The kitchen is consistently the most challenging room to pack. Between fragile dishes, sharp knives, bulky appliances, and years of accumulated items, it can consume an entire day without a strategy. With the right supplies and technique, you can pack your kitchen efficiently and arrive at your new Twin Cities home with everything intact.

Gather the Right Supplies First

  • Small and medium boxes (heavy items like dishes always go in small boxes only)
  • Packing paper — not newspaper (ink transfers to dishes and won’t wash off)
  • Bubble wrap for extra-fragile or valuable items
  • Foam pouches specifically designed for wine glasses and stemware
  • Dish pack specialty boxes — double-walled, significantly stronger than standard boxes
  • Packing tape: reinforce box bottoms with multiple tape strips before loading anything

Pack Plates Vertically — The Most Important Rule

The golden rule: pack plates VERTICALLY like records in a crate, NEVER flat like pancakes. Plates are architecturally designed to bear weight on their rims — vertical packing dramatically reduces breakage.

Wrap each plate individually in packing paper. Stand vertically with crumpled paper between each one. Fill all air gaps completely. Label ‘FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP’ on multiple box sides.

Glasses and Stemware

Stuff each glass interior with packing paper before wrapping the outside. Give extra attention to the base of any wine glass stems.

Use cell-divider boxes when possible. Pack glasses upright — never on their sides. Never stack without dividers between layers.

Pots, Pans, and Bakeware

Nest pots and pans with packing paper between each to prevent scratching. Cast iron can go in smaller heavy boxes.

Stack flat baking sheets and roasting pans with paper between each. Lids in a separate box labeled ‘Pot Lids.’

Small Appliances

Use original boxes when you have them. Otherwise: wrap in bubble wrap, coil and tape cords to the appliance, remove and separately wrap blades labeled ‘SHARP.’

Pack snugly in medium boxes with crumpled paper filling all gaps.

Knives and Sharp Items

Never toss loose knives in a box. Wrap each individually in multiple layers of paper, secure the tip, and label the box ‘SHARP.’

Knife blocks: transport intact — wrap the whole block in paper with knives in their slots.

The Pantry

Start eating down pantry items 2-3 weeks before your move to reduce volume.

Canned goods in SMALL boxes only — they’re extremely heavy and break large box bottoms.

Tape all spice jar lids and pack in zip-lock bags. Discard expired, leaking, or open items.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

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