Getting the kitchen ready is one of the trickiest parts of making a move since so much food is involved. Learn how to pack pantry items for moving to prevent spills, breakage, and food waste during your relocation. Whether it’s for a short or long-distance move, our professional moving team can also give you a checklist and more tips for a stress-free move.
How to Pack Pantry Items for Moving
To pack pantry items for moving, optimize your grocery list and cook down your stock, which helps to clear out your shelves. Categorize items that are prone to breaking or spilling, knowing which ones to keep, toss, or donate for a smoother transition. Use clean storage containers, place large/heavy items at the bottom of the box with small/light items at the top, and label everything categorically.
Get practical tips for moving pantry goods safely so you can focus on settling into your new space instead of dealing with spills and breakage on moving day. Whether you’re handling a cross-country move yourself or need professional help, Square Cow Movers can take the stress out of the entire move from start to finish.
| Phase | Recommended Timeline | Key Actions |
| Declutter and sort | 1-4 weeks out | Reduce stock: Scale back grocery shopping and prioritize using perishable foods. Categorize: Separate fragile items (glass), liquids (oils), and dry goods. Toss/donate: Throw out expired or moldy food. Donate sealed, non-perishable goods (plan this 1 month out). |
| Pack strategically | 1 week out to moving day | Use proper containers: Transfer bulk dry goods into sturdy, sealed plastic containers. Layer heavier items: Place heavy items (large cans) at the bottom of small/medium boxes. Seal liquids: Secure lids of oils/condiments with plastic wrap, then place in a zip-top bag and wrap for cushioning. |
| Label and finalize | Moving day and day before | Protect fragile items: Individually wrap glass jars/containers with packing paper and pack them separately with soft cushioning (towels/linens) in a lined box. Label clearly: Mark boxes with “Fragile”, “This Side Up”, and a detailed content list (like “Heavy Canned Food”). Create an “Open First” box. |
Phase 1: Declutter and Sort Pantry Goods
This phase often takes up a huge chunk of the packing process because it involves making decisions about what to keep, toss, or donate. However, it significantly streamlines the entire move. By efficiently sorting and reducing your pantry stock, you minimize the number of boxes you need, which saves time, money, and effort later on.
1. Lightening Up Your Grocery Shopping List
Reducing your pantry stock by being mindful of your purchases is the easiest way to cut down on moving boxes. This lets you prepare recipes that utilize current supplies instead of buying more. This proactive measure simplifies the packing process significantly by minimizing the amount of food you have to move, reducing waste, and saving money.
- About three to four weeks before the move, scale back on your grocery shopping.
- Take a quick inventory of your pantry’s contents.
- Prioritize using up any perishable food and leftovers.
- Buy only the ingredients you need for what you can cook in the weeks leading up to the move.
- Avoid bulk-buying and purchasing new items that you won’t consume.
2. Planning Your Meals
Planning your meals is the most effective way to eliminate food waste and minimize the number of items you need to pack. Try to strategically use up existing ingredients and leftovers. Through deliberate meal prep, your family remains well-fed while systematically depleting your pantry stock, making the final packing stages much simpler.
- Plan dishes around the ingredients you already have, especially those with short expiration dates.
- Search for a recipe that helps use up specific bulky items like flour or pasta.
- Cook down your stock and use your freezer to store items like frozen foods, precooked food, and frozen fruits.
- Consider hosting a low-key going-away party to use up any remaining supplies.
- Gradually transition to simple meals using only cheap canned goods or non-perishables as your moving date nears.
- Cook perishable items in the final week so you don’t have to throw them away.
- Try eating in more and bringing lunches to work or school.
3. Categorizing Items
Categorizing pantry goods informs your packing strategy. This keeps fragile glassware, as well as liquids such as oils and vinegars, in place to prevent damage or major spills. Separating items like spices and liquids from non-perishables gives you a clear idea of what needs specialized attention, making the entire packing process safer and more efficient.
- Adhere to the one-year rule for spices; if you haven’t used a spice in a year, it’s time to throw it out.
- Transfer bulk dry goods into sturdy plastic storage containers or kitchen canisters and keep them tightly sealed.
