You’ve done the preparation and it’s now time to start packing up your kitchen.  Here’s some practical advice for helping you to tackle this job:

Get your packing materials ready

For an average family sized kitchen, you’ll probably need the following materials:

• 5 large boxes – for lightweight and hard to pack items like plastic kitchenware, dish racks, small appliances, baking tins and kitchen linen
• 15 medium boxes – for heavier items like small appliances, packaged food, pots and pans, drawer contents, cutlery and cleaning materials.  Also for fragiles like crockery, glassware, wine, spirits and vases.  These boxes need to be heavy duty with double walled construction for extra strength.
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Packing tape

Once you have all your packing materials, start by packing items that you don’t use on a regular basis, these could include:

• Vases/canisters
• Wine glasses/tumblers
• Mixing bowls
• Baking equipment
• Some sealed/unopened food items

Focus on the Drawers

Turn your attention to your drawers and shelves.  Start with the messiest, ‘junk’ drawer.  Get rid of old or damaged items that aren’t used.  Pack the cutlery drawer, keeping one set per family member for your essentials box.  Work on cutlery by type and wrap each piece individually with packing paper.  Tape or wrap all spoons, etc. together, so that they can be easily put away when unpacking.

Next it’s the Dishes

Take your time with this step.  It’s worth ensuring that all china is well packed.  Wrap individual plates and bowls with packing paper and stack.  Cups and glasses should also be individually wrapped, placed in boxes lined with gently scrunched paper or bubble wrap for protection.  Seal boxes securely with packing tape and label.

Pots and Pans

Keep one small all-purpose pan for your essentials box.  Pack up all the rest, packing lids separately.  Stack your pots and pans in order of size, with smaller ones fitting into larger ones.  Use packing paper or bubble wrap in between to prevent scratching.  Once up to three or four pots are wrapped and stacked, wrap them all tightly together using packing paper or bubble wrap.  Take a medium sized box and line the inside with loosely scrunched up paper for padding and place your stacked pots within.  Seal boxes securely with packing tape and label.

Finish up the Food Packing

Your food cupboards should now only have the items you wish to take with you.  Start with the smaller items, wrapping and packing your way to the larger ones.  Arrange items in medium sized boxes with smaller items fitted around and in-between larger ones.

Prepare Appliances

This is the last step, which should be done around 24 hours in advance of your move.  Rushed appliance preparation can lead to leaks, broken parts or damaged appliances.  Read the advice in manuals about disconnection and preparing appliances for moving, but if you’re unsure, call in a professional.  Many moving companies will ask for all major appliances to be prepared before they arrive and some will offer a service that prepares appliances for a fee.

A simple step-by-step guide on how to prepare kitchen appliances will be discussed in the next article.  This will help you ensure that your appliances are ready to move when you are!