Why the Kitchen Takes the Most Time

The kitchen is full of fragile dishes, heavy appliances, and odd-shaped items that take longer to pack than any other room. It is also the space where people tend to underestimate how much they own until they open every cabinet and drawer. Start early and work through it systematically. If you prefer to hand this off entirely, our professional packing service handles everything for you with the right materials and techniques to protect every item.

What You Need Before You Start

  • Small and medium-sized boxes (large boxes become too heavy with dishes)
  • Dish boxes or cell kits for stemware
  • Packing paper, bubble wrap, and foam pouches
  • Packing tape and a marker for labeling
  • Stretch wrap for securing drawers and cabinet doors on appliances

How to Pack Dishes and Glasses

Wrap each dish individually with packing paper, starting from the corner and rolling diagonally. Stack dishes vertically in the box like records, not flat. This distributes weight more evenly and significantly reduces the risk of breakage during transport. Glasses should go in individual foam pouches or be wrapped separately with two to three sheets of packing paper and placed upside down in the box. Fill any empty space with crumpled paper so nothing shifts in transit.

Packing Appliances

If you kept the original boxes for your appliances, use them. The original packaging was designed specifically to protect that item and will do a better job than a generic box. If you no longer have the original boxes, wrap appliances in moving blankets or thick bubble wrap and pack them snugly with filler material on all sides. Remove any detachable parts such as blender blades, coffee carafe lids, or stand mixer attachments and pack them separately in a labeled bag inside the same box.

Handling Pantry Items

Use up perishables and pantry staples in the weeks before your move. For items you want to keep, use sealable zip-lock bags for loose items like pasta, rice, or spices and pack them upright in clearly labeled boxes. Do not pack any open or unsealed containers, and never move anything that could spill, leak, or expire during transport. Most movers will not accept open food containers, so plan accordingly.

Packing Pots, Pans, and Bakeware

Pots and pans can go in medium boxes without a lot of extra wrapping, but nestle lids separately wrapped in paper to prevent scratching. Stack pans smallest to largest and fill gaps with dish towels or packing paper. Cast iron should be packed in its own small box due to weight.

Labeling Is Everything

Write the room, a short description, and the word FRAGILE on every box that contains breakables. Indicate which side should face up. Color-coded labels by room make unloading much faster and help your movers place every box in the right space without having to ask. A small investment in colored tape or stickers saves a lot of time on the back end.

Let the Pros Handle It

Packing a kitchen takes most families a full day or more. Our team at Saltwater Moving can do it in a fraction of the time with the right materials and experience. We serve North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding areas. Request a quote to learn more about our packing options.