How to Pack Dishes And Transport Them Safely?
Moving to another city or apartment is always a lot of trouble, especially when it comes to transporting fragile items such as dishes. Improper packaging can lead to cracks and breaks, which adds stress to the process of changing homes. To avoid trouble and keep your belongings safe, it is important to know the basic rules of packing and transportation. If you are looking for a reliable Ashland moving company to safely transport your things, including dishes, then this article is for you.
How to Pack Glassware For Transportation?
When transporting dishes to a new home, all cups and plates require close attention – both modern and inherited. It is necessary to think about the container for transporting such items in advance (at least a couple of weeks before the expected date of the trip). Then you will be able to do all the work without unnecessary fuss and urgent trips to hardware stores in search of suitable containers.
To ensure that the dishes survive transportation intact, you should prepare:
- several cardboard, thick and rigid boxes that can be replaced with wooden boxes;
- a decent amount of crumpled paper, foam chips, or sawdust to fill the boxes;
- a roll of bubble wrap, soft fabric, foam rubber, synthetic padding, or other similar synthetic materials;
- a stationery knife and tape;
- several spacious and reliable shopping bags, as well as rope and paper.
Moving firm experts recommend labeling each packed box, not just containers with fragile items. This will greatly reduce the time spent unpacking things after arriving at your new home.
How to Pack Different Types of Dishes Correctly?
The first thing you need to do before you start laying out the dishes is to prepare the boxes. The main task is to minimize any risks associated with accidental impacts and falls. The structures should be strengthened as follows:
- A few sheets of thick and durable cardboard should be placed on the bottom of the box. It can be replaced, for example, with a small plywood board.
- The outer part should be wrapped with stretch film. It is fixed on its own, but you can supplement the fastener with adhesive tape.
- When the dishes and other utensils are in their places, you need to cover the upper gap with tape.
- You should wrap the container that is ready for loading and unloading with air-bubble material, and then glue everything again in a circle.
Experts advise using small boxes, rather than one massive box. Firstly, they are easier to carry, and they do not weigh too much. Secondly, in such boxes there is less friction between objects and they hardly interact with each other (which reduces the risk of cracks and scratches).
Plates
Each plate must be wrapped in specialized packing paper or at least regular newspaper. Then everything is collected in small stacks and placed inside a pre-prepared container.
Each resulting group can be wrapped in bubble wrap to create another layer of protection. Items placed inside the box will not be damaged even by a fairly strong direct mechanical impact.
Dinnerware
Before properly packing dishes for moving, they should be carefully and accurately sorted. Different kitchen utensils may belong to the same sets. Such factors should be taken into account in order to simplify your life later when unpacking boxes.
Sorting is done according to the steps of the elementary instructions: cups and glasses are put aside on one side, plates and saucers – on the other. They cannot be combined due to their fundamentally different structure. Dissimilar elements will definitely get scratched due to increased friction.
It is better to place a damping material inside each cup. The same newspaper is great for this role, but the best option is foam rubber. All items should be wrapped in film.
Metal Utensils
Another class of items that may cause some difficulties are teaspoons and tablespoons, as well as forks and knives.
Things with sharp edges should be wrapped in paper. Subsequently, all items are placed inside one cardboard box, first wrapped with bubble wrap or stretch tape, and then with masking tape.
With frying pans, pots and saucepans, everything is much simpler. Such things are usually made of durable metal and do not require specific protection.
Secrets of Reliable Packaging of Dishes When Moving
Transporting kitchen utensils requires care. To successfully cope with the task, you must follow these tips:
- The most fragile and prickly part is the handles. They need additional insulation with napkins or soft corrugated paper.
- Instead of newspapers, it is better to use professional packaging craft, as paint can leave marks on clean and light surfaces.
- You should follow the sequence of layout. Heavier things go to the bottom of the box, and lighter things end up on top.
- You should try to buy smaller containers. It is better to take several small boxes than one large box.
- Do not forget about labeling. You can put marks using stickers or a marker.
- If you do not have the time or desire to pack and sort plates, you can use the services of specialized companies.
How to Find a Good Carrier When Transporting Dishes
The main quality of a reliable transport company is experience. Companies that have been present on the market for a long time usually have time to acquire an extensive portfolio with orders of various types and complexity. You can get acquainted with it upon request, by contacting the manager or by going to the official website of the company.
In addition, trusted companies provide comprehensive services. They have not only qualified drivers on their staff, but also loaders, and logisticians. Specialists work using all kinds of technological equipment (hydraulic lifts and special carts for transporting containers on stairs).
The infrastructure of a good company includes a whole fleet of certified vehicles that regularly undergo technical inspections. It is important that the carrier can offer several options for cars. Sometimes it is useful to choose between a large truck and a minimalist truck (for example, in order to save money).
Wrapping It Up
Keeping your dishes safe during a move is a matter of proper preparation and reliable packing. Use durable materials, secure fragile items, and be sure to label boxes to avoid unpleasant surprises. If you don’t want to worry about every step of the transportation, entrust the process to experienced professionals, such as Paradise Moving & Storage Inc., which provides services for moving from Ashland to Lynn or between other American cities.