How to Move Your Electronics Safely

The last time I moved I packed everything myself. It was all going well until I stood at my husband’s desk where I could see both his flat screen computer monitor and our television. I had no idea how to pack them safely.

We no longer had the original boxes and packaging, which are the best way to transport them, and all of the moving boxes I did have were better designed to hold dishware, books, and the collection of homemade piggy banks covering my office shelf.

So you no longer have to wonder about how to pack your electronics, here are a few tips to help you get them ready to go.

How to Prepare for Packing

1. Grab your phone or camera and take a picture of the back of your TV or computer tower so you have a quick guide to where the cables should all go.
2. Speaking of cables, it’s also helpful to label them so you don’t end up with a large pile of cables that you have to try out to see which ones actually belong to your computer or TV and which ones are spares that don’t actually belong to any electronic device in your house anymore. Electrical tape or painter’s tape are good options for this because they are colourful and come off easily. The main reason you want to label them is that you don’t want to actually store the cords in with the electronic devices. Otherwise, they could move around in the box and damage your TV screen.
3. Clean your TV and computer screen with a soft, dry cloth before you pack them away to remove any dust particles that could scratch the screen.

Packing it Up

As I mentioned the best way to pack a television or computer is in the original packaging. However, if you don’t have that anymore, you can get special moving boxes for flat-screen TVs. To get them, you’ll need to know the size of your screen, which is measured diagonally so you can grab the right box. Just make sure the boxes are double-wall corrugated cardboard to keep your screens safe.

Once you have the bottom of the box taped up, you’ll want to line it with bubble wrap or packing peanuts to cushion the screen when you slide it in. But before you slip the screen into the box, you’ll want to wrap it up with a soft, clean blanket or bubble wrap. Then, once it’s taped up in the box, write “fragile” and “this side up” on the box so no one accidentally places it upside-down in your new home or on the truck.

Technically you don’t need a box for your computer screen because it’s likely under 27”. You can just wrap it in a clean blanket to protect it from rain on the way to your car. But a box will keep it safer, and you won’t worry about scratching your screen every time you drive over a bump.

You can also build your own box. The folks over at www.relocation.com have a video that walks you through the steps to do that.

How to Pack Them In the Truck Safely

If you are packing your own moving truck get a friend to help you move the television even if you think its light enough to move on your own. The shape and size make it a little awkward to carry and you don’t want to risk dropping it. Once it’s on the truck, make sure it’s standing up the right way between sturdy flat surfaces like mattresses and the backs of dressers.

The reason you don’t want to lay your TV screen flat is that doing so it puts extra stress on the screen and which makes it easier for the screen to be damaged if you drive over a speed bump or pothole.

Finally, don’t forget to call your service provider a few weeks before you move to cancel your current service and get it set up in the new place. Otherwise you are going to have lots of quiet, Netflix-free time to unpack your new home while you are waiting for them to have an available appointment slot.

If you follow these simple steps your electronics should make it into your new home without a scratch. so you can start enjoying them (or using them for work) right away. And, as always, if you want help, send us a message and request an estimate today for help moving your electronics.