Broken dishes don’t have to be part of your move. With the right packing method, you can safely move your plates, bowls, and glassware without a single chip. Whether you’re hiring movers or handling everything yourself, most companies won’t protect your dishes unless you pay for full-service packing. That means it’s up to you to do it right—and it’s easier than you think.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to pack dishes for moving, using affordable materials like packing paper, double-walled boxes, and Bubble Wrap. You’ll learn how to wrap fragile items, fill boxes properly, and label them so unpacking is simple.
Understanding Packing Materials
Some companies may provide packing materials, especially top movers that specialize in small moves. More affordable movers may require you to buy moving supplies on your own. Hardware stores often carry a good selection of moving boxes and packing tape. You can also find packing materials at truck rental stores or through online distributors.
Your list of supplies should include the following:
- Medium, double-walled boxes (around 18 by 18 by 28 inches)
- Packing tape
- Permanent marker
- Plain packing paper or tissue paper
- Tissue paper, Bubble Wrap, or packing styrofoam
Invest in double-walled boxes or dish pack boxes to prevent crushing or damage during transport. You can reuse Bubble Wrap, newspaper, and packing peanuts as filler materials, but avoid using them for direct contact with the dishes. Packing paper is the best way to wrap dishes, as Bubble Wrap is difficult to mold around them. Banker’s boxes are a good choice for sturdy boxes that you can assemble yourself without the need for tape.
Preparing Dishes for Packing
Once you have your packing supplies, prep your dishes and other fragile items by following these steps:
- Clear and clean a large, flat surface such as a kitchen counter or dining table to hold your dishes.
- Wash and dry all your dishes, then sort them into packing groups.
- Organize groups by similarity in size and function to help maximize space and prevent damage to items.
- If you purchased a roll of packing paper, cut several sheets of the appropriate size from it and place them in a pile. Have a big enough stack of packing paper to handle all your dishes.
The more organized you are, the faster the process will go.
Packing Techniques
Your kitchen contains many breakables. Careful kitchen packing prevents damage to your items and injuries from broken glass when reaching into the box. Label each box as you pack it, marking the contents on the sides and top to make unpacking easier when you get to your new home.
Packing Glassware and Fragile Items
Stemware and glassware are extremely fragile, but you can protect them using a cell or bottle box. A cell box works well with wine glasses, as the compartments reduce breakage. If these aren’t available, put extra support within the box with dividers or dish sleeves.
Begin by crumpling several sheets of packing paper inside the globe of the glass. Once finished, lay out two to three sheets of packing paper. Place the glass on its side, laying it perpendicular to the corner of the packing paper.
Carefully pull the corner of the paper around the glass before gently rolling the glass forward. Fold the excess paper around the stem and globe, keeping it molded to the glass. Insert the glass into a packing cell, making sure it fits snugly. If the fit is too loose, use more sheets of paper to further wrap the glass. Fill in any open cells or top areas of cells with Bubble Wrap or crumpled paper, ensuring there is no room for movement once the lid is closed.
Packing Plates
Use extra layers of packing paper to add support to the bottom of the box when packing plates. You’ll also want to pack the heaviest dishes first, such as serving plates or dinner plates.
Wrap plates individually to prevent them from knocking into each other and chipping. Center the plate across several sheets of packing paper. Pull in the corners over the center of the plate. You can decrease movement within the box by wrapping four wrapped pieces together.
Place your wrapped stacks of plates into the box. Fill in any gaps in the box with extra packing material. When labeling any box of dishes, label it “fragile” and mark it “this side up” with an arrow on the appropriate sides.
Silverware Shortcut: When packing utensil trays alongside your dishes, wind plastic wrap around the entire tray to keep everything in place. If the tray gets overturned in transit, you won’t lose any pieces.
Packing Bowls
Follow the same method as packing plates for bowls. The extra paper should create a cushion in the open center of the bowl. Pack the bowls into the boxes on their sides rather than in a nesting position. Use extra packing material to fill in extra space between layers or between the sides and top of the box.
Packing Casserole Dishes
Pro Tip
- Barry Izsak, president of the National Association of Professional Organizers, recommends storing like things together — dishes with dishes, utensils with utensils. Apply this same principle when packing: group casserole dishes, food prep bowls, and storage containers by type and material so unpacking at your new home is faster and more organized.
