Of all the things that could get damaged when moving, electronics is high on the list and certainly can cause you the most inconvenience, especially if you rely on your laptop, for example, to work from home. And the kids will be none too impressed if their gaming console is damaged during your home move!

Knowing how to protect, and how to pack electronics for shipping during your home move whether across town or out of state, is a useful home moving skill to have.

So in this post, we will offer you sound advice on how to pack electronics when moving home.

6 Easy Steps for Packing Electronics for Moving

#1 Back Up All Your Electronic Files – Make a copy of any files that you cannot run the risk of losing. Use memory sticks, external data storage, email or internet based secure data storage facilities to keep all your precious files safe. Back them up to two different locations to be sure that they are safe.
#2 Label all the cables and corresponding connections – Color coding the cables and the terminals they connect into with small labels will ensure that you know exactly what goes where. An additional label detailing which device the cables belong to is also advisable. So, you should end up with a colored label at each end of the cable, color-coded with the connectors, and a label stating which device the cable belongs to.
#3 Remove ink cartridges from printers, any batteries, disconnect cables, and bag each components connections together – After labeling all your cables, disconnect them, wrap and then secure with elastic bands or food bag ties to prevent those inevitable tangles. Bag the cables all together so that you know exactly where everything is, but pack them with their respective device so that they do not get mixed up. They can they be safely packed into the moving boxes. Ensure that when in the box they cannot move around and damage the device they are packed with.
#4 Pack devices into manufacturers’ original packing boxes if available – This is the safest way to transport your precious electronics, especially if you have retained the foam protectors that your items were encased in when new.
#5 Assemble packing materials if you do not have the original packing. You will need three-ply cardboard boxes as they are the sturdiest, anti-static bubble wrap, wrapping papers, and sealing tape and marker pens. Have plenty of blankets or paper that you can use to fill any spaces in the packing boxes to stop any movement of the contents whilst they are being moved.

Home Moving Packing Tips for Electronics

The best way to pack electronics for moving is to hire the services of a professional packing and removal company as they will have the skills and correct packaging materials to ensure that your electronics remain safe, but should you decide to pack your precious electronics yourself here are our top packing tips.

Prior to packing electronics for travel photograph their condition, make a note of the manufacturer, model number, and any serial numbers. Then produce an electronics packing list so that in the event that you need to make an insurance claim at a later date you will be able to provide all the information the insurance company may require.
Having labeled and disconnected all the cables, wind the cables so that they do not become a tangled mess and secure in place with a tie such as an elastic band, zip tie or food bag ties.
Do not place bubble wrap or newspaper directly onto the screens of your electronics as this can damage the screen. Instead cut a piece of card the same size as the screen.
Wrap the device in soft paper or a blanket. Securely tape so that the protection cannot move whilst being handled.
Place the cardboard protector that you earlier cut out, over the screen and secure in place with tape.
Cover the entire thing in bubble wrap or thick blankets and secure again with tape.
Use 3 ply cardboard boxes to transport your delicate electronics and these offer the best protection for transit and stacking.
Pad the bottom of the box with a blanket, clothing or bubble wrap which will absorb any impacts when the item is placed on the floor.
Place the item in the box. Do not stack multiple items on top of each other without an additional layer of protection such as more padding, always ensuring that heavier items are packed in the box first. It is highly recommended though that you pack only one electronic item per box.
Ensure that the contents of the box cannot move about in transit by filling any gaps with bubble wrap, linens, or newspaper.
Another layer of padding should be placed on top of the items before securely sealing the box. Seal the box lengthways and from side to side for additional safety.
Finally clearly label the box as ‘Fragile – Handle With Care – This Way Up’. Ensure you label which room the box is to go into to make it easier for the movers.
Clearly identify which side of the box the screen is so the movers can take extra care to prevent damage to the screen.
It is not advisable, for security reasons, to mark on the box that it contains valuable electronic equipment.
If you are expecting rain on moving day, securely wrap the box in plastic such as bin liners, to keep the box and contents dry. Remember to attach the box labels on the outside of the plastic wrapper as well as on the boxes themselves, so that in the unlikely event that the plastic gets torn off your boxes, they are still well labeled.