How to Pack Dishes for Moving: 7 Proven Tips to Keep Them Safe and Intact

Packing up your kitchen can be one of the trickiest parts of moving. Dishes are fragile, and no one wants to open a box of broken plates in their new home. If you’re wondering how to pack dishes for moving without a mess, you’re in the right place.

At U & Me Moving and Storage, we’ve been helping families move safely for over 100 years. Whether you’re moving across town or out of state, these 7 tips will show you how to protect your dishes and make the process way less stressful.

1. Use the Right Boxes

When figuring out how to pack dishes for moving, the first step is choosing the right kind of box. Not all moving boxes are built the same, especially when you’re packing fragile items like dishes, bowls, mugs, or glasses. Using the wrong box can put your kitchenware at serious risk of cracking or breaking during the move.

So, what kind of box should you use?

Look for dish pack boxes, also known as dish barrel boxes. These are specially made for fragile kitchen items. They’re taller and made with double-thick walls to handle the extra weight and provide better protection. These boxes are more durable than regular cardboard moving boxes, which can bend or collapse under the weight of heavy dishes.

Can I use regular boxes to pack my dishes? You can, but it’s not recommended. Standard boxes may work in a pinch, but they offer much less protection. If you want to avoid broken dishes, it’s worth getting boxes designed for the job. When packing any fragile items safely, using the right materials makes all the difference.

What Packing Supplies Do I Need?

In addition to strong boxes, you’ll also need a few key supplies to keep your dishes safe:

• Packing paper: Use clean, unprinted packing paper to wrap each item. Avoid newspapers, as the ink can rub off and stain your dishes.
• Bubble wrap: Use this for extra fragile items like wine glasses or fine china. It adds an extra layer of cushioning.
• Packing tape: Get heavy-duty tape to seal your boxes tightly and reinforce the bottom of each box so it doesn’t fall out.
• Cardboard dividers (optional): These can help separate glasses and cups so they don’t bump into each other.
• Permanent marker: Label each box clearly. Write “FRAGILE,” the contents (like “Plates” or “Glasses”), and which room it goes in. You can also write “This Side Up” to help movers handle the box with care.

Why the Right Materials Matter

Using quality materials sets you up for a successful move. When you take the time to gather the right supplies, you’re not just protecting your dishes, you’re saving yourself from the headache of cleaning up broken glass or replacing items that didn’t survive the trip.

Plus, starting with the right setup makes every step that follows (like wrapping and layering) easier and more effective.

Quick Tip: If you’re hiring professional movers like U & Me Moving and Storage, ask if they provide dish packs or packing supplies. Many moving companies offer kits that include everything you need to safely pack dishes, and they may even offer full-service packing if you’d rather not do it yourself. If you’re moving furniture alongside your dishes, learn about protecting furniture during your move as well.

In short, if you want to pack your kitchen with confidence, the box you choose makes a big difference. By starting with sturdy dish pack boxes and the right supplies, you’re already on the path to a smooth, stress-free move.

Ready for the next step? Let’s talk about how to protect your dishes from the inside out, starting with padding and wrapping each item correctly.

2. Add Padding at the Bottom

When you’re figuring out how to pack dishes for moving, one of the most important steps happens before a single plate goes into the box: adding padding to the bottom.

It might seem like a small detail, but skipping this step is one of the top reasons people end up with cracked or broken dishes after a move.

Why Is Bottom Padding So Important?

Think of the bottom of your box like the foundation of a house. If it’s weak or unprotected, everything on top is at risk. During a move, boxes get picked up, stacked, and set down over and over again. That movement creates impact and pressure, especially on the bottom of the box. Without a cushion, your dishes take the hit.

Can’t I just stack the dishes without any padding underneath? Technically, you can, but it’s not a good idea. Fragile items like dishes need a shock-absorbing layer to protect them from the bumps and jolts of a move. Without that layer, the first item placed in the box is far more likely to crack.

How to Do It the Right Way

Here’s how to add bottom padding that works:

• Crumple up packing paper (not flat sheets, crumpled works better for cushioning) and fill the entire bottom of the box with at least two inches of padding.
• You can also use bubble wrap or a combination of bubble wrap and paper for extra protection.
• Make sure the padding completely covers the base and the corners of the box, those are the areas most likely to take a hit.
• Don’t pack dishes until the padding feels thick and soft when you press down on it. If it feels flat or thin, add more.

