The kitchenware used in almost all households is fragile and needs extra care when handling. This especially applies when packing for a move. If you’re moving from one house to another, you need to know how to wrap dishes for moving. If you have never packed containers before for moving, we’ll tell you all that you need to know to make the process easier for you.
Get The Right Packing Supplies For Dishes
Different people use different types of packing material to wrap plates for moving, depending on what is readily available. These materials are your best bet if you want everything to arrive in your new house unbroken:
| Item | Recommended Amount | Purpose | Eco-Friendly Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bubble Wrap | 2-3 rolls (12 inches wide, 50 feet long) | Protects delicate items like glassware and stemware | Reusable packing blankets |
| Packing Paper | ~10 lbs | Wrapping plates, bowls, and breakables | Recycled paper, newspaper |
| Packing Tape | 2 rolls of high-quality tape | Secures boxes and prevents them from opening | – |
| Midsized Boxes | 5-7 boxes (18” x 18” x 16”) | Safely packs dishes while being manageable to carry | Reused boxes from stores or friends |
| Markers | 1-2 permanent markers | Labeling boxes as “Fragile” and organizing contents | – |
| Biodegradable Packing Peanuts | As needed | Fills empty spaces to prevent movement | – |
| Old Towels/T-Shirts/Linens | As needed | Cushions and protects dishes | Repurposing household items |
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Dishes Packing Instructions
It doesn’t matter if the dishes are cheap, costly, your favorite set, or not; it still hurts to find a few broken dishes when unpacking. Learn how to wrap dishes when moving by following these simple instructions:
- Strengthen the underside of the box with the tape. Don’t just tape the flaps. Instead, extend the tape to go at least halfway up on the sides of the box.
- Add a ‘strong enough’ lining at the base of the box and test its strength by slightly pushing it down.
- Wrap the dishes ensuring that it’s completely covered.
- Pack the dishes, carefully placing one on top of the other. Don’t put too many dishes in one box as it could easily open up when lifted, causing the plates to shatter.
- Seal the box firmly with packing tape.
- Label the box indicating ‘this side up’ and mention that whatever’s inside is fragile.
- Load up the boxes into the moving truck to prevent any breakage.
Tips on Packing Dishes
Wrapping dishes for long distance moving can be overwhelming, but we have a few pointers to share. Hopefully, these tips and tricks on how to wrap dishes for moving will help you protect your dishes so they don’t break during transportation:
- Always place the lighter items on top of the heavier ones. If you have plates and bowls, the plates go in first, followed by the bowls.
- The boxes should not be too old or too big. Otherwise, they won’t hold the weight.
- Fill up any extra spaces inside the box (at the top and sides) with the packing material to prevent them from bouncing with every bump hit on the road.
- Place the boxes containing the fragile dishes directly on the truck’s floor to increase their stability and fasten them, so they don’t move along the journey. Avoid placing anything on top of the boxes.
- If you don’t have any of the supplies we suggested, you can pack the plates horizontally inside buckets. While these have no risk of the bottom opening up, you still have to be very careful when moving them.
- Wash the dishes after you unpack if you had wrapped them using newspapers because they tend to transfer some ink onto the dishes.
- Lastly, remember that a little extra caution will save you lots of money and regret. Always take your time when packing the dishes and move them carefully. No matter how well they’re wrapped, they will break if dropped or if the box is subjected to any external force.
If you need more help with packing your dishes, call (800) 919-6332 to talk to the experts at A Plus Moving Group. We are a certified professional moving company that offers packing services across the USA.
