If you wish to have a successful and stress-free move, you should learn how to pack plates for moving and all the other breakables. Since those items can sustain damage even when they’re not transported anywhere, it’s very important to know how to protect them correctly, so no breaking or chipping can happen. Long-distance movers with years of experience are the best source for this kind of info – let’s see what are the tips you should apply.
There are different ways you can protect the delicates when relocating
Don’t let the simplicity of this task fool you. Learning how to move and how to pack an apartment does sound like a five-minute job, but trust us, it isn’t. It doesn’t require much skill, though, so you’re good even if you’re only starting to live alone and gathering first apartment essentials. What cross country moving does require is time, patience, and focus. With the right timeline and simply explained steps, all of your breakables will arrive in one piece.
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One of the Most Important Tips Is to Make an Inventory
If you’re wondering what is the easiest way to pack when moving and you want to be completely sure that the whole packing process will go smoothly, the first step is to make packing strategies for moving and a packing schedule for moving. The easiest and best way to pack for moving is to know how to do a home inventory. Once you’re completely sure of what you’re relocating, you will have a better idea of how many boxes and packing supplies you’ll need, how much will your move cost, and will you donate old appliances or sell them. Also, you will have the opportunity to set aside all the things that you don’t use frequently and to pack them right away. This moving hack will save you a bunch of time and space afterward.
Start Thinking About Packing on Time
Another important tip is to start doing all of this on time. It can be very time-consuming, especially if you have a lot of things. You’ll avoid stress and the trap of the most commonly forgotten things to pack. On average, two to three weeks are enough for packing all the items on the inventory list. It will also leave you time to organize important papers and all the other tasks on your ultimate checklist for moving to a new state.
Making an inventory list puts you in control of your move and your expenses
What Supplies Will You Need for Packing Plates and Dishes?
Now that we’re done with basics, let’s move on to the real deal. Did you create a list of how many plates, glasses, and other dishes you’re taking with you? All fragile and breakable pieces require similar supplies, so before you throw a packing party, make a list of what you need to buy (in large quantities). Even if you decide to get cheap moving supplies or even free ones, make sure that they’re high quality or that they can be modified. The most important thing you’ll require when packing fragile items are the best-sized boxes for moving. You will need small and medium ones.
If you decide to get free boxes, pay attention to the cardboard. Is it soft? Can you bend it easily? If so, it’s not suitable for packing dishes. Consider getting firmer packages, or just tape more layers of cardboard on the thin walls. That way, you’ll create a thicker and safer carrier for your breakables. Keep in mind that approximately eight plates can fit in a small package and twelve in a medium one, depending on the size of the plate.
What Other Supplies Will You Require Other Than a Firm Box?
The inside of every package that carries fragile things needs to be filled with something soft that will protect the items. That padding material can be packing paper, newspaper, bubble wrap, or any kind of cloth. Also, depending on the value and how delicate the piece is, each one should be wrapped around with some of these materials. You will also need labels for moving boxes and tape. We have to emphasize once again to get more supplies than you estimated, just in case. It’s better to have a few extra boxes than to stress over the lack of supplies.
Get everything you will use before you begin to pack
How to Pack Plates for Moving?
Now that you have everything, we can start explaining how to pack kitchen items for moving and the best way to pack plates. Make yourself some room so that nothing stands in your way. The ideal place in your home for this is the kitchen table – remove everything from it, take the pile of packing paper, a box, and three to four plates. For a successful pack, follow these steps:
- Pad the bottom of the package with crumbled paper
- Put one plate on a pile of paper sheets
- Fold 2-3 pieces over that plate
- Put another dish on it and repeat the action
- Once you stack 3-4 plates, take other corners of the paper, fold them over the top plate, and create a package
- Cover the package with another piece of paper if you wish to have extra protection
- Put the package vertically in the box, like you would put it in a dishwasher
- Fill the extra space in the package with more crumbled papers
- Close down the lids. If you can’t hear any movement inside of the box when you shake it lightly, tape it and label it on each side.
