10 Tips for Storing Your Electronics
Use a plan to pack and store your electronics. You'll thank yourself when it's time to unpack and reassemble.
You've spent years collecting and connecting your stereo components, your TV and your VCR. And if you've
recently reached into your wallet to invest in a DVD player, stereo or other expensive electronic device,
packing is certainly not the time to take shortcuts. Protect your investment and follow these top 10 tips.
1. Follow manufacturers' advice for packing and storing. They know the most about what it takes to protect
the product. Consult the homeowner's manual or manufacturer's Web site for details.
2. If possible, save the original boxes and packing materials for re-packing. Otherwise, you won't find packing
materials that fit as well.
3. If the original packing is not available, start with these essentials: sturdy cartons, newsprint for wrapping
things up, tape, scissors and felt tip markers to number and label each box.
4. When you disassemble electronics, such as computers, stereos and other devices that have numerous
cords, placecsmall colored stickers on each cord and the same color sticker where the cord connects to
the device. This will save you the hassle of trying to figure out what goes where when it comes time to
reassemble your electronics.
5. Sensitive electronics such as computers and TVs may need to be stored in climate-controlled units. Seek
advice from the management of your storage facility.
6. To reduce the chance of attracting unwanted attention from potential thieves, place small expensive items
such as stereo equipment, TVs and camcorders in unmarked boxes. At your storage facility, you can place
these items out of view towards the back of the storage unit.
7. To minimize damage caused by dust inside electronic devices, wrap electronics in linens or clean paper.
8. Seal boxes completely with packing tape to keep out the dust.
9. For further protection, cover electronics with moving pads, sheets or light blankets.
10. Make a list of the components in each box. With luck you'll be putting all this back together — make sure
you've got all the parts before you start assembling.
Storing Your Possessions
Storage can be used for many different reasons. If you're trying to sell your home you may want to free
closets and rooms of extra clutter so that the place shows better. Maybe you have too much furniture for
your new home;the kids have moved out but you can't part with all their childhood memorabilia; you want
to store items for different seasons; you have stacks of documents that you need to keep but don't want
them to take up living space.
No matter what the reason, finding a storage unit is made easy here with our direct link to self-storage
companies located in your area. Within a few minutes you'll know what size storage is available, how much
it will cost and determine which is best for you.
Here are some of the details to check on when you select a unit: what size storage is available, rental cost,
access hours, safety from water and heat damage, risk of insect infestation, secure, adequate room for
parking, and distance from your car/truck to the unit.
Once you've located a storage facility, it's important to plan how best to place your items. Follow these tips
to make your storage experience hassle-free.
Create aisles with box labels facing out.
Don't stack boxes too high so that getting what you need becomes dangerous or overly time consuming.
Make sure that the secure lock on your storage is sturdy.
Get a contact name at the storage facility. The storage manager may also be helpful in giving you instructions on
how to unload your belongings.
Read your agreement for termination and payment regulations.
If you're using a professional mover and have some items dropped off at your storage facility directly, make sure
boxes are clearly marked to avoid confusion.
Packing Guidelines
Box Basics
Use new, high-quality packing materials specifically designed for moving to better ensure your items will safely arrive.
Professional moving cartons come in a variety of shapes and sizes that are specifically suited to fit a variety of household
goods. Look into barrels, for example, as they are great ways of loading a lot of odd-shaped items into one large container.
Other Supplies:
Bundles of packing paper (clean, unprinted newsprint)
Bubble wrap, tissue paper or paper towels for delicate items
Rolls of PVC tape (don't use masking tape or cellophane tape)
Tape dispenser
Broad-tipped markers for labeling
Scissors or sharp knife for cutting cartons
Notebook and pen or pencil for listing contents of cartons as they are packed
Labels or stickers for identifying boxes
Wrapping How Tos
Before packing cartons, you'll need to wrap most items to protect them from scratching and breakage. There are a variety
of materials available, including bubble pack, foam peanuts and tissue.
Start by placing a small stack of paper on a flat, uncluttered table or countertop. Round glasses and jars can be rolled up
in two or three sheets of paper; always begin from a corner of the sheet and fold the sides in as you roll. Large or odd-shaped
items require a similar technique. Place them in the center of the sheet and bring the corners together. (It may be necessary
to flip the item over and wrap it again from the other side.) If in doubt, use more paper! When the corners come together,
secure them with tape.
Before packing each carton, line the bottom with a few inches of wadded paper for padding. Then place large, heavy items
on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on the top. Plates, books and things of a similar shape, should be loaded vertically
to utilize their own maximum structural strength. Don't overload cartons; keep them to a manageable weight. Fill in any voids
and top off loaded cartons with wadded paper.
Labeling Hints
Imagine packing away a truckload of boxes. How can you tell what box goes where? Because you've labeled them.
Follow these tips to thwart confusion:
Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Clearly mark your name, the room it should go to and contents on each box.
Indicate "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS END UP" where appropriate.
If available, include your bill of lading (or invoice) number on every box.
Tips From the Pros
Most movers suggest you start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used infrequently. Leave until the last minute
things you'll need until moving day.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
Pack similar items together. For example, don't pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast-iron frying pans.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items
should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate
items. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a carton.
Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
Use newspapers for cushioning only. The ink can rub off and embed itself onto fine china.
Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
Build up the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top.
As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level
base for the next layer, or use sheets of cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.
Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning.
The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.
Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded
paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
Limit carton weight to about 50 pounds. Avoid overloading cartons but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting;
the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the carton (for easy viewing while stacked) and in a special notebook.
You might want to number and/or code the cartons as well. Indicate the room to which each carton should be delivered at destination.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on cartons you want to unpack first at destination.
Items You Shouldn't Pack
The following items are examples of items that the moving companies, by federal law or internal policy, cannot transport.
Hazardous Materials
(Items that are flammable, corrosive or explosive:)
Aerosols
Ammonia
Ammunition
Car batteries
Charcoal
Charcoal lighter fluid
Chemistry sets
Cleaning solvents
Fertilizer
Fireworks
Gasoline
Kerosene
Lamp oil Liquid bleach
Loaded guns
Matches
Motor oil
Paint thinner
Nail polish remover
Paints
Pesticides
Poisons
Pool chemicals
Propane tanks
Sterno
Weed killer
Perishables
(Food, plants or living things that may die or spoil in transit:)
Frozen foods
Plants
Produce Refrigerated foods
Open or half used foods
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