Some rooms are harder to pack than others. The bedroom, for instance, tends to be quite easy since clothing isn’t fragile and linens are easy to fit in a box. The kitchen, on the other hand, can be one of the toughest rooms to pack up before a move. Between fragile wine glasses and cumbersome appliances, how do you get it all done? These seven tips will at least get you off to a good start.
1. Keep a Donation Box Handy
Packing is a good time to get rid of extra or duplicate items so you don’t have to haul them across the state. Keep a donation box handy in the center of the room as you pack, and toss in anything you don’t need or want. A few good places to donate kitchen items include:
- Thrift stores, which accept everything from appliances to dinnerware.
- Libraries, which are the perfect place to donate cookbooks.
- Food banks, which accept unopened canned goods you don’t want to move.
While you may be able to sell larger items like an extra toaster or microwave, consider whether doing so is really worth your time. If the item will only sell for a few dollars, then donating it is a lot easier.
2. Wrap Two Glasses at Once
All of your glasses need to be carefully wrapped so they don’t break during the moving process. Wrapping each glass individually can take hours, but you can save time and paper by wrapping two at once.
Place one glass in the corner of a large sheet of tissue paper. Roll the glass inward, stuffing the ends of the paper into the glass as you roll. Have a friend sit across from you and roll the second glass from the opposite corner. Your glasses will meet in the middle — and both will be fully wrapped.
3. Pack Appliances in Their Original Boxes
Small appliances like toasters and mixers are oddly shaped and tough to pack. If you still have the original boxes, then pack the appliances in their original boxes into them. Make sure you keep the owners’ manuals in the individual boxes as well so you don’t struggle to find them later.
4. Pack Plates in Buckets
Packing plates in square boxes can be challenging because the plates tend to slide around. A safer way to pack your plates is to stack them inside an old paint bucket. If you don’t have any paint buckets, you can buy them for a few dollars at a home improvement store. Place Styrofoam plates between each ceramic plate for protection.
5. Secure Cords With Zip Ties
To keep cords from getting tangled and damaged during shipment, wrap each cord up into a bundle and secure it with a zip tie. If you do not have zip ties, then a piece of black electrical tape will do.
6. Wrap Sharp Knives Carefully
The last thing you need, when unpacking, is to cut yourself on a sharp knife. Prevent such accidents by taking the time to carefully wrap each of your kitchen knives.
Lay down a stack of three sheets of packing paper. Place the knives across the sheet, leaving about an inch between the knives. Roll the paper over the first knife, and then keep rolling so that the knives end up stacked on top of one another. Wrap a layer of bubble wrap around the bundle of knives, and secure it with some tape.
7. Clean Small Appliances
Make sure all of your small appliances, including your toaster, coffee maker, microwave, and mixer, are completely clean before you pack them. This way, you won’t get crumbs or grease all over your other items as you pack, and you won’t have to clean as you unpack either.
Follow the tips above to pack your kitchen. If you need help moving, contact Fairfax Transfer & Storage. We offer moving services and white-glove delivery service.
