap glass lids in packing paper or secure the lid on the saucepan with tape.
Food
When packing food, only pack boxed or canned food in moving boxes. Move everything else in bags or a separate box to prevent crushing or spilling. Don’t pack too many cans in one box, as the weight of cans quickly adds up. Pack a layer of cans at the bottom of the box and pack lighter items on top.
If you’re looking for a moving company to help move your kitchen and the rest of your home, contact us for more information!
Recent Comments