How to Pack Dishes & China Without Breaking

The idea of moving to a new home is exciting. However, the actual packing process can be a real struggle. That especially applies when dealing with fragile items, which can cause many problems for packers. This guide focuses on how to pack dishes and other kitchenware items. You won’t have to call moving companies and pay them extra to get those things ready for the move. Are you ready to discover how to deal with delicate items and appliances? Here is a detailed explanation of the packing process!

The Importance of Preparation

If we consider packing, there’s not much difference between local and long-distance moving. Whether the items will spend an hour or ten in the truck, their fragility implies they require proper packing. You probably have fine china that you care about a lot. Perhaps it’s your plan to use it often in the new home, but it should arrive there safely first.

The first step in learning how to pack china is preparation. If you organize everything beforehand, the actual packing will be as easy as ABC.

Here are the steps to do before packing:

1. Note everything you want to pack. Head to the kitchen and write down all things to take with you. A detailed list will ensure you don’t miss anything. If you plan on hiring moving companies, consider taking photographs. That will ensure you’ll have proof of the items and their condition before the move.
2. Find suitable boxes. You’ll need boxes of different sizes, depending on how big the items you are packing are. The general tip is to go with small or medium units. That’s because you don’t want a box to be loaded with heavy items. It increases the risk of breaking and destroying everything inside.
3. Prepare other moving supplies. Apart from boxes, it’s necessary to find wrapping paper, bubble wrap, and scotch tape. You can even use old newspapers instead of packing paper. It can help to acquire a marker to write the contents of each box. Additionally, stickers marked fragile could indicate which boxes need special care.

How to Pack Dishes for Moving

Some moving companies, such as Allied, offer affordable prices for a full service that includes packing. You could save some money by packing the items yourself. It’s vital to do everything right, especially when dealing with fragile items. That’s why you’ll apply the same approach as long-distance moving professionals.

Here are the detailed steps and explanation of how to pack china and other kitchenware.

1. Sort Everything Out

The initial step is to sort all the items you have in your kitchen. Remember that you don’t have to keep everything you own. Instead, you can donate duplicate kitchenware or things you don’t use.

Make sure there’s sufficient space for sorting everything. Use tables to arrange dishes and fine china. Apart from sorting them into different categories, arrange them by weight and size. Once you finish, you’ll know what needs to be packed. That will make it easier to arrange things into boxes.

1. Assemble Boxes

The next step is to get the boxes ready. Make sure you assembled them properly since that minimizes the risk of anything going wrong. It’s wise to get some dividers for the glassware boxes. It’s another protection layer that will keep the items safe. Now, you should place bubble wrap on the box’s bottom.

Your local moving date might be around the corner, so it’s time to pack those dishes. It depends on the box size, but make sure the weight of the items inside doesn’t exceed 40 pounds. That will ensure the box doesn’t break from the weight.

1. It’s Time to Pack the Dishes

Before putting any item in the box, wrap them with packing paper. Those could be old newspapers, foam sheets, or even bubble wrap. You want to place heavy items on the bottom. Those could be ceramic bowls, serving platters, etc. You’ll also need sufficient space to pack cups and bowls of unusual shape. The top tier should be made from the lightest items in that box. If you put a bulky and heavy over a large dish, it increases the breaking risk during the move.

1. Finishing Touches

While you are packing, you’ll notice some gaps between your items. Those empty spaces are a risk because they allow dishes and glasses to move. That’s why filling them up with protective cushioning can contribute to overall item safety. Another great tip is to place an inventory list for a box inside it. This is one of the tricks to use to make your move organized.

Once you finish packing a box, use tape to secure it. You can use a sticker to mark a fragile box. Alternatively, point out to the moving companies which units are fragile, and they will pay special attention to them.

Extra Moving Tips When Packing Dishes and China

You should now have a general idea of how to pack kitchenware for local and long-distance moving. Here are some extra tricks used by moving companies and packing professionals:

• Cups and glasses should always be positioned upright.
• If there is an extra valuable item, consider keeping it with you. That particularly applies if it exceeds potential liability coverage.
• If you stack multiple dishes, place cardboard between each item. This is one of those moving tips that could minimize the risk of scratching or denting kitchenware.
• You can add extra protection by using pillows and blankets around the box walls. It provides better cushioning than packing paper and bubble wrap.
• If you want to minimize the hassle, hire a reliable moving company. These teams can make international and local moving easier. Pick a business like IVL that offers full packing services.

Final Thoughts

Moving into a new home was your dream. However, you are also dreaming about using your precious dishes and china in the new house. That’s why it’s important to pack them properly. We hope that this guide helped you to learn details about packing fragile kitchenware. You can always look for moving companies that offer packing services and pay extra for them to pack fragile items. We reviewed the top moving companies and pointed out their main features and advantages. Don’t hesitate to check the reviews and find your favorite!