Hello there again cyber land! It is I, the resident Customer Service Ninja at Great Day Moving to talk about packing up those kitchen dishes. Nobody likes to pick up a box after moving day marked “Kitchen Dishes – Fragile” and hear the clanging sound of broken glass. So I am writing you today with a few do-it-yourself tips on packing your own dishes.

Did you know that when packing your kitchen plates, bowls, and serving trays it is best to place them on their edges? Many people place glassware flat in the box, but as dishes are stacked on top of each other, the bottom ones are put under a great deal of pressure that can cause them to break easily. This is the same reason why old vinyl records are always kept on their edges instead of stacking them flat on the shelf.  To protect the edges of glass, porcelain, or ceramic cups, plates, and bowls from chipping, wrap or roll each piece in several layers of paper. Always place several layers of wrapping between pieces.

Packing Your Kitchen Dishes:

• Prepare a dish pack box by taping along the bottom flaps as well as crosswise.  These boxes are a full ¼ inch thick!  They are more expensive than normal boxes, but the extra expense is well worth it. Prep the box by putting a layer of wadded newsprint, packing paper, or peanuts in the bottom of the box for cushion.
• Wrap each piece of glassware (cups, plates, bowls) in a piece of bubble wrap or newsprint and tape it. You may use blank newsprint paper instead of bubble wrap.
• If you will pack them with other kitchen items, you should place them on top.
• Place wrapped cups or glasses in upright position as if you were placing them on the table.
• Place a layer of cardboard and another layer of packing material on top and the sides. Fill sides with peanuts or newsprint. You may also use cardboard dividers between cups and glasses.
• Make sure that you do not leave any “dead” space at the top of the box or on either side.  A rule that I like to share with customers is that “if you can shake it then you can break it”
• Keep layering until you’ve reached the top. Tape shut the box and mark “Fragile – Kitchen Glassware”.
• Separately stack heavy boxes from light/medium-weight boxes, this will insure less handling time and keep lightweight and fragile boxes off the bottom when loaded onto the truck.

There you have it – some tips for packing your kitchen dishes. And don’t forget to mark those boxes “Fragile”! If you’re packing other items, check out these helpful tips and other resources to prepare for moving day! Sayonara for now and have a Great Day moving!!!