Cookware dishes are typically heavier and bulkier than dinner plates. Wrap each piece using the same techniques as dinnerware, starting with the heavier items at the bottom of the box. Since fewer large pieces will fit in a box, it’s best to fill in the empty space with smaller dishes.
Packing Food Prep and Storage Dishes
If you have plastic mixing or storage bowls, you can nest smaller pieces inside larger ones to save space. Then, wrap this as a group following the instructions for wrapping bowls. If your storage or prep dishes are glass, you’ll need to wrap them individually. Don’t forget to keep heavier items on the bottom.
Organizing Your Moving Boxes
Be specific and thorough when labeling your boxes. This will make it easier for a team of movers to load and unload the truck. Label each side of the box with both the contents and the room of the house where the box will be placed.
Store your boxes with the heavier ones on the bottom. Stack boxes from larger to smaller, working to keep the same-size boxes together. Avoid stacking boxes labeled “fragile” too high, as it increases the risk of falling.
Keep an Eye on Storage Transfers: If your belongings will be placed in temporary storage between pickup and delivery, be especially watchful when they arrive. As TOH Magazine notes, there is a greater chance of loss or damage when goods are unloaded and reloaded onto the truck, so cross-reference your numbered box list at delivery to catch any missing items right away.
If you’d rather leave the packing to the pros, you’re not alone. According to the TOH 2025 Moving Survey, 34.3 percent of respondents who hired full-service movers purchased packing as an add-on, and nearly 30 percent bought packing supplies through their moving company. Even if you go that route, clear labeling on every box ensures the unloading crew places items in the right rooms.
Numbering System: In addition to labeling contents and room destinations, number each box sequentially and keep a master inventory list. As TOH Magazine advises, numbering and labeling the boxes you pack yourself helps you keep track of things during the move—and makes it easier to confirm that everything comes back off the truck at your new home.
Unpacking and Setting up in Your New Home
When you are ready to unpack in your new home, clean out the cabinet or space where the dishes will go. Try to determine where items will go before you open the dish boxes.
Start with one category and put it away before working on another category. If you’re working on dinnerware, gather all the dinnerware boxes nearby as you begin. Unwrap fragile items over a counter, and lay a folded towel down for extra cushioning in case a dish drops.
Have a large box to collect the packing paper and trash as you unpack. Flatten the empty cardboard boxes immediately and place them under the trash can. Even though you have already washed the dishes before packing, you may still need a towel to wipe off any lint or dust.
Our Conclusion
Even highly rated moving companies won’t be able to protect your dishes if they aren’t carefully packed. Take care when boxing dishes and other fragile items to keep them safe, and stay organized to make unpacking simpler. These are the most important packing tips:
- Use the right size boxes and packing materials.
- Avoid using Bubble Wrap and printed newspaper for wrapping dishes.
- Always place the heaviest items on the bottom of the box.
- Clearly label dish boxes with the contents, room location, and “fragile.”
It doesn’t matter if you plan to move yourself or find a budget-friendly moving service. Dishes are fragile and need extra protection if they’re going to get to your new destination in one piece.
Don’t Forget Insurance: Even with careful packing, accidents happen. Most movers provide minimal coverage — typically 60 cents per pound — at no charge, but that means a 10-pound set of heirloom dishes would only net you $6 in reimbursement. For valuable dishware, consider upgrading to “full-value protection,” which covers the cost of replacing damaged items at current prices. According to the TOH 2025 Moving Survey, only 33.30% of movers purchased extra valuation coverage — meaning two-thirds of people left their belongings underprotected.
FAQs
Where can I find free boxes for fragile items?
Look for free boxes on the U-Haul box exchange, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or the Freecycle Network. You can also check with your state moving association for local resources.
Can I use newspaper instead of packing paper?
Newspaper works well for filling in gaps in your dish boxes. However, don’t use it to wrap dishes directly since the heavy newsprint ink could damage items with stains. The United States Post Office sells thick brown paper that keeps items from shifting or chipping in transport.
How do professional movers pack dishes?
Professional movers complete training courses before handling your personal property. For dishes, they’ll use a medium-sized box with reinforced sides as well as dish racks or dividers to help hold items in place. They keep the weight limit on dish boxes under the maximum allowed (usually 60 pounds) and stack heavier items on the bottom.
