Moving can be a stressful experience. From the overall cleaning and organizing to storing and finding the perfect new residence, it is easy to see the overwhelming nature of changing homes. Unfortunately, you may not be placing enough emphasis on packing your belongings. Considering moving to a new residence requires moving fragile items from your home, you may break one or more necessary belongings. If you are part of the 27.8 million Americans planning to move this year, packing your items safe is key to a successful move. Using this guide on packing hacks, you can pack up your kitchen in a safe, efficient manner.

Dishes

You most likely have a set of dinner dishes, bowls, and matching service platters for dining and entertaining. While these pieces may not be expensive, they are important to have in your new home. Thankfully, protecting these fragile pieces is simple using the following packing hacks:

• Invest in the Dish Boxes – Finding old boxes from your local grocery store is great for moving books and non-fragile items, but they may not be the best option for packing your breakables. Invest in a multiple boxes that are specifically designed for packing dishes. These cardboard boxes are stronger and thicker, which helps absorb shock while traveling. This reduces the risk of damage during your move.
• Use Foam Plates – Visit your local dollar store or discount retailer and purchase a large package of disposable foam plates. When packing flat dinner plates, salad dishes, or larger platters, place them in between two paper plates for extra protection. Using foam plates as padding for your dishes and fragile items in the kitchen costs less than bubble wrap. In addition, these disposable plates are helpful when ordering pizza the night of your move.
• Go Vertical – While surprising to hear, stacking your fragile plates in a box is not the only packing option. Consider wrapping the plates in your foam plates before placing them vertically in your box. Going vertical, instead of stacking the plates directly on top of each other, enables you to safely pack more in one box.

Glassware

Breaking a few glasses during your move may be common, but you can reduce the risk of breakage by following a few simple rules when packing.

Ask your local grocery store if they have any leftover wine boxes. Constructed out of a thicker cardboard, these boxes are sturdier options for transporting your own glassware. These boxes also have divided compartments, which is a great option for organizing your glassware. Place wine, tea, or juice glasses in each compartment of the wine box.

If you are unable to find these boxes, consider using socks to protect your glassware. Wrap each glass in a sock before placing in a traditional moving box with crumbled up newspaper or bubble wrap.

An estimated 54 percent of Americans drink a cup of coffee each day, so you may have a few coffee mugs lurking in your cabinets. Be sure to purge the cabinets and donate coffee cups you do not want to keep. Then, wrap the mugs in newspaper before placing in a separate box, labeled Coffee Mugs. This will ensure you can enjoy a cup of coffee the morning after your move in your favorite mug.

Lastly, consider using pool floaties for taller glasses. Place a glass inside an arm floatie before inflating it. Store in your boxes with other glasses protected with a pool floatie.

Utensils

You may think you need to pack up all your utensils separately, but there is an easier way. If your dining and cooking utensils are already stored in a drawer tray, remove the entire organizer tray and place in box. Stack other organizer trays on top before padding the sides and top with newspaper.

Pots and Pans

Your pots and pans can take up a large space in the moving truck, but you can efficiently pack them without causing damage.

Stack in sets of threes on a flat surface, placing newspaper between each pot or pan. Place the largest stack of nesting pots in the bottom of your box.

If you have multiple lids, use ties to connect lids to their matching pot. This helps reduce movement in your moving box and also prevents loss.

Moving may be necessary for a new job or to purchase a larger home, but it does not have to be a terribly stressful event. Using these packing hacks, your kitchen will reach its new destination without damage. For more tips, or for help with the process, you may want to contact local packing services.