If you’re a last-minute, throw-everything-in-boxes type of mover, you may notice a pattern of broken items whenever you move to a new place. Sometimes, there’s no harm in the “throw-it-in-a-box” method, but it’s important not to implement this strategy for all your items — especially your most fragile and expensive ones, such as electronics.
Electronics require a little extra TLC when packing them for their voyage to their new desktop, living room, bedroom, or office. One drop by you, a hired helper, a friend, or a delivery person can mean a broken TV, computer, or game console. And guess what? A drop is inevitable during the hustle and bustle of moving. That’s why it’s important to pack these items securely so they’ll be OK if someone accidentally drops them or they fall. Here are nine tips for packing electronics to help your long distance movers get everything safely to your destination and reduce your stress.
1. Back it Up
A word to the wise: Backup all your essential computer data before packing your computers or putting them in storage. Even though your laptop shouldn’t acquire any damage after reading the rest of our tips, it’s always best to take every precaution. You can’t predict the future, so cover all your bases to give yourself peace of mind. A simple external hard drive can help you keep all your precious files intact.
2. Empty it Out
For those who still use DVD players, remove DVDs from the inside. Take game cartridges out of game consoles, etc. Sitting inside a machine for too long can damage media over time. Do a quick check inside all the electronics before packing them up.
3. Check it for Batteries
After you remove all the media from your electronics, check for and remove batteries from all your remotes and accessories. Battery corrosion is like cancer to electronic components and can completely ruin them. Do a quick battery check.
4. Detach Wires and Accessories
You may see it as a time-saver to keep all wires and accessories attached, or you may keep them connected to prevent mixing up and losing all the parts. While that does make sense, the safer option is to detach all peripherals from your computers and other devices when storing them because prolonged metal-to-metal contact can lead to issues, especially when you can’t control the climate. You know we’re fans of the safe side. So, detach wires and accessories and label boxes or large Ziploc bags to stay organized.
5. Pack it in its Original Box
Pat yourself on the back if you have kept every TV box, computer box, console box, etc., for the last five years. The closet full of cardboard will finally pay off. Original electronic boxes are a perfect fit for the item and contain pre-shaped foam pieces and custom inserts to prevent the item from shifting during shipping, which is precisely your goal. If you have the original packaging, you’re all set.
6. Pack it up in a Different Secure Box
Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have the original box it came in. We know that it’s not realistic to keep every single original electronic package, especially if you’ve lived in the same house for many years and didn’t plan on moving. You can use boxes large enough to hold the electronics with plenty of packing peanuts or styrofoam on all sides.
It’s a good rule of thumb to have at least two inches of packing on all sides of electronics to ensure padding and protection.
7. Protect it From Dust
Make sure to wrap computer monitors, TVs, and other electronic devices that have fans or vents with towels, bubble wrap, or additional protective cover to prevent particles from getting inside.
8. Wrap it With Moving Blankets
Padded moving blankets are a game-changer. You can use them for large electronics that won’t fit in standard moving boxes, such as large flat-screen televisions. Wrap them up in moving blankets and store them against a wall for support. Make sure not to keep large TVs flat or stack anything on them. The pressure can damage the screen, and you may have to prolong that movie night you’re looking forward to in your new home.
9. Store it in a Controlled Climate
Electronic devices and equipment tend to be sensitive to extreme temperatures. Extreme cold causes metal to contract, damaging soldered components. In addition, liquid crystal displays, or LCDs, might freeze in frigid temperatures.
On the other hand, heat can be detrimental to electronics as well. Metal parts can expand in heat, placing stress on soldered connections. Depending on the climate, warm air might be very humid and lethal to electronic devices.
Do what you can to store electronics in a climate-controlled environment, and if they are going to be in a moving truck for an extended period, consider well-insulated boxes and packaging.
Your electronics are expensive, and you use them frequently. Take the time to pack them properly to eliminate costly damage and endless headaches. We hope you’ve learned some helpful tips on packing your electronic devices. If you need a storage and moving company, call us, and we’d be happy to answer all your questions.