Your fuss-free guide to packing dishes for moving

Moving can be stressful, but packing your dishes doesn’t have to be. Read these tips for packing your dishes safely for moving!

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Although moving to a new house or flat is thrilling, it can get tedious. Besides transferring furniture and appliances, multiple fragile items, such as glassware and dishes, are around the home. People usually use old newspapers when packing dishes for moving, but other options exist!

You might be surprised to know you have items sitting at home that you can use to wrap your things. There are also simple boxing techniques you can try for a safer move. Read on to learn how to pack dishes for moving. 


What you’ll need:

We’re keeping it easy and breezy for you to follow. So, here’s a short list of what you need for your fuss-free moving day.

  • Wrapping materials (choose any from the following)

    • Newspapers or magazines

    • Towels or T-shirts

    • Sheets or pillowcases

    • Kraft paper or old paper bags

    • Bubble wrap

    • Packing paper

    • Styrofoam

  • Small or medium-sized boxes

  • Packaging tape

  • Markers

Your ultimate guide to packing dishes

Step 1: Choose your wrapping material

packaging material for dishes and mugs

There are many choices for wrapping dishes. Besides newspapers, you can use towels, T-shirts, sheets, and pillowcases. The great thing about them is that you already have them at home. Ensure your chosen packaging materials are big enough to wrap around your dishes.

Bubble wrap, packing paper, and styrofoam are also great alternatives if you want to buy packaging materials for your dishes. Besides these wrappers, you’ll also need medium-sized boxes. Don’t forget packing tape and markers to seal and label.

Step 2: Fold your boxes the right way

woman carrying box to pack dishes

If you have an open or unfolded box, flip it over and expose the bottom. Fold the two smaller flaps inside the box, followed by the larger ones. This order will give your package better form and support, ideal for long-distance travel and your breakable belongings.

Step 3: Stabilise your boxes

person sealing their moving boxes

Dishes can be heavy. That’s why it’s important to use the right boxes for your move and prepare them well. After setting them up, adding tape will hold them better together. Tape along the horizontal and vertical lines where the box’s edges meet.

When you’re done taping the bottom of the box, it should look like a letter H. You can add at least two layers of tape for a stronger hold.

Step 4: Wrap up your dishes

person placing plates inside a box

Whichever wrapping material you’re using, packing plates for moving always starts with the same step. You’ll need to wrap them individually. Begin by putting a plate in the centre of a sheet or material. Then fold each corner into the middle of the plate.

Secure the dishes with tape if you’re working with newspapers, packing paper, or bubble wrap. You can follow the same steps above if you’re looking into the best way to pack crockery for moving. The same goes for casserole dishes, glasses, pots, pans, and more.

Step 5: Load the dishes into the box

boxes with a fragile label

Line up the bottom of the box with towels or newspapers before loading it with dishes. But don’t lay them flat, as this would make them prone to breaking. Instead, place them vertically or on their sides as if you’re putting them on a dish rack. After the dishes are set in the box, cover them with a towel for protection.

Close the box and tape it securely. There shouldn’t be space in the box for the dishes to shake. Add a “Fragile” and “This side up” label to ensure small or mini movers handle the box with extra care. You can also write “plates” or “bowls” on the box to help organise and sort it out.

Start packing and move to your new home

Getting stuff out of your apartment can seem like a heavy task. But the challenge of packing up your household things, especially fragile items, doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s quite a simple and easy task you can do yourself if you have the right tools.

But if you still need help moving everything, you can hire a professional removalist from Airtasker. Post a task and let a Tasker relieve you from the stress of moving your breakables.

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FAQs on packing dishes for moving

The best way to pack china for moving is to go vertical. Loading them on top of each other can cause damage, especially if the box encounters pressure or force on its way to your new home. Always to place dishes on their side.

Wrap glasses and mugs with your chosen material as you would pack plates and bowls. Don’t forget to add extra wrapping material around handles and stems to prevent damage.

Pro tip: Use bubble wrap because this has more cushion. Glasses and mugs can be more delicate than plates.

Since you can’t place glasses and mugs like how you would with plates, it’s important to fill empty spaces within the box. This will prevent your glasses from moving around (possibly breaking) inside the box.

Using a moving box is still your best bet. But you can use plastic storage containers and trays if you have none available. You can also try suitcases, briefcases, tote bags, backpacks, pots and pans, dresser drawers, laundry baskets, and trash bags. A rubbish bin lined with a clean plastic bag can be another alternative.

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