Packing a kitchen for a move usually takes longer than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pack your kitchen safely and efficiently, from sorting through pantry items and wrapping breakables, to choosing the right materials and organising boxes so unpacking is easier at your new place.

Step 1. Clear out the pantry and fridge

Start by sorting through what often takes up the bulk of your kitchen cupboards… the pantry.

Get rid of anything that’s expired or half-used that you, honestly, will never use again. In the lead up to your move, eat through whatever perishables you can in the fridge and pantry. Anything still sealed that you don’t feel like taking can go to a neighbour or the local food bank.

Step 2. Get the right packing materials

If you want your move to go as smooth as possible, you can’t cut corners when it comes to packing materials. For a kitchen, you need:

– Small and medium boxes only to ensure you can carry them safely
– Packing paper, not newspaper (newspaper leaves ink on white dishes)
– Bubble wrap for anything fragile
– Foam pouches or plate dividers if you’ve got a lot of crockery
– Decent packing tape

Don’t risk using flimsy secondhand boxes for breakables. A box that splits open mid-move isn’t worth the few dollars you saved.

Step 3. Pack plates vertically

You might think stacking plates flat is the safest way to go, but it’s actually not. The pressure and vibrations during the move can crack the bottom plates.

After wrapping each plate individually, stack them in the box standing up, like records. Put a sheet of packing paper between each plate.

For glasses, mugs and bowls, stuff crumpled paper inside first, then wrap the outside. If something’s valuable or irreplaceable, double box it: wrap it, put it in a box, then put that box inside a larger one with padding around it.

Label each box fragile and which side goes up. For extra peace of mind, let your Brisbane removalist know which boxes need extra care before they start loading.

Step 4. Use tea towels and dishcloths as padding

You can use any tea towels, cloth napkins, and oven mitts you own as packing material. Wrap breakables in them before you box them. It saves bubble wrap and means you’re packing those items at the same time.

Step 5. Stack your pots and pans

Pots and pans don’t need much protection, but they’re annoying to pack. Put smaller pans inside larger ones with paper between them so they don’t scratch.

Lids are the tricky part because hey don’t sit nice and neat. They can even crack if they’re rattling around loose. Just like you did with the plates, wrap each lid separately and pack them standing up in a box with paper wedged between them.

If you’ve got cast iron or other heavy cookware, be careful about how much weight you’re putting in one box. If you’ve got several heavy items plus appliances, you might want to let a professional removalist handle the lifting instead of doing it yourself.

Step 6. Pack small appliances toward the end

Before you box appliances, wrap the cord around the base and tape it down, or put it in a labelled ziplock bag inside the same box. Unpacking a box full of mystery cords is miserable.

If you still have the original packaging for an appliance, use it. Those boxes were made for this. If not, wrap the appliance in paper or bubble wrap and fill any empty space with crumpled paper so nothing moves during the drive.

Step 7. Pack your everyday essentials last

The coffee machine, kettle, and plates you’re using right up until moving day should be packed in the final 24 hours.

Label that box “OPEN FIRST” and make sure it goes into the truck last so it comes off first at the other end. A lot of people need a cup of coffee before they can unpack anything else.

One last thing

Don’t overpack boxes. Kitchen stuff gets heavy fast. If you can’t comfortably pick a box up off the floor, it’s too heavy. Split it into two. Preventing injuries is more important than saving a box.

Packing a kitchen for a move: key takeaways

Packing a kitchen for a move might take longer than you expect, but following these steps helps you do it efficiently, without getting any broken dishes and missing items. Start by clearing out what you don’t need, use proper packing materials, pack plates and bowls vertically instead of flat, and keep your everyday essentials for last.

The most important rule is to avoid overpacking boxes. Kitchen items are heavy, and a box that’s too heavy to lift safely is more likely to get dropped or cause an injury. Split heavy loads into smaller boxes and you’ll have a smoother move. Good luck!