Your kitchen is often the most difficult to pack and perhaps the room you procrastinate organizing the most. With a combination of delicate and bulky items, finding a way to fit and box everything efficiently can seem as difficult as completing the move itself.

Particularly overwhelming is the emotional bandwidth required to decide what to keep. You might start by decluttering and donating items you no longer need or want in your new home, but regardless, having a solid packing plan for this room can make the whole process a lot simpler.

In this blog, Best Movers’s moving experts share tips on how to pack your kitchen safely and efficiently, including selecting packing materials and handling different glassware or appliances.

Kitchen Decluttering and Sorting: Deciding What To Keep, Donate, or Discard

Decluttering may sound like a tedious prospect, but if you plan and execute it at the right time before your move, it can lighten your load and make it easy to establish your new kitchen. You have to ask yourself the difficult question: What do you truly need in your new home?

When you’re ready, you can start by taking everything out of your cabinets, drawers, and pantry, categorizing items into three groups: keep, donate, or discard. This will give you a clear picture of what you have and what you can live without.

You’ll likely be surprised by some of the things you find. As you sort, think hard about how frequently you use each item. A good benchmark is a year; If you haven’t used an appliance or tool within that time, consider letting it go. Donating items can benefit others while making your move easier.

Packing Small Kitchen Appliances for Safe Transport

Kitchen appliances make great gifts, but they can stack up over the years. Still, perhaps you want and use all those items.

When it comes to packing these appliances, even the ones you might not need but still decide to keep, they can get damaged during your move without proper protection.

Here are a few tips for handling these particular kitchen items:

  • Clean and dry: Thoroughly clean each appliance and ensure they’re completely dry to prevent any odors or mold.
  • Remove loose parts: Detach any removable components, such as blades, bowls, or cords, and pack them separately to avoid damage.
  • Use original boxes: If available, use the original packaging for added protection. If not, choose sturdy boxes that can snugly accommodate the appliance.
  • Wrap carefully: Use bubble wrap or packing paper to wrap each appliance, focusing on vulnerable areas. Secure with tape to prevent shifting.
  • Label boxes: As you would with other items, clearly label each box with the appliance name and “fragile” if necessary for careful handling.

How To Pack Dishes for Moving

Many people consider throwing or giving away their current dishes and glassware just to avoid having to pack them. They require a gentle touch, but with the right packing materials and techniques, you can ensure they’ll arrive at your new home in one piece.

You can start by gathering your boxes and protective materials, such as bubble wrap, packing paper, or dish towels. Begin with heavier items, like plates, and stack them vertically in the box, placing a layer of padding between each dish to absorb shocks.

For glassware, wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap or packing paper and secure it with tape. Place glasses upright in the box, filling any gaps with crumpled paper and again securing them with tape. Write “fragile” in big, conspicuous letters, as you would with other kitchen items.

Organizing and Packing Pots and Pans for Moving

On the whole, pots, pans, and bakeware may be less susceptible to damage from your move, but they can still be prone to scratches, dents, and warping if they aren’t packed correctly. They can also potentially take up a significant amount of space.

Here are some methods of handling and packing:

  • Nest smaller items: Stack smaller pots and pans inside larger ones to save space and reduce movement.
  • Use padding: Place a layer of packing or dish towels between each item to prevent scratches and dents.
  • Wrap handles: For pots and pans with long handles, wrap them with bubble wrap to protect against bending or breaking.
  • Pack flat: Lay bakeware in sturdy boxes, using padding to fill any gaps and prevent shifting during transit.
  • Label clearly: Mark boxes with their contents and indicate which side is up to ensure proper handling.

Best Practices for Packing Pantry Items

Moving on to your pantry, start by checking expiration dates and discarding any expired or unwanted food items. Group similar items together, such as canned goods, dry ingredients, and snacks, to make unpacking easier.

The packing process for these items is similar to that of glassware and dishes, especially for spices and glass jars. Wrap anything fragile in bubble wrap or packing paper, and fill the empty spaces in your boxes with crumpled paper or kitchen towels.

Handling and Packing Kitchen Knives and Tools Efficiently

Loose knives, tools, and utensils can cause injury if they’re left loose or without proper wrapping, especially as you get into the groove of unpacking in your new home. If you have a knife block or magnetic strip, you can use them for safe transport.

If you don’t have these, you can wrap each knife individually in a thick cloth or bubble wrap, securing it with tape to prevent any accidental cuts and protect the blades. For other tools like spatulas or whisks, group them by type and place them in a sturdy box.

Sometimes, you can find clever ways to fit miscellaneous kitchen tools into other boxes, such as between cups or plates. If you do this, make sure you add a note on your label so you aren’t wondering where you placed these when you’re setting up or referring to your checklist.

Organize Your Kitchen Effectively With Our Professional Movers

Packing your kitchen and finding a safe and secure space for them in your vehicles can be difficult. With the help of Best Movers’s professional movers, we ensure your kitchen essentials are packed, organized, and transported efficiently.

Call (867) 446-2653 to schedule your move and experience a stress-free transition into your new home and kitchen.