When you’re preparing to move, your never-ending to-do list rolls out like an intimidating red carpet. One of the most daunting tasks on that list involves the heart of the home— your kitchen. Kitchens are often stocked with gadgets and goodies designed to make cooking a breeze, along with utensils necessary to thoroughly enjoy what you’ve spent all that time preparing. The thought of packing those items up— especially those oddly shaped yet delicate ones, such as silverware —can be a bit of a headache. But imagine the relief of handing off this task to a professional moving service.

Let Maffucci Moving & Storage take some of the burden of moving. As a full-service moving company, we can handle anything you throw at us. From helping you get organized to determining how to store silverware, packing items, or loading the truck when the big day comes, we’re prepared to do it all. 

Organizing to Move

What’s the most important item you need to enjoy a good meal? Silverware, of course! Although silverware is small and often an afterthought when it comes to packing, it deserves to be packed with as much care as any other kitchen item. This is especially true if your utensils are made of genuine silver, a precious metal. Before you start actually packing, you’ll need to get organized. Review our tips for prepping silverware for packing to streamline the process.

• Sort and organize. Group the same pieces together (forks with forks) and do a “head count” to ensure everything is accounted for. 
• Clean and dry. Wash your pieces with soap and water or a soft wash in the dishwasher, then dry each item thoroughly with a clean cloth. 
• Individually wrap items. Once dried, wrap each piece individually in packing paper, using enough to fully protect it. 
• Group into sets.  To save space in the box, arrange your individually wrapped items into bundles of 5–6 pieces. 
• Use silverware trays. A cutlery tray is one of the easiest and safest transportation methods as it minimizes the possibility of damage when you place the individually wrapped pieces in the slots.
• Line the box. Line the bottom of the box with crushed packing paper for extra cushioned support. 
• Pack light items on top. To distribute weight more evenly, load heavier items on the bottom and place light items on top.
• Russian doll technique. Pack silverware inside dishes, bowls, and serving dishes to maximize your materials. 
• Fill the gaps. To minimize item shifting, place extra packing paper in any gaps in the box and add paper on top before closing it up. 
• Tape the bottom. Remember to double-tape the bottom of the box so it won’t give out when handling it. 

Gathering Supplies

You’ve probably done a bit of decluttering to simplify the packing process. That’s great because it means you’ve gotten a jump on getting organized. Getting organized involves purchasing the proper supplies, like a silverware storage box. When picking out various-sized boxes, ensure they’re sturdy enough to hold up during transport. Sometimes, boxes get jostled around by no fault of the driver because of poor road infrastructure. If this happens to you, you’ll be thankful that you sprung for higher-quality boxes to protect your items. Other supplies you’ll want to have on hand include:

• Bubble wrap/packing paper
• Packing tape
• Labels
• Permanent markers
• Plastic stretch wrap

Bubble wrap or packing paper is essential for protecting your silverware. Cushioning silverware will protect it from getting hit by other items during transport. Like boxes, you’ll want thicker and high-quality materials to provide the most protection possible. Tape, labels, and markers are crucial to ensuring your boxes are properly secured and are easy to identify. A clearly labeled box will make unpacking a breeze. Plastic wrap is good for tightly covering your items with an extra layer to ensure they’re not moving around in the back of the moving vehicle. 

Keeping Things Safe

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, when your loved ones gather around the table and admire your table setting, which includes a nice set of silverware, it’s a moment of pride. That’s a big reason why it’s so important to understand how to roll silverware and properly pack it when moving—to keep the items in tip-top shape. To prevent your silverware from getting scratched or tarnished during the move, review the following tips and look at our other blogs for valuable insight.

1. Wash the silverware. To minimize the chance of tarnish, wash all silverware pieces before packing them up. You don’t want to pack away dirty items. 
2. Polish the silverware. After washing it, polish each utensil. This preventative step will help to keep tarnish at bay. 
3. Chalk the silverware. Place a one-inch-sized piece of chalk in each rolled item. Chalk absorbs moisture but can be easily wiped away, making it ideal for slowing the tarnishing process.

Fragile or Antique Silverware

If you have antique or particularly fragile silverware, some methods are more effective than others for keeping it safe during the move. Precious metals are especially prone to tarnish if exposed to moisture, making a wood-lined or velvet-lined chest the best option for storing silverware. Like your other items, ensure they’re polished and clean before packing. You can wrap the pieces in a cloth before putting them in the padded box and further cut down on the tarnish risk by using a container of baking soda to absorb moisture. 

Sharp Items

When packing sharp items like knives, take extra caution. Place them flat on the packing material and fold one side of the material over to cover the item. Alternate the direction of blades when adding knives to the pile. Wrap them up again and label them in big letters: “KNIVES.” If you are packing a storage block of knives, leave them inside the block and wrap the entire item together. If they loosely fit in the block instead of snug, fold cardboard around the blade, tape it closed, and put them back in the slots. 

Move the Maffucci Way

Moving is a busy time, from buying supplies and packing to forwarding mail and even saying goodbyes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the process, consider getting assistance. When you hire a professional moving company— like Maffucci Moving & Storage —you can focus on the smaller, more important details of the move while we handle the physically taxing work. Our experience and expertise can help ensure your items arrive at your new home safely and securely. 

Our team offers valuable advice on organizing, packing, and storing precious mementos, like your grandmother’s silverware, to give you peace of mind during a stressful time. Keep your valuables safe! Contact Maffucci Moving for expert packing services, and let us handle your silverware and other fragile items with care.