Given the fact we are living in the Golden Age of technology, odds are high that any move you make in the near future will involve the packing and transporting of more than a few electronic items. From televisions and gaming units to laptops and computers, knowing the right way to pack and move your electronics is critical in ensuring everything arrives at the new location safely.
As one of Sydney’s top removalist teams, we want to make sure that happens, so we’ve gathered some of our top tips for packing and moving your electronics.
Let’s take a look!
1. If You Saved Product Manuals, Pull Them Out
If you had a mum who insisted you save all the product manuals for your electronics because “you never know when you’ll need them”, give her a kiss on the cheek and pull those bad boys out. Most manuals include the manufacturers’ advice for how to pack and store their products. Follow those instructions..and call you mum to thank her for always knowing what’s best.
If you’re like the other 99% of us who threw the manual out with the box and packing materials, have no fear. Because we’re living in the Golden Age of technology, most manuals are available online via a quick Google search or on the manufacturer’s website.
2. Use the Original Packing If You Have It
If you saved the original box and Styrofoam for your items, use that to pack your electronics. You won’t find anything that will offer better protection than the original packaging.
3. Gather Important Packing Supplies
Make sure you have the following packing supplies on hand: heavy-duty cardboard boxes (if you’re packing flat-screen televisions they make boxes specifically for tv’s), packing paper, bubble wrap, scissors, tape, colored dot stickers, zip-close baggies, and markers for labeling.
4. Do a Little Pre-Packing Prep
Before you start packing, remove batteries from any electronics that require them. You can place them in a baggie and either tape them to the device or place them in the box once you start packing. Charge any rechargeable batteries or devices a day or two before the move and remove toner/ink cartridges from printers.
5. Label Cords and Devices
It is easy to become lost in a sea of cords with no idea which cable belongs with which device. Save yourself the frustration by labeling everything before you unplug anything. Grab a sheet of those colored-dot stickers and place one on the device and another (of the same color) on every cord coming out of it. Then you can start removing cords, winding them up and placing them in zipper bags. The dots will make it easy to pair each device with its’ cords after the move.
Pro tip: If you want to be just a little more extra, take a picture of the cable set up for each device before you unplug things. You’ll be amazed how much easier it is to set everything up when you have a photo of how it is supposed to look.
6. Pack Up Your Electronics
When it comes to packing electronics, there’s no such thing as too much padding. Add a generous layer of bubble wrap to the bottom of your empty box. Wrap your electronics in bubble wrap as well, making sure to completely cover any screens (never use paper against screens as it can cause scratches). Fill all empty space inside the box with bubble wrap or padding until your electronic items are secure and unable to shift in the box. Add enough padding to fill the top of the box, then tape it closed and clearly label the box with its contents.
7. Identify Boxes with Electronics for Your Removalist Team
Be sure to add the words “FRAGILE” and “THIS END UP” with an arrow to notify your removalist team to take care. When your movers arrive, have your electronics and other fragile items grouped together. This will help your team to know how much space in the truck to reserve for delicate items. They will make sure your electronics are placed on top of less fragile items and are properly secured for transport.
8. Unpack Carefully
Our best advice is this—unpack one box of electronics at a time. This will reduce the risk of mixing up cords and cables.
Unpack boxes carefully and check them to make sure no small screws or caps came dislodged during transport. Once you’ve got one item fully reconnected, move on to the next.
We hope this list of tips is helpful the next time you must move electronic equipment. And, if you’re looking for an experienced, reliable team of removalists in Sydney who can safely move your electronics (and anything else), we hope you’ll contact us at Holloway Removals. Our friendly staff will draw up a custom quote including everything you need and nothing you don’t.
You can rest assured we’ll move you the right way…with Holloway.