Pro Tip: If you’re reusing a box or using one that isn’t a dish pack box, consider adding double the padding just to be safe.

Other Materials You Can Use (In a Pinch)

While packing paper and bubble wrap are ideal, you can also use soft household items for extra cushion if needed. These might include:

• Towels
• Dishcloths
• T-shirts
• Soft blankets or sheets

Just make sure they’re clean and don’t take up so much space that the box becomes too tight or too heavy.

What Happens If You Skip This Step?

Skipping the bottom padding might save you a few minutes, but it could cost you more in the long run. Without that cushion:

• Plates and bowls may press directly against the bottom of the box, leaving them vulnerable to impact.
• Even if you wrap your dishes well, they can still crack if there’s no padding underneath.
• You’ll have a higher chance of opening a box at your new home and finding broken pieces.

And let’s face it, replacing dishes isn’t cheap, especially if they’re part of a matching set or have sentimental value.

So, if you’re wondering how to pack dishes for moving the right way, remember this: always start with a solid base. Adding that two-inch layer of padding is quick, easy, and one of the best things you can do to keep your kitchenware safe.

Next up, we’ll talk about how to wrap each dish the right way so it stays protected the whole way to your new place.

3. Wrap Each Dish by Itself

When learning how to pack dishes for moving, this is one step you don’t want to rush: wrap each dish individually. Yes, it takes a little more time, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to protect your kitchenware.

Whether you’re packing plates, bowls, mugs, or glasses, each piece needs its layer of protection. When dishes are wrapped together or stacked without anything in between, they can easily rub against each other and crack or chip during the move.

Why Wrapping Each Dish Separately Matters

Think of dishes like puzzle pieces. They may fit together nicely, but that doesn’t mean they should be touching during a move. Even a small amount of pressure or movement can cause damage when fragile items are packed too close.

Can I just wrap a few dishes together to save time? It might seem like a time-saver, but wrapping dishes in groups is one of the top reasons they get damaged during a move. One sharp turn, a small drop, or a bump in the road, and they could be toast.

How to Wrap a Dish the Right Way

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for wrapping each dish securely:

1. Start with a clean sheet of packing paper. Lay it flat on a table or counter.
2. Place the dish in the center of the sheet.
3. Fold one corner of the paper over the dish, then roll it gently, covering the entire item.
4. Tuck in the sides of the paper as you go, like you’re wrapping a burrito.
5. Secure it with tape if needed to keep it from coming undone.
6. For delicate or breakable items (like glass or fine china), you can wrap them first in paper, then add a second layer of bubble wrap for extra protection.

Don’t Forget Bowls and Cups

Bowls and cups can be a little trickier because of their shape, but the same rules apply. Wrap each one separately and stuff the inside with crumpled packing paper to help keep its shape and provide internal support.

If you’re using cardboard dividers in your box, bowls and mugs can be placed in separate sections after being wrapped. But even with dividers, don’t skip the wrapping step!

Bonus Tip: Label Your Fragile Items

Once you’ve wrapped a dish or glass, it’s not always easy to tell what it is. Use a marker to write directly on the packing paper (e.g., “small bowl” or “coffee mug”) before placing it in the box. This helps when you’re unpacking and want to find specific items quickly.

Pro Tip: Use color-coded labels for different types of dishes, like red for glasses and blue for plates, to keep things even more organized. This labeling strategy works well as part of your overall packing approach for a move.

What Happens If You Skip This Step?

We get it, wrapping each dish sounds like a lot of work. But skipping it could leave you with:

• Scratched or chipped dishes
• Cracked bowls
• Broken mugs or glassware
• A mess to clean up (and replace) at your new home

And depending on how far you’re moving, even a short trip can cause serious damage if dishes aren’t packed correctly.

If you want to know how to pack dishes for moving without worrying about what you’ll find when you unpack, the answer is simple: wrap everything individually. It only takes a few extra minutes per item, and it’s totally worth it for the peace of mind.

