How to Pack Books for Moving - Experts' Dos and Don'ts
As any bookworm would tell you, relocating your whole home library to a new place is very stressful. How will you move your most precious book without damaging it? If you have no clue how to pack books for moving, you've come to the right place. We can show you essential tips for protecting these beloved household items.
Is there the best way to pack books for moving
or storage? Of course - there are standard guidelines that any literature lover
should follow. There's no reason to lose a few pages from your favorite novel
just because you weren't careful when you were filling packages for your move.
So, how do you pack books for moving? Stay with us, and we will tell you all
the tips and secrets.
How to Pack Books for Moving So
They Stay Intact?
What is the best way to move books to your new
home or storage? Well, any technique that allows your volumes to stay intact is
a way to go, but how to wrap them up, so they stay safe? We will share our dos
and don'ts with you that will help you move
efficiently and transport your favorite volumes without worrying
about torn or crumpled pages. Let's check out our essential relocation
tips for bookworms and get to work so that you can check off this
task from your packing list.
Packing Books for Moving Will
Require Your Full Attention
We'll be honest - this is a bit of a stressful task. How can you not worry about every paperback book? They seem like they were made to be damaged, right? And what about your expensive, hardcover editions that you cherish the most out of all the items in your library? How to decide what is the best way to pack and store books? Especially if they have to stay in storage for a long time.
Worrying about your tomes will only add to the
anxiety about moving out. But, if you figure
out how to organize your move well and leave
enough days or hours for this task, we're sure you'll be okay. Even if you're
having a last-minute relocation, you will be able to pack to move in a hurry correctly with a bit
of effort. Just concentrate on wrapping up items, follow our instructions, and
your publications will continue to make your shelves beautiful in your new
home.
Decluttering Is An Unavoidable
First Step
You likely already know that decluttering is the first thing on your to-do list. Now, when it comes to your library, this might be an emotional task. Honestly, how to part ways with the novels you've been collecting for years, and why should you? The answer is this - you simply have to get rid of a few things. Otherwise, you will have difficulties trying to move every single item from your home.
Don't
avoid decluttering - downsizing for a move will make it easier. You
can donate a few titles you are ready to part from or see if your friends or
family would like to read something new - give them some quality reading
material. That way, it stays in the family, which should give you some comfort.
Also, don't forget that you can always take items to the storage if you can't
find a better solution for now. Sort through your library carefully, and divide
publications into three piles - keep, donate, give to friends and family.
Never, Ever Throw Away Titles You
No Longer Want to Keep
We don't need to tell you this if you are a
fan of a good book, but for those who don't prefer to spend their free time
with their nose between pages - we must emphasize that throwing publications in
the trash is not a nice thing to do. Once you decide what to get rid of when relocating, find a
donation center that will take your old belongings. You never know how much
that can mean to less fortunate people.
Get Proper Supplies
Before you get to work, be sure to prepare
enough supplies so you won't have to run back to the supply store. After decluttering, you will have an
approximate idea of how many boxes you'll have to use to get everything
packed. Also, you will have to invest in a quality tape - but, don't worry,
that's not expensive, so there's no reason not to get enough of it. Clean paper
sheets will come in handy as well, and we'll later explain why you need them.
If you wish to be extra careful, consider buying bubble wrap, but keep in mind
that it's not essential for this.
You Can Use Suitcases for Hefty
Publications
Repurposing suitcases for hefty tomes is one
of the most common relocation hacks. Why is this better than
regularly packing clothes in your suitcase? It's pretty logical - clothes are
not as heavy as novels. You will have a hard time overpacking a box with
clothes so that it's as heavy as one filled with your favorite literature. We
know that clothes won't be something you forget to wrap up and take with you
(you're more likely to forget to change voter registration or something like
that), but it would do you good to remember to leave your suitcases empty and
ready for hefty volumes.
Don't Use Large or Damaged Boxes
If large boxes aren't suitable for this job,
what is the best size box for moving books? Experts suggest using medium-sized
ones so that once they're packed, they won't be cumbersome. One of the tips we
must mention here is that the proper size won't matter much if your box is
damaged, dirty, or wet. You for sure
don't want your favorite book to get all smelly and dirty during transport.
