How You Should Be Packing Your Dishes for Storage
Properly packing your dishes for storage is essential to ensure they remain in good condition and ready to use when you retrieve them. Whether you're storing plastic, glass, or silverware, the right packing techniques can prevent breakage, warping, and damage over time.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps for packing your dishes for storage, as well as how to care for them once they're there. And if you're looking for a secure and climate-controlled storage solution, don't forget to check out Midgard Self Storage at the end of this article.
Packing Plastic Dishes for Storage
Clean and Dry: Start by cleaning your plastic dishes thoroughly and allowing them to dry completely. Ensure there's no food residue or moisture left on them, as this can lead to mold or odors in storage.
Stack Carefully: Stack plastic dishes, placing a layer of paper towels or soft cloth between each item to prevent scratches and sticking. Avoid stacking too high to prevent warping.
Use Plastic Bins: Store your plastic dishes in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids. These bins protect your dishes from dust and moisture, ensuring they stay in good condition.
Label Clearly: Label the bins with their contents to easily identify what's inside when you need to retrieve them.
Packing Glass Dishes for Storage
Wrap Individually: Each glass dish should be wrapped individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. Pay extra attention to the edges and handles, as they are more vulnerable to damage.
Nest When Possible: Nest glass dishes of the same shape or size together to save space and prevent movement during storage. Use a soft cloth or paper towel between nested items for added protection.
Choose Sturdy Boxes: Place your wrapped glass dishes in sturdy boxes with dividers or cell kits specifically designed for glassware. This minimizes the risk of breakage during transportation and storage.
Cushion with Packing Material: Fill any gaps in the boxes with additional packing material (like packing peanuts or extra paper) to prevent shifting and breakage.
Packing Silverware for Storage
Clean and Dry: Ensure your silverware is completely clean and dry before packing. Storing dirty silverware can lead to tarnishing over time.
Wrap Carefully: Individually wrap each piece of silverware in acid-free tissue paper or anti-tarnish cloth. This helps prevent tarnish and scratching during storage.
Choose Lined Boxes: Place your wrapped silverware in boxes lined with felt or cloth. Avoid using newspaper or regular cardboard, as they can cause tarnishing.
Label Boxes: Clearly label the boxes to indicate their contents, making it easy to identify and access your silverware later.
Caring for Dishes After Storage
Unpack with Care: When retrieving your dishes from storage, unpack them carefully to avoid damage. Remove wrapping and inspect for any signs of damage or deterioration.
Clean and Polish: Clean glass dishes and silverware with mild soap and water, and use appropriate cleaning products to remove tarnish from silverware. Plastic dishes can be washed with warm, soapy water.
Store in a Controlled Environment: Consider storing your dishes in a climate-controlled environment to prevent extreme temperature fluctuations that can damage glass or silverware.
These are all the best tips for packing dishes for storage! If you're looking for a secure and climate-controlled storage solution for your dishes and other valuables, consider Midgard Self Storage.
Our facilities offer the ideal conditions to protect your belongings during long-term storage. Contact us today to find the perfect storage unit for your needs and keep your dishes in excellent condition for years to come.