- Place small, delicate items like spice jars into a small, clearly labeled box, or use them to fill gaps in larger boxes.
- For oils, vinegars, or that unopened jar of condiments you bought from abroad, you just can’t part with, place the bottles inside a zip-top bag before packing to contain any potential spills.
4. Tossing or Donating Food
Finalizing what to throw away or donate prevents you from packing food you don’t want to bother moving and reduces clutter. This ultimately saves you time and reduces moving expenses. Decide which food items to keep, eat, or give away as part of your moving plan.
- For expired, moldy, and buggy goods, throw them in the trash.
- Donate sealed, non-perishable food items to local food banks or soup kitchens in your community before you leave.
- Give away any partially used or open goods to friends, family, or neighbors.
- Make arrangements for donation at least one month before moving, or look into specific donation services offered by your moving company.
Phase Two: Use Clean Packing Materials and Pack Boxes Strategically
The second phase protects the integrity of your food items during transit by preventing contamination and breakage. Following these strategic packing guidelines, whether you do it yourself or hire professional services, keeps your pantry goods properly secured for safe relocation to your new home.
1. Investing in Proper Food Storage Containers
When learning how to pack food for moving, investing in plastic food containers is a good idea. They help keep food fresh, prevent pests from getting to food. It’s also easier to see when you’re running low on supplies.
During the move, plastic containers can prevent spills, and they give you peace of mind that you’re not going to find a box full of bugs when you unpack. Plastic moving containers provide more support and protection for your perishables.
Even if you decide not to use food containers, a few plastic containers will keep food from getting wet and minimize the risk of pests ruining what you’ve packed up. Plastic packing containers are also a more eco-friendly packing option, so that’s a plus!
2. Following Proper Packing Techniques for Dry Goods
With these packing techniques, you can prevent boxes from collapsing, making sure non-perishable food items arrive safely and intact at your new home. Moving properly packed boxes also protects your back from injury and makes the entire move more efficient.
- Use a small or medium-sized box for canned goods, as heavier contents can quickly become a liability for your back.
- Pack heavy items, such as large cans and bags of rice, at the bottom of the box, then place lighter items, like small cans or pasta boxes, at the top to maintain balance.
- Maximize stability by removing large gaps between items. Don’t bother with any filler or packing material for the box if it’s tightly packed.
- Check the weight. Remove some items if you can’t comfortably lift the box.
- For long-distance moves, pack only the items you definitely plan to use soon.
Our skilled moving team can utilize space and keep the weight manageable, so you don’t have to worry about the heavy lifting!
3. Sealing Oils, Spices, and Condiments Before Putting Them Inside Boxes
The correct packing of oils, spices, and condiments prevents messy leaks and damage, which means they arrive securely and ready for immediate use. Using a layered approach to sealing and cushioning these items is the best defense against spills.
- For bottles like oils and condiments, first secure the lid with plastic wrap to make a tighter seal.
- Place the sealed item inside a regular plastic bag, such as a sturdy zip-top plastic bag or even an old bread bag, to contain any potential leaks.
- Next, wrap the bagged item in bubble wrap, or use a soft item like a towel or article of clothing for extra cushioning and protection.
- Position the wrapped item right-side up in the box, making sure to snuggle it tightly among the surrounding items.
- Pack items in a small, separate, and clearly labeled box to keep them organized and easily identifiable.
4. Packing Goods in Glass Containers Separately
Items like glass jars of food spreads, pickled fruits, and even drinks fall into the category of things that break easily and can contaminate other goods. This dedicated packing approach uses protective layers to cushion fragile glass, safeguarding your valuables and preventing a disastrous mess in transit.
- Begin by lining the bottom of the box with a soft, thick layer, such as a towel, blanket, or coat, for maximum shock absorption.
- Use packing paper to individually wrap each glass container, such as jars of baking ingredients or bottles of drinks.
- Put plates, bowls, and other dishware on top of the initial cushioning layer, being careful to pack them snugly together without forcing or cramming them.
- Utilize soft linens, like towels or clothing (puffy coats work well in large boxes), as cost-effective and sustainable packing materials.
- Place light items like bags of grains, cereals, or rice around the edges of the box as supplementary padding.
