3 Ways to Pack Spices For Moving

Packing a kitchen is the most challenging aspect of moving house! After the garage, of course.

Packing kitchenware including dishes, knives, glassware, and the lot uses up our time, energy, and money when moving. It’s still an overwhelming process even when you hire a moving company.

Kitchen spices are a part of the vast items you need to move in your kitchen.

Let’s get right to it!

General Procedure for Packing Spices for Moving

Like packing dishes, there’s a general procedure to pack spices for moving and actions to take before wrapping and taping.

Access your Pantry

Decluttering before packing means you’ll save time wrapping items you no longer want or need. Set apart the pantry items (herbs, spices, ingredients, condiments, seasoning, oils, etc.) you’re moving to your new home.

Although the expiry date of dried herbs and spices isn’t set in stone, it’s obvious. Sour spice loses most of its flavor, potency, and color. The #1 rule for using spices is the one-year rule, which says it’s okay to dispose of your seasonings after 1-2 years of purchase.

Before moving, you can use up or give away near-empty spices. But make sure you keep the jars, glass and plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, and other packaging materials. Wash and dry them properly. Recycling saves money and the environment.

Related: How to Pack Kitchen for Moving

Purchase Packing Supplies

You’ll need these moving supplies to pack your spices:

Cardboard boxes
Ziploc bags
Plastic box
Packing paper
Plastic wrap
Tissue paper
Bubble wrap
Scotch tape
Permanent marker

Wrap your Spices

Unused spice containers don’t need any sealing, just wrapping. Open packages, however, stand the risk of spilling and the elements.

How to seal spices for moving:

Screw all lids tight
Wrap spice containers and sealed packages in plastic wrap
Seal any opened packages with tape
Cut packing paper and place it inside the lid, then over the bottle. This is the surest way to keep a jar airtight
Wrap glass jars and bottles first in a bubble, then packing paper, and secure the piece with tape

In addition, preserving spices in vacuum bags or jars will maintain their flavor and freshness longer.

Pack your Spices

Storing your spices and herbs in cool, dark places will extend their shelf life, but you’ll regret packing them incorrectly.

Your spice-packing friends for a move include cardboard boxes, pots and stock pots, plastic bags, food storage containers, and Ziploc bags. They’re your best bet for protecting bottles, jars, and whatever packages your spices come in.

Once you’ve sorted your spices and purchased packing supplies, the next step is packing the spices for moving.

Related: 50 Moving Tips and Hacks

3 Ways to Pack Spices for Moving

Packing your pantry is one aspect of packing edibles, and spices fall in this pantry category. Some spices may be hard to find in your new locality; others are too costly to replace. Therefore, it makes sense to know how to pack spices for moving.

Here are three proven ways to pack spices for moving:

Pack your Spices in a Cardboard Box or Spice Stack

After wrapping your spice containers, it’s time to get them to safety.

There are different moving materials for spices, of which cardboard boxes are the most common.

Here’s how to prepare a cardboard box for moving:

Get a sturdy box and tape it up real good.
Line the box’s bottom with enough crumpled paper to form a five-inch cushion.
Line the insides of the box with thick clothing.

After loading the spices in the box:

Stuff bubble wrap and tissue paper in free spaces in the box to remove leeways.
Stack reasonable amounts of crumpled paper and a few pieces of clothing to the top of the box.
Close the box and tape its flaps.
Use a marker to note the “TOP” of the box; label the box “FRAGILE” with either a marker or sticker.

Expert Tip:

Ben Walters, proprietor of North Market Spices: Spices are best stored in plastic bags that remove excess air and help a better organization. Walters says, “I keep my spice bags in a couple of wire baskets that I thumb through like a filing cabinet.”

Pack Fragile Items in a Ziploc Bag

Ziploc bags aren’t only helpful in packing sandwiches and jewelry, they’re also used to protect spice containers.

Spice dispensers like salt shakers or pepper shakers are breakable and must be handled carefully. Cover the top with tissue paper and secure it with tape. Then wrap the dispensers in packing paper; again, seal off with tape.

Once fully wrapped, place them in Ziploc bags and seal them shut. Even if there’s an accident in transit, your contents will not spill, unlike regular paper bags.

Pack your Spices in Cookware: Dutch Ovens, Stockpots, and Crock Pots

Special cooking pots serve as an alternative to boxes and bags. Using this cookware to pack spices is a win-win situation. Pots save space, safeguard your spices, and end up getting moved.

Follow the steps below:

Cushion the bottom of the pot with crumpled packing paper or tissue paper pieces.
Place as many wrapped spices as would fit in the cookware.
Fill extra spaces with crumpled paper.
Stuff crumpled paper on the top of the pot and cover it with its lid.
Wrap the pot with several sheets of packing paper and secure the mass with tape.
Place the pot in a larger cardboard box.
Label the box as ‘Kitchen: Pots & Pans and Spices.’

Seasoned Tips for Packing Spices for Moving

Keep a soft piece of clothing between each bottle to keep them from rattling during transit.
Stuff socks and crumpled packing paper in crevices in the packing medium to remove any wiggle room in the box.
Spices draw pests and insects. Don’t pack spices around clothing or furniture. It’s best to pack them with other kitchenware.
When unpacking spices, please keep them in a dark spot.
Store spices in airtight containers like glass jars, metal times, and sealed cardboard boxes.
Keep spices away from moisture; don’t turn bottles directly over a steaming pot; don’t dip wet spoons in a spice jar.
Store spices away from heat. Keep the spice box in the coolest part of the truck when moving.
Label the contents, ‘TOP,’ ‘Kitchen: Spices & Herbs.’

You should have no problem moving your spices since there are no specific laws for cross-country moving. If they’re dried and well-packed, you’ll have no problem.

But you should confirm with the Food Standards Agency about any health or food restrictions on herbs, spices, seasoning, additives, and packaging.

Home sweet home! Now that you’ve successfully moved your seasonings, how about a home-cooked meal to reward yourself for your labors?