How To Pack Dishes For Moving

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1. Home>
2. How to Pack Dishes For Moving>

What’s the best way to pack dishes for moving? If you’ve ever had to move your kitchen goods to a new home, then you know just how easy it is to break these fragile items. Fortunately, you can avoid breaking your plates, bowls and glasses by using the right materials and packing techniques. Want to know how to pack plates and other dishes so they don’t break? Here’s our 8-step guide for packing and moving these fragile kitchen necessities.

The best way to pack dishes and glassware 

1. Get rid of items you don’t need

   First, it’s important to purge your kitchen of any and all dishes and glassware that you no longer want or need. In our opinion, the best way to pack dishes is to avoid packing and moving items you no longer use. For instance, if you have an unused set of dinnerware, we recommend donating or selling it before the move. Packing plates and bowls is a time-consuming process. In addition, you’ll need extra packing materials (think: more packing paper, boxes, etc.) to pack everything up. Why waste your time and money moving items you will not use anyway? Unused plates, bowls and glassware also take up room in your kitchen cabinets that you could be using for other more important items.

2. Take note of your inventory

   After you’ve ditched what you don’t need, take note of what you do plan to move. We recommend taking photos of your dishes and glassware items before packing them in boxes. Make sure to record how many of everything you have (i.e., 12 dinner plates, 12 salad plates, 10 bowls, etc.). This way, you’ll know if anything goes missing during the moving process. If using a moving company to move belongings, writing down an inventory list and taking photos of items beforehand could come in handy for insurance purposes later down the road.

3. Double-check your insurance options

   Speaking of insurance, it’s always a good idea to review your insurance and liability options before moving breakable items such as plates and glassware. All licensed moving companies offer Released Value Protection. This covers 60 cents per pound per item if something is broken or goes missing during a move. You may also be able to opt for more comprehensive coverage known as Full Value Protection, which means the mover is liable for the current value of your goods. Of course, if you pack the dishes and household items yourself, then the movers may not be liable for anything that becomes broken in the process. If this is the case, you may want to consider purchasing moving insurance from a third-party insurance provider.

4. Set a few plates aside to use before moving

   Chances are good that you’ll begin the packing process well before your move. Before packing up kitchen items, make a plan for what plates, bowls and glasses you plan to use in the week or weeks leading up to the move. We recommend setting a few dishes aside for use or buying paper plates to use the last week before your move. If you decide to set plates and bowls aside to use, make sure you have a few extra packing supplies on-hand for packing them all up right before the move.

5. Gather the right moving supplies

   The best way to pack dishes is to use the best moving supplies for the job. Without the right packing supplies, your dishes, bowls and glasses may not make it to the new home in one piece. Here are a few moving supplies we recommend having on-hand for packing dishes and glasses: Sturdy cardboard boxes, dish packing partition kits, glass packing partition kits, packing tape, packing paper and dish wrapping paper for moving, bubble cushion rolls, foam pouches, and a sharpie marker for labeling. Small to medium-sized moving boxes work best for these fragile and heavy items.

6. Assemble boxes

   After gathering the right moving supplies, start putting together your moving boxes. Make sure these boxes are sturdy, corrugated and capable of withstanding pressure. The last thing you want to use when packing fragile items is a box that has been damaged. If you’re planning to pack items in used cardboard boxes, make sure these used boxes are in good working condition. Check out our tips for assembling boxes. Once the boxes are set up, place the glass and dish packing partition kits inside. These are an absolute must when packing dishes and glasses. These cardboard partition kits are designed to separate and protect individual dishes and glasses inside the moving box. This prevents items from shifting and breaking while in transit. It also provides an extra layer of protection to items inside. Once the partition kits are inside, we recommend inserting a layer of protective cushioning at the bottom of each cell divider. It doesn’t matter whether it’s packing paper, foam peanuts, or bubble cushioning; you want something that will add a layer of protection to your dishes and glasses.

7. Start packing

   Once your supplies are gathered, and your boxes are assembled, it’s time to start packing items. Here’s how to correctly pack everything from plates and bowls to glasses and china.

   How to pack plates and bowls:

   We recommend laying one or two pieces of packing paper flat on the ground for plates and bowls. Place the plate or bowl at the edge of the dish wrapping paper for moving and wrap the paper around the item several times. For bowls, make sure the paper is bunched up inside the opening. Secure the packing paper with tape. If you prefer to place dishes inside foam pouches instead of packing paper, you can do this instead. Once the dish is properly protected, place it inside a partition. Fill any extra gaps with foam peanuts or additional packing paper. Close the box and secure it with packing tape.

   How to pack cups and mugs:

   To pack cups and mugs, we recommend using packing paper or bubble cushioning, as these protective layers can be easily molded around items to protect both the inside and outside. Wrap the cups or mugs in a layer of protective cushioning and secure them with tape. Place inside the moving box in one of the partitions. Surround any empty space with additional cushioning. Close the box and secure it with packing tape.

   How to pack glasses and stemware:

   Glasses and stemware must be packed with the utmost care, as these items tend to be especially breakable. You can use packing paper, bubble cushioning and foam pouches – or a combination of these – to protect the items. If using packing paper or bubble cushioning, we recommend rolling the glass or stemware item along with a layer of this protective wrap. As you roll the glass or stemware item, stuff the inside gap with packing paper or bubble cushioning. If using foam pouches, make sure the item is properly protected. You may want to double up. Use two foam pouches instead of one. Carefully place inside the box and fill empty gaps with additional cushioning. Secure the box with packing tape.

   How to pack china and crystal:

   Given that china and crystal are particularly valuable, we recommend giving these items extra attention. Using packing paper, bubble cushioning or foam pouches (or a combination of these materials), wrap and secure each piece of china or crystal in several protective layers. For crystal glasses, make sure the insides of the glasses are stuffed with paper for additional protection and secure with tape. If you have the original boxes that the china and crystal came in, we recommend reusing these for the move. In the case that the individual boxes are small, you may be able to fit several inside one small moving box. What if you don’t have the original boxes? It’s best to use a box and dish/glass partition kit to keep each piece isolated. Fill empty gaps with extra cushioning and secure the box with packing tape.

8. Label all boxes

   Finished packing? Now it’s time to label your boxes. As you finish placing items inside each moving box, be sure to label the outside of your box with what’s inside. We also recommend indicating where you want the box to go. For instance, “Kitchen” or “Dining Room,” so movers know where to place the box in the new home. Make sure to add a “FRAGILE This Side Up” sticker as well. This way, movers will know to handle these boxes with care and won’t just willy-nilly throw them in the back of a moving truck.

Ready to move?

Of course, the best way to pack dishes, plates and other fragile items is to hire professionals for the job. Fortunately, many movers and shipping companies specialize in packing and handling these very things. You don’t have to look any further than Moving.com to find them. We vet our moving partners to make sure they are detailed, reputable, and reliable. All relocation companies in our network are also licensed and insured, which means your move is sure to be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!

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Author: Marian White

If anyone knows how to move, it’s Marian White. The South Carolina native spent the last decade living and working in Washington, DC, New York City, Boston and Palm Beach. With every move, she mastered the art of folding bankers boxes, repurposing bubble wrap and unabashedly asking for directions. Before writing for Moving.com, Marian authored “Moving to Palm Beach County: The Un-Tourist Guide,” a relocation guide for moving to the Palm Beaches. Marian has an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications from Emerson College and a B.A. from Furman University.View all posts by Marian White

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