How to pack silverware for moving

The kitchen is, arguably, the most difficult room in the house to pack – it is full of heavy, fragile, and oddly-shaped items, each of which represents a specific packing challenge.

Kitchen utensils – and silverware, in particular – make no difference. They can easily tarnish or get otherwise damaged during a move – and they can cause a lot of damage, too (if not properly wrapped, fork tines can scratch or rip other items and knives can cause personal injuries and severe damage to your belongings).

So, when packing cutlery for moving, you need to take special care to protect the silverware, protect the rest of your items, and protect the people handling the utensils.  

Even if the silverware is not really silver but stainless steel, you still need to pack it carefully in order to prevent damages and accidents. And if you’re packing sterling silverware, you need to go above and beyond to protect the precious metal.

Read on to find out the best way to pack silverware for moving.

Packing silverware in a tray

If you keep your silverware in a cutlery tray, packing it for moving will be quite easy:

1. Make sure your silverware is clean and dry;
2. Put each cutlery item in its respective place in the cutlery tray;
3. Fill any empty spaces in the tray with crumpled paper to keep the silverware in place and prevent the pieces from shifting during the move;
4. Place a few sheets of packing paper (or a kitchen towel) over the utensils to form a protection layer;
5. Wrap the entire silverware tray with packing paper, newspaper, or large towels. Secure the wrappings in place with packing tape. (Alternatively, you can wrap the tray in plastic wrap.);
6. Mark the top of the tray so you know which side is up when unpacking after the move (so the forks, spoons, and knives don’t fall out when you unwrap the tray);
7. Place the wrapped tray in a strong, padded box of appropriate size. If there remains space in the box, use it to pack some kitchen towels, oven mitts, or other soft, lightweight kitchen items – this way, you will both optimize the space in the box (saving packing space) and will keep the wrapped tray immobile during transit (reducing the risk of damage to your items);
8. Seal the box with packing tape, label it “KITCHEN: SILVERWARE”, and mark which side is up.

This method is your best bet when looking for an easy way to pack silverware.

Packing silverware without a tray

If you keep your silverware in a drawer with no tray, you need to bundle similar items together and provide them with adequate protection. Here is how to pack cutlery without a tray:

1. Make sure your silverware is clean and dry;
2. Sort your cutlery by type and size – dinner forks, salad forks, dessert forks, tablespoons, teaspoons, chef’s knives, paring knives, butter knives, etc. Stack the similar pieces together – on top of one another, facing the same direction;
3. Place three sheets of packing paper on a flat, hard surface (a counter or table) and put a stack of 6-8 silverware items on one corner;
4. Roll the silverware pieces in the protective material to form a tight bundle (tuck in the extra paper as you roll). Use tape to secure the bundle;
5. Bundle up all your cutlery in the same way;
6. Place the bundles flat in a small, sturdy box;
7. Add padding in the box (use crumpled newspapers or soft, lightweight kitchen items) to make sure nothing moves inside it;
8. Close the box, seal it with packing tape, and label it with its contents and destination room.

Good to remember: Be extra careful when packing knives for moving – make sure the blades are completely wrapped in several layers of packing paper and the bundles are well secured. (See also: How to pack knives for moving)

Packing valuable silverware

If you have sterling silver pieces, an antique silverware set, a family heirloom set, or any other valuable cutlery items, you need to take special care to ensure their safety during the move:

1. Make sure each piece is clean and dry, then polish the silverware to help protect it during the trip to your new home;
2. Wrap each piece in tissue paper or soft, white packing paper (air can cause silver to tarnish, so silver pieces should be put in special cloth bags or wrapped in clean paper when they’re not used for a longer period of time – the soft paper or cloth will keep air away from the precious metal and prevents tarnishing);
3. Arrange the wrapped silverware pieces in a small, strong box;
4. Add plenty of padding inside the box to cushion the silverware items and prevent them from shifting during transit;
5. Seal the box tightly, label it with its contents and destination room, and write “HANDLE WITH CARE” on all its sides.

If your valuable silverware set has its own box or chest, you may not need to wrap each piece individually – most likely, the box or chest will be velvet-lined (or padded in another appropriate way) and there will be individual compartments for each piece, so the silver items will be well cushioned and protected from tarnish. In such a case, you’re only advised to place a soft cloth or a sheet of paper on top of the silverware as an extra protective layer. Wrap the chest in a large towel and place it in a strong, padded moving box, together with some soft kitchen items. Seal the box with packing tape and label it clearly.

See also: How to pack valuables when moving house

Bonus tip: How to pack kitchen utensils for moving

Whisks, spatulas, ladles and other cooking utensils are awkwardly shaped and not stackable. Besides, you probably have only one of each of these specialty kitchen items.

So, when packing kitchen utensils for moving, you need to wrap each piece individually, either in packing paper or in a kitchen towel. Place the wrapped utensils in a sturdy moving box of appropriate size, fill any empty space in the carton with soft kitchen items or bubble wrap, seal the box and label it properly.

Related: How to pack pots and pans for moving; How to pack plates for moving; How to pack glasses for moving

One final piece of advice for packing silverware for moving – start early. You use your eating utensils every day, of course, but you don’t need to wait until the last moment to pack your flatware – you can switch over to paper plates and plastic utensils for the final week (or at least several days) before moving day. This will allow you to pack most of your kitchen items in advance, so you have a bit more time for other important task in the last days before your move.

Now that you know how to pack silverware for moving safely and efficiently, your cutlery items will arrive in perfect condition and ready to use at your new home. Unpack them as soon possible, so you can have a pleasant meal in your new home and replenish your energy after the exhausting relocation. Bon appetite!