When you’re planning a move and thinking about packing up your kitchen, the first thing you’re probably going to want to know how to pack is your dishes. If you don’t pack your dishes, plates, bowls, mugs, cups, and glassware safely, it is likely they will break during your move or while being stored. To avoid this, we’re providing a step-by-step guide to help you pack your dishes for a move.

If you would rather see how our professional packers and movers pack your dishes and glassware, check out our video below on the best ways to pack dishes for a move. 

Materials Needed:

Packing Paper

Dish Boxes

Medium-sized boxes 

Packing tape

Labels

Markers/Pens

Do I Need to Use Dish Boxes for My Move?

We know there are various costs associated with a move, and you don’t want to buy things you don’t necessarily need. We also know that you don’t want to pack your dishes, mugs, and glassware for your move only to discover broken items you have to replace when you get to your new place.

When Should I Use a Dish Box?

Yes, dish boxes are a little more expensive than your average moving box, but that’s because they are much thicker, more protective, and highly durable. If you’re planning to ship your dishes, store your dishes, move long-distance, or move overseas, we highly recommend packing plates, bowls, and glassware in dish boxes.

When you ship or store your boxes, they are stacked on top of each other. Regular moving boxes will collapse under the weight of heavier boxes. Dish boxes are designed to be more sturdy, so that this doesn’t happen. Dish boxes help to protect all of your favorite dish sets and glassware.

How to Pack Dishes for Moving

Step 1: Assemble and Tape Your Moving Boxes

Using high-quality packing tape, fold up and securely tape one end of your dish boxes. Remember that your dishes are heavy so you want to make sure that you are using enough tape to hold the box together.

Step 2: Line the Bottom of the Box with Crumpled Packing Paper

Crumple balls of packing paper to line the bottom of your box. Don’t fold your packing paper. Use the packing paper balls to get the maximum protection for your dishes.

Step 3: Wrap Your Dishes, Plates, Bowls, Mugs, and Glassware

One of the best ways to pack your dishes, plates, and glassware is to lay out your stack of packing paper on a flat surface. One by one, wrap each dish individually and secure it with some tape.

Step 4: Pack Dishes in Moving Box

When you are packing your dishes in a box for moving, start with heavier items first. Put your serving dishes, dinner plates, and bowls at the bottom of boxes. For the top of your dish boxes, place your lighter glassware, like wine glasses. Stemmed wine glasses should be packed extra carefully.

Use varying sizes of crumpled packing paper balls to fill spaces between dishes, so they don’t move during transit. Once you have finished placing your last item in your box, fill the top with more crumpled paper balls. This will help further protect your items, especially those lighter more fragile items you are packing on top.

Step 5: Seal and Label Your Dish Boxes

When you finish packing all of your dishes, label each box with details. If you have a lot of dishes, you may have all of your bowls, mugs, plates, and cups in separate boxes. If you don’t have that many dishes, they may all fit in one box. Regardless, detail what it is in each box on its respective label. You’ll thank yourself later in your new home when you’re able to find exactly what you’re looking for during the unpacking.

Now you know how to pack your dishes, plates, and glassware for a move.If you do not understand something or need any help, please contact our specialists