Packing up your kitchen for storage or for a move can sometimes be a daunting task. Pots, pans, glasses, dishes, and appliances all have to be securely packed and cared for to prevent damage. As intimidating as packing your kitchenware may seem, following these tips can make it much easier to deal with:

• Larger boxes are suitable for packing your kitchenware for moving or storage. Just be sure not to pack any boxes that will be too heavy to move. The larger boxes provide ample room for panhandles and such.
• Pack dishes flat in the box, with packing paper, foam, or similar packing material between each item. The packing material will help prevent the boxes contents from shifting and breaking.
• Wrap glasses and jars with padding and also fill the inside of the glass with packing material, which provides additional protection.
• Don’t pack any dirty dishes. Give each item a thorough cleaning before and after packing.
• Pack kitchen appliances in their original boxes when possible. This is the best way of preventing damage to your appliances.
• Label your boxes clearly. This will help keep your kitchenware organized and accounted for.

Your kitchen items require attention and care when packing them up for moving and storage. As long as you use a little common sense and double check to ensure your items are truly secure, your kitchenware should survive, no matter how long the move, or the amount of time in storage.

Tables are one of the more awkward items you have to deal with when moving. Tables can take up a lot of space in your moving truck or storage container if not correctly packed. Here are some tips that may help:

• For large tables, such as dining room tables, disassemble everything you can. Take the legs off if possible. Keep any hardware from the table in a sealed bag or container so they won’t get lost. Taping a bag with the hardware in it to the underside of the table is a good idea.
• If the legs have been removed, wrap them in something that provides protection. Table legs can become damaged if not properly wrapped.
• Also cover the table top with a pad, moving blanket, or similar solution to prevent your tabletop from getting scratched.
• Stand the tabletop upright, against the wall of the storage container or moving truck. This also helps minimize any damage that may occur during storage and/or transport.

Following these tips will help ensure your table will come out of storage or moving in the same condition as it went in.

Do you have a lot of books? Do you need to pack your books up for moving or storage? Here are some important things to remember when packing up your collection:

• Smaller boxes are better. Filling large boxes with books makes them difficult to lift and handle. Disperse the weight of your books into several small boxes, rather than one or two large ones.
• Be sure you use a strong enough container to hold your books. If using a cardboard box, make sure the cardboard is thick, and that you can close the top with a lid or flaps. Tape the bottom of cardboard boxes securely with packing tape.
• Start packing the boxes with the larger, heavier books on the bottom. Pack the smaller, lighter ones on top. This allows for a better fit, and prevents smaller books from being damaged or crushed by larger ones.
• If storing your books for a length of time, be sure your books are dry when you pack them, as moisture will damage your books in a closed space. Keep your books stored in a cool, dry place.
• Don’t keep your book collection on the ground. This allows water, insects, and mold to get into the box.

If you follow these suggestions and use a little common sense, you should not have any problems when packing up your prized collection. Be sure to keep your books in a stable environment and they should last you a lifetime!