When packing plates for moving, try to put similar materials in the same package. If you have identical pieces, even better. That will prevent thicker ceramic from breaking glass or some thinner and more delicate dish, and it will also be helpful when unpacking after a move.
This Method Can Also Be Applied on Packing Glasses
Packing plates is similar to packing glasses, except for one part – each glass should be wrapped individually. The materials and padding are the same. Also, there is a difference between wrapping champagne and wine glasses and the ones you use for water and juice. Glasses that have a stem should also be protected additionally by wrapping some more papers between the bowl and the foot. You can also use thin bubble wrap to cover the outside of the glass and tape it around for extra protection. Another thing that will be helpful is to take pieces of cardboard and separate the glasses inside of the box like it’s shown in the video below.
What About Pots and Pans?
When it comes to learning how to pack pots and pans for moving, you won’t have the bubble wrap vs. packing paper dilemma. These dishes don’t require special protection, padding, or cushioning. All they need is to be clean and in firm cardboard. You can put smaller pots inside a bigger dish to save space. Also, don’t remove the lids so that no dirt comes inside, and you can unpack it easier. Tape the package well and write what’s inside. Keep pots and pans away from any delicate or breakable pieces.
It's important to have all the labels visible at all times
How Do You Pack Dishes Without Papers?
How do you pack dishes for shipping if you’re out of paper? Easy. If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve used all the packing paper you’ve got for your long-distance moving, you can easily replace it with any kind of soft material you have in your home. Blankets, sweaters, shirts, kitchen or bathroom towels, cloths, or even pillowcases are all useful when wrapping and covering breakables. Still, the cushion on the bottom of the box needs to be equally thick everywhere, and the material covering the plates can’t have any holes on it so that the plates don’t touch. If you have adequate linen for this, it will also save you space in your other boxes and suitcases.
Another One of the Important Tips on How to Pack Plates for Moving Is Not to Overcrowd the Box
A crucial thing about learning how to pack plates is knowing when to stop putting things in the package. Even if everything is perfectly packed, covered, and taped, the package that is too heavy will tear apart, and everything inside of it will fall out and break. That is why large boxes are useless here. Once fully loaded for moving state to state, they can get pretty heavy. Using medium and small ones can also be tricky if you overcrowd them, so keep your packages light when moving cross country.
Keep in mind that cardboard packages aren't that strong
How Do I Pack My China Plates for Moving?
Are you wondering how to pack china for moving? We have the answer for that too. Since these pieces are much more delicate than a plate for lunch and they might even require moving insurance, it is very important to pack them properly. The trick to that is finding the original package in which they came. If you can’t find it, make sure you get a high-quality package that can be a good replacement. The part that is the same with packing china and learning how to pack plates for shipping is sorting the pieces – don’t put bowls with cups. Try to separate them by shape and dimensions.
If you own something that’s oddly shaped, it would be good to pack that piece alone. Once you sort all items, wrap them separately in papers or bubble wrap, but not too tight. Fill all the extra space with more layers of protection, and be sure nothing moves before sealing the package. If your items aren’t going straight to your new place, but to a storage unit, take good care of the packages – load them last and label very visibly before moving across the country.
Be very careful when handling your breakable things
Professional Movers Can Do All of This for You
If you’re not sure that you can do all of this properly by yourself, there’s always an option to hire a reputable long distance moving company that offers all kinds of services you might require. They will bring their own materials, so you won’t have to think about that either. Professional cross country movers always have all the high-quality equipment, and they can offer you full pack services where you won’t have to lift a finger – everything will be done by a team of experts.
You won’t have any problems with anxiety about moving to another state when you know you’re in safe hands. Professional state to state movers can also provide you with auto transport in case you planned it, so all the worries and tasks will be taken off of your shoulders. You can relax and focus on a new apartment shopping list and meeting your neighbors.
