Of all the rooms that need to be prepared for moving, the kitchen is usually the most complex and time-consuming. Packing kitchen items requires careful planning and a large amount of consumables, especially if, in addition to plates, cutlery and glasses, you need to pack small appliances: blenders, fryers and mixers.
Although such household appliances do require special treatment, they are not so difficult to pack for moving. All you need is the right packaging materials, including the right size boxes, and a general idea of how to pack the devices with minimal risk of damage during transportation.
Below we will look at the main things you need to know, as well as give tips that will help your kitchen appliances get to their destination safely. Here is an approximate list of kitchen assistants in question:
- toasters;
- blenders and food processors;
- microwave ovens;
- deep fryers;
- pressure cookers;
- stationary mixers;
- bread makers;
- rice cookers;
- coffee makers and espresso machines.
In general, if the device is compact, used in cooking food or drinks and is plugged into an outlet, it most likely belongs to small household appliances. It remains only to safely deliver it from point A to point B.
What consumables are needed for packaging kitchen appliances
You will not need any special materials for packaging. Just make sure that there are enough of them, and they are of the proper quality.
- Boxes. It is best to pack small equipment in boxes that are as appropriate in size as possible. If you still have the original ones, this is an ideal option, but standard boxes for moving will also work.
- Packaging paper. Have enough wrapping paper on hand both for wrapping items and for filling voids in boxes. (You can also use kitchen towels if you have run out of paper, or you want to save it.)
- Duct tape. To fix the wrapper and seal the boxes.
- Wire or ties. For fixing the wires. For this purpose, you can also use scotch tape.
- Permanent marker. In addition to stickers, just in case, have a marker on hand so that you can sign boxes with small appliances as “fragile”.
6 steps to packaging small household appliances
Regardless of the specific device, the procedure to follow in order to properly pack small household appliances will be the same.
- Wipe the device
It is recommended to thoroughly wash and dry the gadget before packing, as this will save you from transporting crumbs, fat and other debris to your new home. If there is no time, it is enough to wipe every detail with a damp cloth. Just do not forget to completely dry the device before wrapping it.
- Disconnect all removable parts
Disassemble the appliances instead of packing them whole. Removable parts – for example, a plate-tray from a microwave oven or a knife from a food processor-must be packed separately and carefully. Put these parts next to the device to which they belong before wrapping it – so you can pack them close to each other.
- Find the box
Remember that when packing small household appliances, it is best to use a box that is as close as possible in size, usually small or medium-sized. Try not to put several devices together in one large box – this is not a good idea when it comes to fragile objects, even if they are properly fixed.
- Wrap the devices with paper
Start packing the equipment by twisting the wires and securing them with ties or tape. Additionally, attach them to the side of the device. If there is a non-removable door – like, for example, a microwave oven-fix it with tape.
Please note that if the devices are stored packed for some time, a sticky trace may remain from the tape. Therefore, have a glue remover on hand after unpacking.
Then wrap each device, including small parts, in wrapping paper. You may need to use two or three layers of paper for fragile parts and the case. Wrap the paper tightly and secure it with tape so that it stays in place.
- Put it in a box
Before placing the wrapped device in a box, put it inside with wrapping paper to provide an additional “pillow” (towels are perfect for this purpose). Then carefully place the device there together with its component parts. Take kitchen towels or crumpled wrapping paper and fill the empty space in the box to prevent items from moving during transportation.
If there is a lot of free space left in the boxes, you can use it to pack additional, less fragile kitchen items, if they are properly wrapped and secured. So you will fill the voids.
- Seal and label the boxes
Seal and mark each box as they are filled, so as not to forget what you put there. As we have already said, specify “fragile” on them, so that movers take special care when loading and unloading.
Some appliances, such as a microwave oven, will require additional training. However, in most cases, the steps described above are all you need to do to pack small appliances for moving. Consider hiring the out of state movers. Check moving company reviews carefully and be prepared to save your money and download and print a moving checklist.
