Are you wondering how to pack electronics for moving? As you already know, those belongings are delicate and easily breakable, and more often than not, expensive. If you have a favorite stereo, TV, computer, or a laptop, you should know which materials to use in the right way to protect them and avoid a loss that would put a damper on a relocation experience.
We’d like to show you how to best protect these precious items in a few easy steps and safely relocate them to your new home. From the necessary materials and proper packing techniques to a few handy tips – we’ve covered all the bases for you.
How to Pack Electronics for Moving If You Have Original Boxes
When preparing your belongings for relocation, try to find their original packaging. That way, they will be put in containers that are specially designed for storing them. Also, original containers have pre-shaped foam pieces that are shaped to prevent objects from shifting during the move. Even if you have original boxes, closing them properly is an essential step in keeping the items inside safe.
Original containers are the best option for protecting your belongings.
Get the Appropriate Packing Materials
When pulling off a DIY move, without the help of movers, you might want to know how much does packing cost? The answer would depend on a variety of factors, starting with the number of supplies you are going to need. Make a moving out list and write down all the things you should box up. When you have it all on paper, it will be easier to figure out how many containers and other materials you need to prepare them for a safe trip. The list will help you avoid one of the most common mistakes when packing, which is getting boxes in only one size.
The First Step in Packing Is Obtaining Right-Size Boxes
Since electronic devices come in many shapes and sizes, you need to get a variety of containers that will fit them all. That is, if you don’t have the original packaging. If you can, find ticker cartons because they make a great barrier between your items and outside factors. Besides, containers should have enough extra room that can be filled with padding materials like packing peanut, paper, and bubble wrap.
One of the Tips on How to Pack Electronics for Moving Is to Invest in Anti-Static Bubble Wrap
Protecting your valuable and easily breakable objects should be your top priority; that’s why you should get as much anti-static bubble wrap as you can.
Anti-static properties of this material prevent the buildup of static electricity and thus protect the wrapped belongings. It comes with more than a few benefits:
- It is affordable
- It’s efficient in eliminating the threat of static electricity
- Protects objects from external threats
- It is non-abrasive, meaning it won’t leave marks on delicate areas
Getting the right materials is one of the essential tips.
Use Bubble Wrap and Protect Every Sensitive Electronic Element, Including Monitors and Screens
If you are not using professional packing services, you will need to pay close attention to delicate items you have. Computer monitors and TV screens are as fragile as an electronic item can get. One bump on the road can lead to broken pieces and dead pixels. That’s why you should use more than one layer of bubble wrap to protect them. Also, fill in empty space in the box with other padding materials. And remember, your items should stay protected throughout the whole relocation.
Keep in Mind That Things Should Be Protected Through the Whole Relocation Process
There are a lot of phases in the relocation process, and getting your things from the old to the new home will take some time. When you are packing your stuff, think about every step of the way – from loading into the truck, the trip to unloading to the storage, or your home. Each additional layer you put around your belongings is another level of protection you are adding. Don’t save up on the materials, and you won’t have any broken electronics when you finally settle down.
Bubble wrap will protect belongings while they are being transported to storage or your home.
Remove Any Temperature-Sensitive Parts
Electronics are sensitive to extreme temperatures and abrupt changes, which can lead to damage to your belongings. To avoid that kind of scenario, consider these few tips before you pack your things:
- Ink cartridges and toners should be removed before you pack a laser or ink printer. When you take them out, put the cartridges inside plastic dust-proof bags.
- Batteries should be removed from all devices and remote controllers. The main reason why you should take out batteries because they might leak when transported.
Removing temperature-sensitive parts will save you from the unpleasant experience of cleaning the color from spilled cartridges or whipping off the battery leakage. Also, if you hired professional movers to relocate your belongings, make sure that their storage is climate controlled so that your items are not exposed to extreme temperatures while waiting to be shipped to your new home.
Printer cartridges can create a mess if you don’t remove them.
Detach All Mobile Parts of a Computer
When preparing your computer for the relocation, make sure you check if there are CDs in it. Take them out, and put them with other disks. Also, detach all the movable parts like keyboards, mouse, and mics. If you have a gaming console, make sure you unplug joysticks and other additional parts before putting it in the box. Detached items should also be wrapped and placed separately.
Joysticks and other mobile parts should be put separately.
Organize Cords and Remotes
Once you are done with detaching everything, you are left with a pile of cables. To avoid a chaotic unpacking, you should organize your wires and cables, so you know exactly to which electronic element they belong to.
One of the best tips when it comes to organizing cables and wires is – use colored tape and stickers to mark where your items go. Also, if you’re not exactly a tech-savvy person, snap a photo of the way your cables were connected to the device before you unplug them. That way, you will know how to put everything back when the relocation is over.
When it comes to remote controllers, put a sticker on them that shows which appliance they belong to. Don’t make the common mistake of putting all of your remote controls, wires, and cables in one box with other small accessories. Keep them in a place with the matching electronic units.
Don’t mix up your remote controllers.
Label Everything the Right Way
Yes, you packed everything. All the bits and pieces are safely tucked away in boxes filled with ample padding material. Now it is time to take out markers and stickers and label everything the right way.
Start by writing down “FRAGILE” on the top and the sides of boxes. That way, your movers or anybody handling your belongings will know to be extra careful no matter if they are just loading things into trucks or taking them to the storage. Another useful tip would be to avoid writing down the exact content of boxes filled with expensive equipment. That way, you’ll minimize the risk of theft at some point in the relocation process.
Add some color-coded instructions so that you know where everything goes when you finally start unpacking. Labeling adds up to the safety of your belongings but also to the successful management of the whole process.
