Moving can be a stressful time in our lives, especially when it comes to packing up the kitchen. How were you able to get all that stuff in the cupboards, cabinets, pantries, and kitchen shelves, right? And while plates, glasses and French presses may get a lot of attention when packing, how to pack knives for your move is just as important.
It’s vital to make sure that your knives are packed properly so they don’t damage any other items in the same box. And if you pack them with other silverware, you don’t want to reach into the moving box and end up accidentally cutting yourself on those steak knives! Moving is stressful enough without needing to break out the first aid kit.
Before you start packing your knives, you’ll need to gather some essential supplies. If you’re a professional chef, you probably already have a handy pouch for transporting your knives. For everyone else, here are some tips on how to pack kitchen knives safely and securely for moving:
Step 1 – Organize your knives
Step 2 – Group knives by size
Step 3 – Clean your knives
Step 4 – Gather packing materials
Step 5 – Use knife guards
Step 6 – Wrap the knives individually
Step 7 – Secure the knives
Step 8 – Load them into a box
Step 9 – Secure the box
Step 10 – Label the box
10 Steps to Packing Knives for a Move
Organize Your Knives
The first step when it comes to packing your kitchen knives is to get them organized. Take all of your knives out of their cutlery block or drawer and put them in the same place for easy access. If you have a lot of different types of knives (such as steak, paring, etc.), consider separating them. It will be easier to keep track of when packing.
Group Knives by Size
Group your knives into sets of similar sizes. This will simplify the subsequent tasks. Aim to limit each knife group to a maximum of five knives. If you own any specialty knives with distinctive shapes or are of higher value, store them separately and pack each one individually.
Butter knives or table knives can probably be grouped together because there will be similar sizes and the blades aren’t that pointy or sharp. Carving knives, bread knives, cleavers, and larger knives should be wrapped individually but can be grouped together after.
Clean Your Knives
Before packing them, make sure your knives are clean and dry. This will prevent any residue or moisture from causing rust or damage during the move.
Gather Packing Materials
After washing and thoroughly drying your knives, figure out what will protect both the knife itself and anything else in the same box. Layers of bubble wrap are a great option because it provides cushioning between the knife and other items in the box. The wrap will also protect against scratches or dings on the blade itself.
Layers of packing paper also work, as will newspaper or towels. Just make sure that whatever material you use won’t cause scratches on your blades.
Use Knife Guards
If you have knife guards or blade protectors, insert your knives into them. If you really want to protect the tips, but you don’t have knife guards, you can use cardboard to create makeshift guards. Simply cut a piece of cardboard to size, fold it over the knife, and secure it with tape.
Wrap Knives Individually
Once you have chosen a material, wrap each knife individually. Lay out a sheet of packing paper or newspaper and place a knife diagonally on it. Fold one corner of the paper over the knife, then fold the sides in and roll the knife tightly into the paper. Use packing tape to secure the wrapping. For extra protection, you can wrap the knife in a layer of bubble wrap before the paper.
Secure The Knives
Once each knife has been wrapped, you can wrap them all together for extra protection. Lay out packing paper or a towel and place each knife a few inches apart on the paper or towel. Then just roll them up! Tape the top and bottom of your roll of knives to make sure none of them work their way out during transit.
Load The Box
With all of your knives safe and secure, put down a layer of crumpled packing paper on the bottom of the box and place your knives inside. Other silverware can be wrapped the same way, too, and placed in the bottom of the box. Additional items can then be placed on top of the silverware.
Secure the Box
Seal the box with packing tape and double-check that it’s well-sealed. Make sure that the box isn’t too heavy, as you don’t want it to become a hazard during the move.
Label the Box
Don’t forget to label your box! Clearly mark it as “Kitchen Knives” or “Sharp Objects” and indicate that it needs to be handled with care. This will help movers or anyone assisting with your move to be cautious when handling the box.
Important Safety Tips
When handling packed knives, always be cautious and consider using gloves if necessary to avoid injury.
Communicate with your movers or anyone assisting with the move to make sure they are aware of the box containing sharp objects.
Unpack the knives carefully at your new location and store them properly in your kitchen.
Packing kitchen knives for your next move doesn’t have to be difficult if you take the time to do it properly. By organizing your knives before packing and ensuring each knife is properly secured, you can rest assured knowing that your kitchen knives will arrive safely. With these tips in mind, you shouldn’t have any problem getting your favorite cooking tools safely to your new place.
Plan B for Packing & Moving Your Knives: Hire Someone Else To Do It!
Don’t want to be bothered with any of it? You can just call Smooth Move People and let us take care of your cutlery. We will pack your knives (and everything else), load them onto our trucks, and then unload them when we get to your new home. All you have to worry about is where everything is going to go!
However, if you want to pack everything yourself, we have sheets of packing paper and rolls of bubble wrap and all the packing tape you’ll need! We also have boxes in various sizes, specialty boxes for glasses and plates, and wardrobe boxes as well. If you’re moving, we have everything you need!
