It does not matter if you bought your dishes on clearance or received them as a wedding gift, the last thing you want is to unpack and find one broken. If you are single and never cook for anyone, maybe this is not a big deal, but if you have a family or do a lot of entertaining, one missing dish typically translates to needing a new set. You do not necessarily need to wrap each dish carefully in bubble wrap, but you can learn how to pack dishes or china so they arrive at your destination undamaged with these clever tips.

Stack Vertically

When packing dishes for moving, most people wrap each plate and stack them in the box horizontally. After all, this is how they sit piled in your cupboard, so it only seems right to transport them in the same manner. Well, what you might not realize is that every single bump in the road will have the plates bouncing. Even if they are wrapped in paper, all that constant moving around makes them quite vulnerable. The best way of packing them is wrapping each plate, and then stack them vertically in a box. Make sure you fill excess space with socks, towels, or other soft material to keep them secure.

Paint Buckets

Those orange paint buckets (or something similar) you find at Home Depot can be perfect for packing plates. Wrap each one and stack them on top of one another in the bucket. Sure, they are horizontal, but if you are going to pack them horizontally, using a bucket is a great idea. It is sturdy, secure, and will not allow plates to bounce around much. Plus, there is no risk of the bottom breaking open either.

Restaurant Racks

If you have a favorite restaurant or café you eat at enough to know the entire staff and owner on first name basis, maybe they will let you borrow dish racks early one morning. Obviously, this only works for a local move because you have to return them, but it is a great way to get them across town safely. These are heavy duty, hard plastic, dish and glass racks used in the dishwasher and they are a great alternative to cardboard boxes. Load, transport, unload, and return the racks.

Styrofoam Plates

With so much concern over the environment, you probably hate the thought of using Styrofoam plates. However, if you are like most others, you have a pack in the back of your cupboard you have yet to throw away. You might as well put them to use. Place one between each plate. This can always be combined with the orange bucket.

Clothes and Towels

If you’re wondering how to pack glasses and cut down on wasteful wrapping material, this tip is for you. Instead of using newspaper (which doesn’t provide enough protection anyway) or bubble wrap (which is wasteful and expensive), why not use your towels, tees and rags as packing material? Simply wrap each dish in a towel or tee, and stuff the moving boxes with rags to secure the dishes in place. When it comes to packing wine glasses and stemware, use your socks to wrap each one individually. Do be very careful when you remove them from the socks; this is when you are most likely to break a stem.

And one last thing: take your time when packing your kitchen before moving. A little extra attention can save a lot of money and woe. You can toss all your clothes in a suitcase and all your toiletries in a bag but moving kitchen items is a different story. Pack with care and label all your kitchen boxes clearly, noting their fragile contents.

Here are some tips if you are moving this summer

-Try to move during the week. Fridays and Saturdays are in high demand.

-Avoid the last week of the month and the first of the new month.

-Be sure to give an accurate list of items. Estimates are based on how much you are moving. A more in depth of a list gives you a more accurate moving estimate.

-Let your move specialist know of any obstacles the movers might face. For example: Narrow Staircases, Extremely Heavy Pieces of Furniture or Winding Staircases. These obstacles could potentially add more time to your move.

Check out this article and when you’re done get a FREE ESTIMATE from us.

Moving To A New State Guide, Checklist & Tips

All your Juicing vs. Blending questions answered in this great article.

Juicing vs. Blending

WHAT IS EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL?

Extra virgin is the highest quality and most expensive olive oil classification. It should have no defects and a flavor of fresh olives.

It must be produced entirely by mechanical means without the use of any solvents, and under temperatures that will not degrade the oil.

It’s not easy to produce extra virgin olive oil. A producer must use fresh olives in good condition and monitor every step of the process with great care. Extra virgin olive oil doesn’t stay that way: Even in perfect storage conditions, the oil will degrade over time, so it’s important to enjoy it within its two-year shelf life.

GOOD EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL IS…

A well-stocked kitchen allows you to throw together a fast, flavorful meal after a long day. And, when you wake up and have to dash out the door for work, it pays to have grab-and-go breakfast and snack options on hand. We tapped registered dietitians, personal chefs, and bloggers for their must-have foods to always keep in their kitchens. (And yes, they’re all good for you, too.) Some you probably already have, while others you’ll want to add to your list.

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What Is the Difference Between a Down and a Down-Alternative Comforter?

While both down and down-alternative comforters serve the same purpose, the materials inside, the care instructions and even the weight of each may vary greatly. A down comforter is made from the fine quill-less material beneath the feather layer on ducks and geese, while a down-alternative comforter may be made from synthetic or natural materials, depending on brand. Down alternatives offer solutions for those with allergies or asthma.

Down: Pros

Down-filled comforters offer a warmth difficult to duplicate with synthetic materials. A down comforter is typically far lighter in weight than a down-alternative variety with a similar thickness, which is helpful if you prefer lightweight bedding. Air trapped between bits of down provides a good deal of warmth while still allowing the comforter to breathe, so resting beneath a down comforter feels less clammy than under some synthetic alternatives.

Down: Cons

Many down comforters are not designed for machine washing, so a duvet cover is required to keep the comforter in top shape. A down comforter is also more expensive than many down-alternative varieties. Down may trigger allergy or asthma attacks in those sensitive to this type of filling or dust mites within it.

Down Alternative: Pros

A down-alternative comforter is designed to emulate actual down in fluffiness and warmth while being safe for sufferers of asthma or allergies. Many down alternatives are machine washable, so they’re easier to care for than down-based versions. They are also less expensive with a wide range of options price-wise, depending on the filling used and the thread count of the comforter.

Down Alternative: Cons

Some down-alternative comforters designed to appear as fluffy as a down comforter are considerably heavier than down, which is a drawback if you prefer lightweight bedding. Synthetic fillings such as polyester do not breathe as well as natural fibers, so a synthetic down alternative may make you feel clammy or sweaty after resting beneath it for a while. Washing a down-alternative comforter may result in shrinkage. Some down-alternative comforter fabric does not hold up well during frequent use or washing, resulting in pilling or worn material.

If you were to plan or design your living room all over again, what would be the first 10 things on your list? Some items are must-haves and every living room should include them, no matter what the style or the design is. For us, these 10 items are: Click Here

Is your medicine cabinet fully stocked?

Every kitchen should be stocked with these favorite essentials. The more you cook, the more you’ll discover our other great tools of the trade to add to your collection.