Next, we’ll look at how to position your wrapped dishes inside the box, because yes, even how you place them matters.

4. How to Pack Plates for Moving: Stand Them Up

Here’s a tip that might surprise you: Plates are safer when packed on their edge, like records in a box. Laying them flat puts too much pressure on the ones at the bottom.

To pack plates for moving the right way:

• Wrap each plate
• Place them upright, standing on edge
• Fill in any gaps with crumpled paper or towels so nothing moves around
• Write “FRAGILE – Plates – This Side Up” on the box so movers know to be careful.

5. Pack in Layers

After the first layer of dishes, add more packing paper before starting the next one. Think of it like building a lasagna, soft layers between each row keep everything safe.

Don’t leave any space in the box. Fill gaps with more paper or cloth to keep things from shifting. A snug fit means less movement and less risk of damage.

6. Seal It Up and Label Everything

Once your box is full, top it off with more padding before sealing it up with strong packing tape. Then label the box clearly:

• “FRAGILE”
• “Kitchen – Dishes”
• “This Side Up”

Also, don’t overpack! A heavy box is harder to carry and more likely to break open. Stick to a weight that’s easy to lift.

7. Pack a Dish Kit for the First Few Days

Once you get to your new place, you probably won’t want to unpack the whole kitchen right away. Pack a small box with a few plates, bowls, mugs, and utensils you’ll need right away. That way, you can eat without having to dig through every kitchen box.

Why Packing Dishes the Right Way Matters

If you’ve ever moved before, you probably know the feeling, you open up a box in your new home, only to find broken dishes, chipped mugs, or shattered glassware. It’s frustrating. After spending all that time packing and moving, no one wants to deal with the disappointment (and the mess) of damaged belongings.

That’s why it’s so important to pack your dishes the right way from the start. It may take a little more effort now, but it can save you a lot of stress and money later. Replacing dish sets, especially nice ones or those with sentimental value, can add up quickly, not to mention the emotional toll of losing something special.

Is it really worth the time to pack dishes so carefully? Yes. Absolutely. Your dishes are some of the most breakable items in your kitchen. A few extra minutes spent wrapping and padding can make all the difference. It’s one of those times where being careful now pays off in a big way later.

The Cost of Not Packing Properly

Here’s what can happen when dishes aren’t packed with care:

• Plates get cracked from being stacked without padding
• Bowls break when the box hits a bump in the road
• Glasses shatter from shifting during transport
• Boxes give out from being overloaded or poorly sealed

Even if your move is short, the boxes still get lifted, carried, and shifted around. It doesn’t take much for something fragile to break, especially if the box wasn’t packed well.

Peace of Mind Comes From Preparation

At U & Me Moving and Storage, we’ve seen it all. We’ve helped families, retirees, students, and business owners pack up everything they own. And the one thing we’ve learned over the past 100 years is this: the best way to protect your belongings is to plan and pack with care.

We’re a family-owned company, and we treat every move like it’s our own. When you trust us with your move, we make it our job to protect your things, not just because it’s good business, but because it’s the right thing to do.

We believe moving shouldn’t be chaotic or full of guesswork. With the right packing tips and a little guidance, you can move with confidence knowing your dishes, and everything else, will arrive in one piece. Learning how to make moving less stressful starts with proper preparation and the right techniques.

So, why does packing your dishes the right way matter? Because your home is made up of the little things you love. Taking the time to pack properly helps protect them, reduces stress, and makes your move a smoother experience from start to finish.

And if you ever need a hand, U & Me Moving and Storage is here to help, with packing, moving, and expert tips every step of the way.

Bonus Tip: Let the Pros Handle It

Not sure you want to deal with packing all your dishes? We get it. Our professional packing team can take care of it for you. We bring the supplies, the skills, and the know-how to make sure everything arrives in perfect shape.

How to Pack Dishes for Moving Without the Stress

Now that you know how to pack dishes for moving, you’re ready to take on your kitchen with confidence. Whether you’re doing it yourself or want a little extra help, following these simple steps can make a big difference.

Want to make your move even easier? U & Me Moving and Storage offers full-service packing, storage, and moving services backed by over 100 years of experience. We’re here to help every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more or schedule your move.