Moving into your new home is an exciting time, but moving also means packing!
Whether you are moving around the corner or you’re completely new to Charleston, properly packing all of your belongings is key for a headache-free move.
While some items, like clothes and shoes, may be easier or less worrisome to pack, there are others you must pay close attention to.
In addition to electronics, moving kitchen items like glassware, silverware, and appliances requires careful thought.
Before you start putting your kitchen materials in boxes, it’s important to know the best tips for packing them.
In this post, we share some expert advice for packing everyday kitchen items.
Finish Food
When it comes to packing kitchen items, food is not something you generally want to bring a lot of. Finish up any perishable food items before you move. Be mindful not to purchase too many in the weeks leading up to the move.
The same goes for open boxes of non-perishable items. These aren’t really worth moving, and they can spill or leak along the way.
Ideally, keep as little food as possible for the move. Proper planning can help you finish up most of your food before the move. Still, if you have to move suddenly or have sealed food left, then it may be worth bringing. In that case, be sure to properly wrap any food items and to unpack them as soon as possible.
Determine What You Will Move
Before jumping into your packing preparation, take a moment to evaluate your belongings. This goes for all categories of items, but many people don’t realize all of the kitchen utensils they’ve accumulated until they go to pack it!
Rather than moving kitchen items you do not use or want, take this time to get rid of them. If you have several versions of the same item, or some that you find you no longer use, that’s a good sign it’s time to find them a new home.
Furthermore, many people plan to upgrade certain kitchen appliances and items upon moving. If you already have a plan for a new dining set, then don’t bother moving your current one!
Offer items you don’t want to family/ friends, post them online or donate them to a local shelter. This way, someone who needs them can get use of them, and you can save yourself time and stress on packing!
Sort Items
Rather than having a ton of boxes just labeled “kitchen”, sort through your kitchen items. Sorting items by type or location in the room can make for a much quicker unpacking process later. Smart packing for your move in Charleston saves you time and energy late on.
When it comes to kitchen items, consider grouping similar items. For example, put all utensils together, cups and mugs in another pile, plates in another, kitchen appliances (like mixers and toasters) in another, etc. This can help you pack in the most secure way, as you’ll have similarly-sized items in each box.
Another option is to sort items by location. When doing this, consider where you want the items to go in your new home, not necessarily where they were in your current home. You could make a pile for “drawers next to the stove”, “cabinet above sink”, “island drawer 1” etc.
This method makes unpacking a breeze, and will also ensure that your moving team puts boxes in the best location.
Wrap Fragile Items
There’s a good chance that some of your kitchen items are glassware. To prevent them from breaking, you must pack them smartly.
For one, use a separate box for any fragile kitchen items, including mugs, glasses, glass plates, etc. Line the box with bubble wrap and packing paper. Then, wrap each glassware item separately as well. Make sure to label the box as fragile!
One extra tip is to use kitchen towels for extra padding! You can push kitchen towels between the wrapped fragile items, and/or use them to line the box.
Bundle Silverware
The last thing you want is silverware flying everywhere when you go to unpack. A simple tip is to combine the silverware and bundle it together.
Make a separate bundle for each type of silverware. So, bundle butter knives together. Create another bundle for forks, one for spoons, and so on. Once bundled, you can pack silverware in a small box, or sit it in a larger box with other kitchen items.
Secure Sharp Knives
To protect yourself, movers, and your other items, wrap any sharp knives. If you have the original packing, this works great. If not, then wrap each knife with packing paper and a towel. Secure with a rubber band, and then wrap with cling wrap.
When packing the knives in the box, point the sharp blade downward. You can also label that the box contains sharp objects to prevent injury when unpacking.
Simplify the Process
Moving kitchen items properly helps prevent items from breaking. It also makes unpacking easier, and keeps everyone safe. After learning some of the top tips for packing kitchen items, you may wonder if there’s an easier way.
The good news is that there is!
During your move, you already have plenty of logistics to worry about. Instead of spending extra time packing and moving kitchen items, turn to the experienced team at Smooth Move.
With years of experience, we know the best way to pack all of your items, including common kitchen items. From dishware to glasses and beyond, we can handle it all. You won’t have to stress about packing supplies or methods when you turn to our team.
As professional local movers, we know the most efficient and safest way to pack and move your kitchen items. We make sure all of your belongings are safe and handled with care.