Video:Tips for Packing a Kitchen

Transcript:Tips for Packing a Kitchen

Hi! I'm Debbie Anderson for About.com. Moving the kitchen can be a real hassle if you do not know where to begin – so today I am going to show how to prepare and pack-up all the various items in your kitchen.

Kitchen Moving Supplies

To get started, you will need approximately:

• 5 large boxes for lightweight and hard to pack items such as plastic kitchenware, dish racks, small appliances, and baking tins
• 10 medium size boxes for heavier items such as small appliances, pantry items, pots and pans, silverware, drawer contents, and cookbooks
• 5 heavy duty boxes with thick, double-walls for packing fragile items
• Unprinted news wrap
• Bubble wrap
• 5 rolls of packing/sealing tape
• Marker
• Labels
• 5-10 cell kits for packing glasses, stemware, wine and liquor bottles

When rounding up your packing supplies, one cost effective way to get free boxes with the cells in them is by asking your local bar or liquor store for empty boxes because most liquor boxes already have these cell dividers inside the box.

Decide What Will Stay or Go

Sort, select, and simplify the packing process by going through each cupboard, drawer, and shelf to divide the kitchen into items you are taking with you and items you are leaving behind, donating, or selling before the move.

Don't Pack Essential Items

Once you have decided which items need to be packed and which items you want to leave behind, prepare an essentials box by putting aside the things you will need for your last two days in your current home and for the first two days that you are in your new home. Items to include are dishes, flatware, cutlery, an all-purpose cooking pot, food items, appliances such as the coffee maker and toaster, dishtowels, a dishrag or sponge, dish soap and other various cleaners.

Next, go through your cupboards and drawers and pack the items you do not frequently use or do not need on a daily basis.

Packing Cookbooks

When packing cookbooks, always pack your books flat to prevent bending the spines and place the books in the box according to preference; remembering to keep the books you use the most on top.

Packing Glass Bottles

Next use your cell divided boxes to pack up any wine, liquor or other unopened food items that are in glass bottles.

Packing Kitchen Shelves

Next, it is time to tackle the kitchen drawers and shelves. Start with the messiest drawers first and work your way through the kitchen, packing the cutlery, flatware, etc while remembering to remove any unwanted items as you pack away the drawers.

Packing Dishware

Next, pack dishes, plates, bowls, glasses, stemware, and other miscellaneous dish items, making sure to use cell dividers in the boxes that are used for packing glasses and stemware. With respect to plates and other dishes, be sure you take your time packing these items with plenty of packing materials to ensure each item is packed well so nothing breaks during transit.

Use medium size boxes to pack any pots and pans and remember to include any lids and crockery in each box.

Packing Food Items

Next, it is time to pack the food items. Start by packing the spices you want to keep and then pack the larger food items. As you make your way through the pantry, double check that any opened food packages are taped closed before including them in each box.

For other food items, make sure you either eat or discard of all perishable food items prior to moving, including freezer items, unless you are moving to a location close-by where the food won't become spoiled during the move.

Packing Large Appliances

Finally, always double check your owner's manual or consult a professional on how to best prepare larger appliances, such as the refrigerator and stove, for the move.

And there you have it! The kitchen is all packed up and ready to move. Thank you for watching! To learn more, please visit us on the Web at homegarden.about.com.