Have you been struggling with the packing process recently? You have given it your best, but you still don’t have a clue how to pack electronics for moving? This is an integral part of your household, and you want to make sure TV sets, computers, printers, digital projectors, stereo systems, cartridges, and other gadgets are safely packed for the upcoming relocation. Why should you purchase new devices when these can serve you for years to come?
With the wide range of tips we have in store for you, your worthy items will be safe and ready to be used again in your new home. These are the hand-picked tips for your packing success.
Back up Important Files and Documents from All Electronic Devices
When you organize the shipping process, you have to be prepared for any damage. There is nothing you can do if something happens during the transit – all your important information will be lost. If you act a few steps ahead and back up all irreplaceable computer files to an external hard drive, you won’t have a reason to worry. There are also some online storing options in case you don’t want an external drive. You can use Google Drive or Dropbox, for example.
Photograph and Record All the Cables and Connections from Your Electronics
This tip will save you loads of time once you start unloading everything and connecting your devices. It is frustrating to untangle cords and wires and fail to figure out the device they belong to. To prevent that from happening, we suggest you take a photo of the way cables are set up. Photograph all of them and make sure you catch the starting point of the cable and the device it goes in. You can also label them. Another alternative would be to use color stickers. You know what they say – a picture is worth a thousand words.
Ensure You Have the Right Boxes for All Your Electronic Items
If you kept the original boxes of your gadgets, those will come in handy when you prepare for the move. If this is not the case, you will have to get moving boxes that are sturdy enough to hold your gadgets. Make sure they are slightly bigger than your items. Wrap the gadgets first with bubble wrap and then pack them into boxes. With careful padding, you won’t have a reason to worry.
Extend the Duration of Your Electronics by Removing Batteries
Before packing items, make sure you remove the batteries and wrap them separately. Pay special attention to remotes or any other accessories since battery corrosion can completely wreck your gadgets. Battery acid appears as a white powder – this can cause severe damage to your items.
Crucial Step – Add Silica Gel to the Moving Box
Make sure you pack silica gel pouches inside the boxes. This substance is great for absorbing and holding water vapor. It will capture the excess moisture before it catches on the metal components. Condensation can be detrimental for electronic devices, which is why silica gel is important, especially if you’re planning on keeping your items in a storage unit.
Label and separate the boxes.
Tips on How to Pack Electronics for Moving – Label Your Boxes
After you put everything inside the boxes and you shut them, make sure you label the box as well. This will help you a lot when you start unpacking everything. You might spend a few minutes more labeling the boxes, but in the long run, it is worthwhile. You don’t have to list the contents of the entire box, but you can write down the most important information on it.
Store Electronics in a Climate-Controlled Environment
Your gadgets can be highly sensitive to temperature changes. If you are moving in winter, your computers can suffer from the extreme cold. It does not get better with the summer season – the sun can damage your screen to a great extent. So what should you do?
If you decide to store your items, make sure you choose a climate-controlled storage unit. During the shipping process, you have to make sure the boxes are protected from temperature variations. Before you start placing your items in storage or loading them into the truck, check if the temperature is right.
Protect Your Items by Removing Wires and Accessories
Before you store gadgets, make sure all the peripherals are detached. Even though you think that leaving your items connected will be a time-saver, this can be a huge problem, and you might also damage some components. It’s better to remove all the wires and connect everything again once you move to your new home. If you have a printer, eject the cartridges.
Take out Any Loose Media from Your Electronics Before You Pack Them for Storage
Don’t forget to check if any removable media is still in your gadgets. DVD’s, tapes, cartridges, or anything else has to be taken out. Over time, the media deforms inside the device and may even render it useless.
Always keep your goods protected.
Get Your Electronics and Other Related Items Insured
If you are moving components worth thousands of dollars, you might want to get additional insurance along with moving services. Even if you do everything right, sometimes you cannot control the outcome of the moving process – better safe than sorry. Check some of the best insurance deals and have the most expensive gadgets protected additionally.
Unpack box by box.
Ensure Your Electronic Items Are Unpacked Safely
Unpacking everything safely in your new home is just as important as the packing process itself. In case you decided not to hire professional packing and unpacking services, you have to do it step by step and follow the basic guidelines:
– Take the items slowly out of the boxes, making sure the cables are taken out as well
– If you have them labeled and photographed, reconnecting them should not be an issue. In case you face some difficulties, it’s better to call the service center than to mess something up.
– Once you set up a device, check if it’s working and then move to the next one.
