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Rodi Pack A Kitchen For Move

Moving: How to Pack a Kitchen for a Smooth Move

The kitchen typically is the hub of the home, and when it’s time to move and pack it up, it’s also one of the most challenging rooms. The kitchen contains many breakable items, but it’s home to an extreme variety of objects that vary in shape, size, and weight. A solid strategy is needed when packing a kitchen for a household move.

Purge What’s Not Needed

Be honest. There are old plastic cups (that were freebies) dominating at least a section of one cabinet. Do they really need to make the move to the new home? Pre-packing is the time to get rid of what’s not needed. Toss, donate, or sell them to lighten the moving load. If you’ve never used that second waffle maker, you received ten years ago as a wedding gift—sell it.

Master List and Packing Materials

Creating a master list for the kitchen makes it easier to track what is packed, what needs to be packed, and which box has what. When making a list, decide what items from the kitchen you’ll need to pack last and open first on the other end of the move. If you know you’ll need the toaster for the first morning in the new home, don’t pack it on the bottom of a box. Packing material recommendations:

  • Large and medium boxes
  • Heavy-duty/reinforced boxes (for heavier dishes, pots, pans, and small appliances)
  • Box dividers, also called glass dividers or glass kits
  • Ink-free packing paper and bubble wrap
  • Packing tape
  • Marker and labels

Line the bottom of all boxes with two layers of packing paper (or bubble wrap).

Pack Seasonal Items First

Pack those holiday dish sets and any other seasonal kitchen items in the first wave. Label accordingly and set those boxes/containers aside.

Storage Containers

Every kitchen has storage containers, whether plastic or glass. When packing a kitchen for a move, sort through these early. Dispose of the old, twisted, and stained-beyond-recognition ones. Plastic containers that can be stacked typically don’t need to be wrapped in packing paper. Larger non-glass containers can be used to hold smaller items like chip clips, measuring spoons, and spoon rests (if breakable, wrap first in the paper.)

Small Appliances

Before packing, every small appliance needs to be clean and dry. Carefully wrap and label blades to the electric knife or food processor. Remove small parts and wrap breakable/glass components. If you’ve saved the original boxes, repack the appliance in its box and seal it securely with packing tape. Don’t forget the owner’s manuals. Tape to each appliance or place all the manuals in a one-gallon plastic bag and then place the bag in one of the appliance boxes.

Pots, Pans, and Large Cookware

Pack the pots, pans, and large cookware in reinforced, heavy-duty boxes. Add another layer of cardboard to the box bottom, and then secure the outside seam with heavy-duty packing tape. This helps ensure these boxes don’t “bottom-out” dumping your pots or ceramic baking dishes.

Dishes, Glasses, and Silverware

The trick to packing dinnerware like plates and bowls without risking chips is to place a layer of packing paper between each. Don’t forget to line the bottom of the box first with two sheets of crumpled paper. Wrap each dish individually and place it in the box. For larger dinner plates, put them on their side in the box. This will prevent the weight of the dishes to cause breakage. Use medium boxes versus large, as the larger ones become too heavy when full.

Cardboard dividers make packing glasses of all sizes easier than having to hand-wrap each one. However, sometimes individually wrapping glasses is necessary. Use double sheets of paper or bubble wrap, which also is ideal for pitchers, vases, and larger glass serving ware.

It can be helpful to have a “first night/morning” box for the kitchen. This box contains any items you’ll need for the first night or morning in the new home. This may include your child’s favorite cereal bowl or sippy cups, plus paper plates, napkins, and plastic cutlery to save on having to do dishes while busy settling in.

On the Move

Kitchens are often packed last as their contents are needed up until right before the move. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start with the purging and packing of the non-essential items as soon as you know you will be moving.

If you need help with the packing or any part of the move, contact us. We can provide a free quote and expert moving service.

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