Time to pack the kitchen? When you’re moving house, the kitchen can be one of the most difficult and time consuming rooms to organize and pack, because it contains a multitude of small, medium and large items – not to mention lots of breakables.
Your local moving company will be able to help you pack up your kitchen expertly, after all they’ve done it hundreds of times before. However, you’ll still need to make sure you’re organized before the movers arrive at your door. Whether you plan on doing your own packing, or using a packing service, these moving tips will make packing up your kitchen a breeze.
- Have a selection of boxes handy
Because a kitchen contains everything from teaspoons to plates and medium sized appliances, you’ll need a selection of appropriate boxes. Large boxes are good for packing lightweight items such as plastic containers. Smaller boxes are best for your cutlery and other things in the kitchen drawers. Don’t forget to get some strong reinforced boxes for breakables such as glassware and crockery, and heavy items such as cook books. It’s also a good idea to get some cell kits to make packing glassware easier and reduce the chance of breakage – ask your local moving company about these.
- Protective packaging is a must
Have a good supply of bubble wrap and plain unprinted newspaper handy, to wrap up glassware and crockery and protect them from being chipped and broken. You can also use your kitchen towels and soft cloths to wrap up breakables.
- Pack an essentials box
Pack a box that includes the essential kitchen items you will need to use during the weeks before the move, and that you will need during the first few days in your new house. You should include a couple of general purpose pots, a casserole dish, one set of cutlery, and one plate, bowl, glass and mug for each member of your family. If you’re a coffee fiend, leave the coffee maker out until the last minute and then pack it in your essentials box on moving day.
- Pack specialty items first
Any items that are not essential should be packed away first – things like baking equipment, blenders and mixers, ‘special occasion’ crockery and cutlery, cookbooks etc. If you’re unlikely to use it until after the move, then pack it up.
- Start with the biggest mess
The chaos of messy kitchen drawers can be a nightmare and is what makes packing a kitchen overwhelming. So, the best way to tackle this is to begin with the messiest drawer to get the worst over and done with, making the rest of the kitchen seem easy by comparison.
- Pack section by section
Don’t try to pack the entire kitchen in one night, and don’t randomly select items to go in the box. If you pack in an orderly fashion and label the boxes as you go, your move will be easier to handle and the kitchen will be easier to unpack at the other end.
- Sort out and toss out
It’s amazing how much clutter a kitchen can collect. Use your move as an opportunity to have a major clear out. Anything that is broken – in the trash. Make sure that you have proper lids for plastic storage containers. Think hard about which gadgets are truly useful and which are gathering dust in the drawer… anything that still works but you do not use can always be gifted to a friend who will use it.
- Packing the fridge and pantry
If you are moving locally, simply clear out the fridge and freezer on moving day and transfer the items back into the fridge as soon as it is plugged in at your new house. If you’re moving long distance, you’ll need to dispose of all perishable food well before the move. All dry goods should be packed a couple of days before the move. Anything that has already been opened should be sealed well before you put it in the box. Canned goods can probably be left for the moving company to pack, but if you want to do it yourself make sure you choose small, reinforced boxes as cans are heavy.
Looking for the best local moving company? For expert service and a free quote, contact Isaac’s Moving & Storage today.
