Whether your dishes were a gift at your wedding or a family heirloom, you may be hesitant to pack them away when you’re moving. Though it might be intimidating to put delicate china in a cardboard box, the below tips will ensure that your dishes will be ready and protected when the movers arrive. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to follow. 

Do:

Cushion plates for the journey.

During transit, your belongings may be subject to jostling. This can put more fragile items at risk of chips and fractures. To cushion the space between dishes, wrap each plate, cup, or serving platter with packing paper, fabric, or bubble wrap. 

Stack dishes vertically. 

You might be accustomed to stacking plates horizontally in your cabinet. However, this subjects the lower plates in the pile to more pressure. Instead, consider stacking dishes vertically inside of cushioned moving boxes to keep them safe. 

Don’t: 

Skip the label. 

As you pack dishes for your movers, be sure to use large labels to indicate that the boxes contain glass or fragile contents. Label each box so movers will be able to tell which items are delicate quickly. If you can, label boxes on multiple sides, so they’re easy to see. 

Use flimsy boxes. 

Dishes can get heavy fast, so avoid using flimsy boxes that could burst open during transit. Instead, ask movers if they offer special packing supplies designed for dishes. These typically contain a higher burst rating than lower-end cardboard boxes. 

Keep in mind that you can always work with professional movers to lighten your load. The team at E-Z Moving & Storage has been helping clients throughout the greater Carlsbad, NM, area with cross-country and long-distance moves since 1992. Learn more about their moving services by visiting their website, or give them a call at (575) 887-3334 to book a consultation.