So, you shouldn't run to the grocery or liquor store and ask them to give you
free cardboard packages they no longer need. We strongly advise you to buy
quality, sturdy, and clean packages that will protect your belongings
adequately.
Make Sure You Prepare Boxes for
Books Before Packing Anything
Now that you have quality packages, you might
think that's all it takes. But, don't be mistaken - you still have to prepare
your packages. You will have to do the same thing as you would do when packing plates. Get a lot of tape, and tape the bottom of each box, so it can't
fall open if you accidentally overpack the package. To be extra cautious,
tape the bottom third of all the sides as well. It can't hurt, right? One more
thing before you start to fill the packages: you must place a few layers of
paper (sheets, not crumpled ones) to the bottom. That will add extra safety to
your belongings.
Don't Forget to Wrap Any Book You
Find Valuable
Usually, there is no reason to wrap each novel
separately before you put them in the package. Even the paperback ones will be
okay on their own, but if you own some valuable editions you genuinely want to
keep intact, we suggest you wrap them in clean wrapping paper. It's the same
principle you would apply with other valuable items. When you're wrapping up glasses, you will be extra careful
with the most expensive stemware, right?
Here's How to Pack Books in Boxes
the Right Way
Now, the moment has finally come - let's place those volumes in the packages. Naturally, we have more tips for you. You can't just randomly throw everything in the box, right? Check out these methods for arranging novels in the package:
●
Flat method - The most straightforward way to
arrange items in the package is to place them one on top of the other. You can
do this with paperback and hardcover both. Just keep in mind that you should
put spines on the same side to support each other. Also, heavier publications
should go to the bottom and lighter ones on top.
●
Upright positioning - Imagine placing novels
on the shelf. That's what the upright method means. This is an excellent way to
arrange hardcover editions, but if you're wondering how to protect paperback
books, we would instead go with the flat method.
● Spines down - The name itself explains how to arrange volumes. The spines are rigid, and it's better to place them this way, at least for hardcovers.
One more thing to keep in mind - you shouldn't
put paperback editions at odd angles. That goes for the hardcover as well, but
paperback ones are more prone to damage, so we should be careful with them.
When you're placing your publications in the package, try not to put them so
close to each other that they can damage each other. Plus, it will be hard to
unpack them if they're tightly packed, so you'll add a problem that could've
been avoided.
Don't Pack Books With Spines
Facing Upward
If there's a spines down method, can you place
your hardcover and paperback editions the other way around? No, there's no such
thing as spines up - that will just damage your volumes. Just imagine how that
would look, and it will be apparent to you that spines down aren't a good idea.
Some people get confused and replace spines down with spines up. Be careful not
to do this, especially with paperback editions. That's the quickest way to
destroy them.
Never Overpack the Box
Sometimes, when people are relocating from house to apartment, they try to keep packages to a minimum. That's what leads them to overpack. However, we want you to keep in mind that too many items inside one package are never a good idea. Even if we're talking about light items, we don't suggest you do this - you never know how much their added weight will be.
For hefty volumes, this is an incredibly
horrible idea. The chances are that you won't lift the overweight package, or
you will drop it and hurt yourself. Not to mention the possibility of pulling a
muscle. Don't put yourself in the position to research how to treat a pulled back muscle. Keep the
weight of your packages up to 20 pounds, and you should be fine.
Don't Forget to Fill the Residual
Space and Label Packages
If you're moving out for the first time, you will have a lot on your mind. Don't let all the difficulties distract you, and always remember to fill the residual space when filling up packages. This doesn't only apply to those that contain your literature - you should never leave residual space in the cardboard package, whatever is inside of it. Which padding materials to put inside? You can fill the space with anything you have - crumbled paper, styrofoam peanuts, or bubble wrap.
If you know how to prepare for movers, you already know that you should
label your packages. This is more important for fragile items, but you wouldn't
want your movers to throw around your favorite novels, so it might be a good
idea to label packages that contain literature. Consider drawing an arrow to
show which side of the package is up so the movers don't accidentally turn it
and get your volumes in the spines up position. Remember, that's almost certain
damage.
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