Proper packing is instrumental in ensuring your dishes arrive in one piece at your new home. On the other hand, improper packing can lead to chips, cracks, and breakage, which can be both costly and frustrating. You must take the required steps to safeguard your dishes during transit.
We have compiled the best way to pack dishes for moving, including the materials needed and step-by-step instructions to ensure that your dishes arrive at your new home safely.
By following these guidelines, you can rest assured that your dishes will make a move in one piece.
Gather Packing Materials
Moving to a new place is adventurous but can also become overwhelming if unprepared. You need the right packing supplies to ensure your dishes are safe during transport.
Following is a comprehensive packing supply list that will help you to prepare for your move:
- Sturdy medium-sized boxes: Choose boxes that are strong enough to hold your belongings. They can be new or used. Local grocery or liquor stores can also help if they have any spare boxes that you can use.
- Packing paper: It is a great option for protecting fragile items, as it’s thick enough to prevent them from breaking during transport. Newsprint is a cheaper alternative but can transfer ink onto your dishes.
- Packing tape: You’ll need tape to seal your boxes securely, so purchase high-quality tape that will hold up during transport.
- Marker: It is used for labeling your boxes. It’s important to label your boxes clearly, so you know exactly what’s inside each one and where it should go in your new home or office.
Prepare Dish Boxes for Moving
The optimum preparation of the boxes before packing is important in ensuring your belongings are secure during transport. You can prevent items from shifting or breaking by taking the time to reinforce the box and add padding.
Reinforce the Bottom
The first step in preparing your box is reinforcing the bottom with packing tape. You must add a couple of tape layers to ensure the bottom doesn’t give way during transport. Once you have added the tape, test the bottom by pushing it with your hand.
Add Padding to Box
Take the packing paper or newsprint to add padding to the box. Padding will help prevent items from shifting during transport and protect fragile items from breaking.
Choose the Appropriate Box Size
When choosing a box, select an appropriate-sized box you’ve reinforced with tape. The right box size will provide a sturdy container for your belongings without being too heavy to lift.
Wrap the Dishes and Box Them Up
Proper packing techniques are essential to ensure that your dishes arrive at your new destination intact and undamaged. My Moving Journey will provide step-by-step instructions on wrapping each dish and boxing it up, ensuring a safe journey.
Wrapping The Dishes
These tips ensure that each dish is individually wrapped and protected during transport.
- Start by laying a stack of packing paper or newsprint on a flat surface.
- Place the first dish at the center of the top sheet, then fold one corner of the sheet over the dish until it is completely covered.
- Then position the second dish on top of the first one and wrap the remaining three corners of the newsprint sheet over the second dish.
- Secure the newsprint in place with packing tape.
Boxing Up the Dishes
Once the dishes are wrapped, they should be placed in the box on their sides.
- Avoid packing plates flat, as this increases the risk of breakage. When plates are placed on their edge, they are better equipped to withstand external pressure when force is applied to the box.
- Firmly pack the dishes to ensure their safety.
- If there is any remaining space in the box, towels or more balled-up paper can fill the gaps before the box is sealed with strong packing tape. These tips ensure the box’s contents are well-protected and secure during transport.
Label the Boxes
It is important to label the box appropriately to complete the packing process. Labeling helps ensure that the box is handled carefully during the move. Mark the box as “fragile” and list the items contained inside, along with their respective location, such as “kitchen” or “dining room.”
Proper packing techniques are essential to ensure your dishes arrive at your new destination undamaged, making your move a stress-free experience.
Load Dish Boxes in the Moving Truck
Renting a moving truck can be an excellent way to save money on your move. However, you must know how to load the boxes on the truck properly to prevent any breakage during transportation.
- When loading the truck, pack fragile boxes on the floor of the truck rather than high on top of other items. This will help prevent any accidental breakage during transit.
- Position boxes containing fragile items below substantial furniture items like desks or tables during a move.
- You can also store them in cabinets that can be securely fastened shut. These hacks ensure the boxes do not shift during transportation, safeguarding the fragile items from damage.
Loading boxes onto a moving truck requires careful planning and execution. Remember to take your time, stay organized, and be mindful of the truck’s weight distribution. With some preparation and care, you can move your belongings to your new home without any damage or stress.
7 Additional Hacks to Pack Dishes for Moving
When packing fragile dishes or China for moving, take precautions to ensure they arrive at your destination undamaged. Here are some additional helpful moving hacks to protect your dishes during the journey:
1. Stack dishes vertically
Rather than stacking plates horizontally, which can cause them to bounce and become vulnerable to damage, wrap each plate, and stack them vertically in a box. Fill any excess space with soft materials like socks, towels, or cloth napkins to keep any gaps in the box secure.
2. Use paint buckets
Orange paint buckets or similar sturdy containers can be a great option for packing plates horizontally. Wrap each plate and stack them on top of one another in the bucket to prevent them from bouncing around.
3. Borrow restaurant racks
If you have a local move, ask your favorite restaurant if they will let you borrow their heavy-duty dish racks for transporting your dishes. These racks are sturdy and can be a great alternative to cardboard boxes. Just load, move, unpack, and return them.
4. Utilize Styrofoam plates
While Styrofoam plates may not be the most environmentally friendly option, using them to separate and protect each plate can effectively prevent damage during transit.
5. Use dish barrels
Consider using sturdy dish barrels specifically designed for moving dishes. These barrels are made of reinforced cardboard or plastic and have separators to keep dishes separated during transport. Barrels are useful if you have an extensive collection of fragile dishes.
6. Invest in bubble wrap
While not the most eco-friendly option, bubble wrap can effectively protect your dishes during a move. Wrap each dish individually and add a layer of bubble wrap between each dish to prevent any movement during transit.
7. Wrap in clothes and towels
Instead of using wasteful wrapping materials like newspaper or bubble wrap, wrap dishes in towels and stuff boxes with rags to secure them in place. When packing wine glasses and stemware, wrap them individually in socks to protect the stems.
Final Thoughts
Packing dishes for a move can be a nerve-wracking experience, but by taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure that your dishes arrive at your new home safely. From utilizing dish barrels to wrapping dishes in clothes and towels, there are various options to choose from based on your convenience. Remember to label your boxes clearly and avoid overloading them to prevent any damage during transit.
If you require a reliable moving company, click here and find the best moving companies
