Tips for Packing the Kitchen

Once the paperwork has been signed and sorted, the next steps for moving house is packing up the old and sending it to the new. The kitchen is one of the first places that can be boxed up by packing the less-used appliances, utensils and dishes first and leaving the everyday items until last before moving. To save the stress of last-minute packing, disposable cups, cutlery and plates can be purchased to use during the last few days before the big move.
Here are some tips on how to approach packing kitchen items.

Food and Cleaning Products

Unopened food or items with a long best-before date can be packed into boxes at the start, making sure fragile items such as glass bottles are protected before being boxed up. Any perishable food or opened packets should be used up or thrown away. Cleaning products can be packed from the start except the essentials such as sponges and washing up liquid which can be put into an 'essentials box'. Take care with certain cleaning products as some items cannot be shipped.

Awkwardly-shaped Items and Bowls

In order to keep items protected, wrap them in a single sheet of clean paper before wrapping three together in a bundle with unwanted newspaper. Smaller bowls can be stored to the sides of boxes on their edges whilst larger bowls stored upside on their rims to prevent heavier items cracking the centre. Awkward items such as sauce containers or gravy boats can be wrapped in the same way but with an additional double outer layer for extra protection. These items can be put into a container with a sheet of bubble wrap on top.

Cookbooks

Place flat or spine-down into a box, but not spine-up as this can break away the glue. Books are the easiest to pack when grouped into similar sizes and put into the box in descending order so from the largest up to the smallest. Treasured books should be wrapped in a single sheet of newspaper.

Smaller Appliances

Sometimes it is best to leave the big appliances to the professionals, but the smaller ones such as toasters, radios and microwaves can be packed at home. Protect the boxed items with cushions of paper and bubble wrap, taking care to wrap cords so as to not scratch the appliances. Secure disconnected cords to their designated items.

Glassware and China items

Despite being the most vulnerable to breaking, care can be taken to ensure this does not happen. Each item should be wrapped individually with a sheet of paper and cushioned in the box with bubble wrap or thick paper balls. Be sure to mark the box with the words 'Fragile' so removal companies know to take extra care.

Flat Glassware and Flat China

Like ordinary glassware and china, each item should be wrapped individually with paper. Once wrapped, items can be bundled into groups of three before being laid sideways into the container. Make sure that are sides of the box are protected with bubble wrap or extra paper and once again mark the box as 'Fragile' as a warning.

Pots, Pans and Other Utensils

This are often the most sturdy and can be wrapped individually in paper before placed inside boxes with other similarly-sized items.

Cups

The easiest way of packing cups is to use cellular dividers which allow cups and glasses to be careful slotted into individual spaces. Otherwise, cups should be individually wrapped in paper with an extra piece for their handles before securing the box further with extra layers of paper or bubble wrap.For more ideas: Chiswick Van and Man HireHeather Roberts is a freelance guest blogger from London, UK. She has got many published articles on various topics such as moving, cleaning, organizing, home and garden etc. She loves to spend her time with family and friends and she also tries to live an eco-friendly life.