How to Pack Your Dishes for a Move

by Ann Hayward 08/22/2021

If you want to pack your kitchen as efficiently as possible during your move, all you need are the right strategies and materials. Packing dishes is a particular part of the process you can make simpler by following some expert guidelines. Here are some tips for the best way to pack your dishes.

Use the Right Materials

Choosing the right sized box is crucial to successfully packing your dishes. Some moving experts suggest using smaller boxes to avoid making them too heavy. You should also stock up on bubble wrap or dish foam to add extra protection and reduce friction.

Label “Fragile”

You’ll never know what’s inside a cardboard box unless it’s labeled correctly. Without marking the box as fragile movers, friends or anyone else helping you move won’t know they should be extra careful with your dishes. Shipping stores sell brightly colored stickers and labels to mark boxes as fragile, otherwise you can write it yourself.

Cushion the Bottom of the Box

Before you put any dishes in a box, layer the bottom with a protective layer. Bubble wrap, dish foam, packing paper or even newsprint will work perfectly to create some extra cushion. This protects your dishes from impact damage and scratches if the box should tear or break.

Pack Plates Vertically

An amazing packing hack is to add your plates vertically. Wrap each plate in a single layer of protective material and stack them standing side by side, just like you would do in your dishwasher or drying rack. This will save a sizable amount of space in the box compared to stacking them horizontally.

Fill Empty Spaces

Once your box is full, fill up any remaining space with packing material. The idea is to add cushion without adding more weight. This will reduce friction and movement inside the box during the move and make it less likely for your dishes to get damaged.

These are just a few tips for how to pack your dishes efficiently. By using the right materials and strategies, you’ll have your entire kitchen packed up and ready to go.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]