Any move comes with its share of stress, but moving an entire office can at…
Since the shift of the century, electronic gadgets have started to take up more space in our house. We don’t usually realize we have as many gadgets as we do until it’s time to move. Keeping your home healthy and clean is one thing, but packing is another entirely.
Electronics are usually expensive, fragile, and sensitive to temperature. You need to make sure they are packed properly and can withstand the trip to your new home without breaking. The key to moving all your electronics is preparation, so check out our tips below to pack and move your electronics efficiently.
1. Check if You Have The Gadget’s Original Packaging
Regardless of the type of gadget you want to pack, the original packaging is always the best choice. Original packages are custom-made to fit your device to perfection and usually, comes with cardboard and bubble wrap to protect it during the trip. It makes sense – manufacturers have to package electronics so they can be shipped worldwide, and they have to make sure the gadget remains safe no matter what!
2. Use Bubble Wrap, Blankets, and Towels to Protect Your Gadgets
When it comes to moving without original packaging (and if we’re honest, most of us are in this boat, right?), it all comes down to lots of wrapping. Thick blankets and towels work wonders to protect gadgets — and are freely available from your own closet. You can even purchase specific wrapping paper and bubble wrap designed for electronic transportation.
But don’t just stop at the soft wrapping – items with screens should be placed in a hard surfaced container (box, bin, cardboard or hard plastic sheeting). If something falls during your move onto a screen surface, even three feet of down comforters and old towels isn’t necessarily going to be adequate protection.
3. Make a List of All Accessories and Components
Some gadgets, like tablets and laptops, only have a few accessories, if any. However, desktop computers, gaming consoles, entertainment systems, sound equipment — they all have additional accessories. Without these, your electronic device will probably be useless. Well, at least until you get a new replacement for the accessory you lost. To avoid the hassle, make a list of all the electronics you are packing, and the number of accessories/name of the accessory that goes with it. Then (and here’s the key component) pack them all together. Put the accessories in the same box, or tape them to the packaging on the main piece of gear, or place them in a clearly marked box with other similar supplies.
Trust us – the last thing you want on your first night crashing onto your couch to finally sit and watch some Netflix is to realize you have no idea where the remote is.
4. Climate Check and Placement
High-humidity, heat, and other climate factors can damage electronics. In order to keep your technology safe, you will have to pack it carefully and place them in a safe part of your moving truck that’s far away from the door and the walls. If you’re moving yourself, check out the ceiling of your moving van for holes and cracks (it happens – moving vans take a lot of beatings). If you’re moving with a professional moving team, you won’t need to worry about that.
5. Getting into the Specifics – 5 Most Popular Electronic Devices
Electronic gadgets are found in all homes across the PNW, and we are very familiar with packing and moving all of them. Here are packing tips to help secure the most basic home electronics:
Desktop Computers
Desktop computers have three main parts:
- Monitor screen,
- CPU
- Mouse/keyboard.
First off, use individual sturdy boxes for each part, and get plenty of wrapping paper or bubble wrap. Place the CPU inside the first box, after you have wrapped it repeatedly with protective material. If your monitor is big, it may pay off to simple wrap it in protective material and take it in your own vehicle. If not, find a box that fits your screen (this may be a bit tricky!). If possible, place the keyboard and mouse with other electronic accessories, and label them appropriately.
Video Games
Unplug your console from your TV set, and pack all the accessories in one clearly labeled box or bag. Use tape to label each wire for easy reassembly. Place your main console in a box alone (wrap it once in protective material first to protect the screen from any scratches). Keep all your games, cords, and controllers in one box and label it clearly. Try to pack these two boxes near to each other in your moving truck.
Televisions
TVs are fragile too, so put loads of newspaper or bubble wrap in its box (don’t forget to wrap it too) and place it inside. You may have many accessories, but the only one you should pack the TV with is the power cable. All other accessories can be placed in a separate box and labeled. You don’t want to risk any scratches or dents to your screen.
Stereo Equipment
Stereo equipment is expensive, but often is designed with frequent moving in mind. Wrap the stereo system in newspaper and bubble wrap, and if possible, find a box that fits both speakers and the central audio unit. This will prevent bouncing around and will keep your entire sound system in one place. Label your box to clearly show which side should go up.
Tablets
Although many people make a big fuss of packing tablets, you may be better off keeping them close to you. They don’t take up a lot of space and are very fragile. If you have a small tablet, you can keep it in your purse or backpack. If you happen to have a bigger tablet, you may want to place your tablet in your suitcase rather than in a box of it own.
Stay tuned for more tips on packing your home for an efficient move. If you need to hire professional moving services, contact On The Go Moving and Storage today!
