- Use medium boxes, bubble wrap, and plenty of paper. Wrap each plate, stack in small bundles, stand them upright, fill every gap, then seal and label. Keep boxes light and start early.
What’s one of the most stressful parts of moving?
Beyond moving a piano or pool table removals, it’s definitely packing up the kitchen. That’s something we can all universally agree upon.
Plates are heavy, fragile, and a bit awkwardly shaped, which makes them a real pain to shift. The good news is you don’t need to lose half your dinner set along the way. With the right materials and a bit of know-how, you can keep them safe and keep your stress levels down.
If you’ve ever wondered how to pack plates for moving without ending up with a box of smashed valuables, here’s a simple step-by-step guide from the top removalists in Melbourne. You’ll want to keep this close as you pack up for your next home.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you start, it’s time to gather everything in one place. The last thing you want is to run out of tape while you’re on a roll with packing up those dishes, end up with boxes that aren’t sturdy enough to carry fragile plates, or not be able to give these breakables the right amount of cushioning they really need. One of the most common searches is “how to pack plates for moving bubble wrap,” and there’s a reason for that. Bubble wrap is brilliant. And in addition to that, you’ll want to stock up on these things too:
- Medium moving boxes. Double-walled ones are best if you can get them
- Loads of packing paper or clean newspaper
- Bubble wrap
- Dish pack dividers, if you’re looking for a bit of extra support
- Strong packing tape
- Permanent markers for labelling
- A few towels or cloths for padding
Once you’ve got all these materials on hand, get ready to start packing the less stressful way.
Step 1: Pick the Right Box
Plates are heavier than they look. Stuff too many into a big box and you’ll surely regret it later on. When you’re working out how to pack plates for moving house, a medium-sized box is the safest bet. Specialist dish boxes are even better if you can find them, as they’re double-walled cartons with built-in dividers that spread the weight and stop plates from knocking into each other.
Step 2: Cushion the Bottom
Before you place a single plate in it, make sure to line the bottom of the box. Crumpled paper, a thick towel, or a sheet of bubble wrap all do the job. Think of it as a mattress for your breakables. It’ll soften the blow if the box gets tossed about.
Step 3: Wrap Each Plate
This is where you’ll need a bit of patience. Lay a sheet of paper flat, put the plate in the middle, and fold the corners over until it’s snug. Tape it if needed. If you’ve got delicate or sentimental pieces, add a layer of bubble wrap too. Knowing how to properly pack plates for moving is all about not cutting corners. Trust us. Ten seconds of wrapping here saves you from pulling out broken shards later.
Step 4: Bundle in Small Stacks
Once each plate’s wrapped, you can group them. Stack three or four, then wrap the whole bundle in another sheet of paper. It keeps them stable without adding too much weight. You’ll find there are plenty of opinions on how best to pack plates for moving, but small stacks tend to be the safest option.
Step 5: Stand Them Up
Here’s the part most people don’t know about when figuring out how to pack plates and bowls for moving. They should never be laid flat. Instead, make them stand them on their edge, like records in a crate. That way, the pressure spreads evenly and they’re less likely to crack. As you go about your packing tasks, keep everything vertical, cushioned, and close together.
Step 6: Fill Every Gap
Repeat after us: empty space is your enemy. Once the plates are in, stuff every gap with paper, towels, or bubble wrap. If the plates can shift, they can smash. Heavier ones should sit at the bottom, lighter ones on top, so nothing gets crushed.
Step 7: Seal and Label
Seal the box tightly with strong tape on every edge, and make sure the bottom’s secure, as kitchen boxes get heavy fast. Then, you’ll want to:
- Label it clearly
- Write FRAGILE in big letters or use red fragile tape for better visibility
- Add a label like “Plates and Kitchen”
- Mark which side’s up if you want to be extra careful. It’ll help you and your movers handle the box properly.
Handy Extras
- Don’t overfill the boxes. It’s better to carry three manageable ones than an outrageously heavy one that could split open at any moment.
- If you’re moving by yourself, keep plate boxes separate so you can load them with care. If you’re using removalists, separate them from the rest of the boxes and point them out as fragile right away
- If you own valuable or heirloom plates, think about insurance. It’s worth the peace of mind.
- Start early. The kitchen always takes longer than you think. You don’t want to be speed wrapping these breakables once you realize you’re running out of time.
Make Moving and Packing Easier with Quick Pick Movers
We all know that packing and moving boxes full of plates isn’t much fun. Why not leave it up to professional movers who do it every day? They know exactly how to keep things safe.
If you’re in Melbourne, Quick Pick Movers can take the load off your shoulders and off your schedule. Whether it’s residential or office removals, we’re pros when it comes to flawless packing and heavy lifting.
For a smoother move and less stress, Quick Pick Movers is the local team you can trust. Get an instant quote today.
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