Your dishes are an everyday part of your life, and you likely don’t give them much thought. However, on moving day, they can pose a serious challenge when doing it yourself. The sheer size and weight of your dishes, along with their relative fragility, means you’ll need to take care. Understanding how to properly pack dishes on moving day can help you avoid unpacking broken shards of china once you’ve actually moved into your new home.
Gathering Materials
Be sure to gather all of your materials before you start so that you can expedite the packing process as much as possible. You’ll want multiple mid-sized boxes (ideally small enough to be carried by a single person) that are made out of sturdy cardboard. Dish barrels are recommended, they are double-walled. You’ll also want some sort of packing material, preferably packing paper (also known as newsprint). While packing peanuts and bubble wrap will work, packing paper is likely the easiest material to use and the most affordable option.
You’ll also need heavy packing tape and a marker. All of these items can be found at most storage and moving supply stores if you don’t already own them.
Packing Dishes Properly
First things first, you’ll want to put a few layers of packing paper on the bottom of your boxes. As a general rule of thumb, aim to have at least a 3 to 4 inches of cushioning to make breakage much less likely.
You’ll want to wrap individual dishes tightly with packing paper, in at least two but ideally three layers. Keep similar items in the same box; stacking items that have the same shape is the best way to save space. Plates should be placed on their sides, nested together tightly.
For dishes that have large open interiors, like deep bowls, mugs, cups, and vases, you’ll want to fill the space entirely with packing paper. For longer and more fragile items, it makes more sense to roll them up in packing paper and then secure that paper with moving tape to keep it in place.
Keep your boxes at a moderate weight: 15 pounds is generally a good idea, though you may want to go lighter or heavier depending on how much time you have and how much weight you are comfortable lifting.
Once a box is packed, be sure to fill in any open space with additional packing paper to prevent any shifting while the dishes are in transit. Don’t forget to add cushioning at the top of the box as well to absorb shock when boxes are stacked. Also remember to mark the boxes with which dishes are inside so that the unpacking process will be as easy as possible.
If you’d like help packing and moving your dishes, professional movers can take care of everything for you. If you have any questions or inquiries about moving day, you can contact us at Carmack Moving and Storage.
