Is packing up your kitchen the most time-consuming part of moving house? Just think about all the individual items that need to be gotten ready, packed or thrown away. The time involved means that this is the room you will need to get started with well in advance of moving. It's said the kitchen can be the heart of a home, and this heart needs due care. So what are some of the things you'll need to know to efficiently pack the contents of your kitchen?

Dump

In the days prior to moving, you'll need to use up your remaining food as much as possible. Any leftover food waste can be composted, and if you weren't planning to leave a fresh pile of slowly composting refuse for the new residents, ask your neighbours if they're interested in a fresh addition to their own compost bins. Any food in containers that has expired or is close to expiring can be opened and composted with its packaging recycled. Unopened food that is still edible can be given away since it's not really worth sacrificing the space required in the removalists' van to transport things which can be so easily replaced.

Pack

The sheer number of individual items contained within the average kitchen can be a little daunting. Just think of all the pieces of crockery, cutlery and cookware that needs to be packed and the fact that many of these items can be heavy when accumulated in a packing box. All packing boxes need to be reinforced with packing tape, or you might want to opt for wooden crates with these heavier items. Ask your removalists if they have anything suitable. Your crockery will require padding so you can double up your packing efforts. Wrap plates, bowls, mugs, glasses and anything fragile in clothing before it goes into the box. It can be easier to wrap a plate in a shirt than in newspaper or bubble wrap, and it means the clothing is also packed at the same time.

Prepare

One key appliance (your oven) will be left behind, but those appliances travelling with you will need to be prepared. Unplug your fridge and freezer a day before they're to be moved so that they can defrost. Leave the doors open to speed this process up, and place old towels inside to catch the water as it melts. You could also take this opportunity to pull the unit out from the wall in order to brush its evaporator coils.

It's easy to underestimate the amount of effort needed to properly pack up your kitchen, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time.