- Cover the stacked items with more towels or clothing, working the material around the edges to minimize any movement and secure the contents.
5. Labeling Boxes Clearly
Clearly labeling every box is the final step to promote a smooth unpacking and easily identify critical contents. This makes it simple to find something to eat immediately upon arrival. Proper labels also help moving crews handle boxes safely and quickly locate important items, such as your dishes or items you still need to use in the days leading up to moving day.
- Clearly mark boxes containing perishables or fragile items with “Fragile” and “This Side Up”.
- Create a “Kitchen Utensils” or “Open First” label for your first-night dishes.
- Write down a detailed list of contents on at least two sides of the box, like “Heavy Canned Food”.
- Use color-coded tape or stickers corresponding to the specific area in your new home where the box belongs (like green for the pantry cabinet or yellow for the freezer).
- Make a specific label for things to be given away, such as “Canned Food for Local Food Bank” or “Freezer Meals for the Neighborhood”, so they don’t accidentally get moved.
- Label a box with “Last Out/First In” for the necessary items you still need to use or for the first night in your new place.
What Are Things to Avoid When Packing and Moving Pantry Items?
Common packing mistakes can create a mess, leading to ruined food, broken containers, and a stressful unpacking experience. Remember these packing pitfalls to avoid costly damages and keep your things safe during the move.
1. Leaving Food in Open Boxes
This is the biggest no-no in pantry packing. Just because something is packed up in a box doesn’t mean that critters can’t sniff it out. Next thing you know, you’ve brought leftovers along with a colony of ants or a few mice into your new home.
2. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Pack
Unlike the fridge, you’ve got a little leeway on when you can start packing up food from the pantry. Give yourself at least a couple of days to get it done so your last-minute focus can be on the fridge, the remaining kitchen supplies, and the bathrooms.
3. Forgetting to Ask Your Moving Team About Restricted Items in a Moving Truck
Many perishable items aren’t allowed in a moving truck. If it’s an unopened canned good, you may be good, although other things that easily get spoiled won’t likely be allowed on the truck. Most moving services will accommodate as much as possible, but it’s important to consider if your pantry goods can harm other things (and even the crew).
4. Combining Food Items, Kitchen Tools, and Appliances in Boxes
Avoid mixing perishable or delicate food items with bulky or sharp objects. For example, combining canned soups, plates, and a loose knife in the same container may cause damage or injury. Don’t pack appliances with your pantry goods, as these require specialized wrapping and can crush lighter food boxes during transit.
5. Packing Without Considering Cost First
Is it going to cost you more or be more work than it’s worth to pack food items up rather than simply donate them or give them away? Carefully consider if packing certain things up is worth the hassle if they’re relatively affordable to replace.
Related Questions
What Is the Hardest Room to Pack When Moving?
The kitchen is widely considered the hardest room to pack when moving due to the sheer number of items it holds, many of which are fragile. It contains unique items like oddly-shaped tools, glassware, sharp knife sets, and bulky pots that require special care and organization.
How Far in Advance Should You Start Packing Before Moving?
You should start packing at least four to six weeks before your moving day for an efficient and stress-free experience. Begin by gradually packing items per area of your home, especially items you may not need in the days leading up to the move. Use this time to declutter your belongings as you go.
How to Wrap Kitchen Stuff for Moving Day?
To wrap kitchen stuff for moving day, use packing paper and bubble wrap to individually wrap fragile items like dishes, glasses, and pots. For plates, cover each one separately, then stack them vertically in a box with a cushioned bottom. Secure them by filling any gaps with crumpled paper before sealing the box and labeling it “fragile”.
How Many Boxes Do I Need to Pack a Kitchen?
Most average-sized kitchens need around 15 to 25 medium-sized boxes, although the final count truly depends on your pantry and kitchen space. You also need to consider the quantity of your belongings. A good starting point is five small, 10 medium, and five large boxes, plus a few extra-large and specialty boxes for particularly fragile items.
Conclusion
With these tips, you’ll arrive at your new home with your pantry items intact and ready to unpack. Our comprehensive packing and transporting services will save you money and stress during your long or short-distance relocation. Let the moving experts at Square Cow Movers get your pantry loaded up in our trucks and over to your new home in time for dinner!