How to Pack Up Your Garage
What’s worse than packing the kitchen? Sometimes, it’s the garage. It’s an out-of-sight room that is perfect for storing all the necessities for your home that you don’t want on display such as gardening tools, the kayak, bikes, hardware, or even the treadmill you got for your birthday but never use.
Packing Your Garage for a Move
It’s usually the last room to get packed, which means you most likely didn’t purge the unwanted items in advance. Plus, you’ll be tired and inclined to just toss everything into a box and move on. But while packing up your garage may not be first on your to-do list, it still has to get done. Here are some tips for making it as painless as possible.
Organize and Purge
Make sure to include the garage on your list of rooms to organize and purge. Because most garages collect a lot of junk, chances are it is filled with lots of items that you no longer want or need. It’s just a matter of digging through the clutter and sorting them out.
If you aren’t able to purge first, declutter as you continue to pack. Sort unwanted items into one of three piles: recycle, donate, or trash. Getting rid of things now is very helpful for both the move itself and unpacking.
Want to turn your unneeded items into cash? Start organizing early and host a pre-move garage sale. Not only will you be able to find a new home for things that are simply weighing you (and the moving truck) down, you’ll also make some money to offset the cost of your move.
Gather Supplies
Packing up your garage requires having the right supplies for the job. A lot of your typical garage items are bulky and oddly shaped, so you’ll need heavy-duty boxes and moving blankets to keep everything safe. Plastic moving containers are ideal for packing a garage, since they’re incredibly sturdy. Cardboard boxes will work too, if they are in good condition. Do not overpacking them. In addition, you’ll need plastic wrap, plenty of packing tape, and packing paper.
Safety First
Many garage items have sharp edges and other characteristics that can make them dangerous during a move. You will need to separate tools from their power chords, batteries, and attachments and store them in the carrying cases they came in or a different designated container. Make sure to drain any oil or gas from tools that use them, including your lawnmower. Wrap up sharp-edged tools in packing paper, plastic wrap, and an old towel for extra protection, and then bundle like items together. Make sure all screws, nails, and other tiny parts are kept together, as well. If they’re not already in their own case, use plastic or paper baggies.
Group Like Items Together
To keep yourself as organized as possible when packing a garage, bundle together items that are similar in size and shape. Gather long items like rakes, brooms, and shovels together and roll them up in a moving blanket. Stack patio chairs (remove the cushions first and pack these separately in their own bin), box small hardware items together, etc. In addition to saving you time in the unpacking stage, doing this will also make it easier to arrange items on the moving truck.
Label the Boxes
The items in your garage are there for a reason. To make sure that they don’t end up inside when you arrive at your new place, clearly mark them “GARAGE.” You should also note if there are any hazardous materials inside, particularly for those items that are not allowed to be transported on the moving truck. You don’t want to take the risk of something dangerous winding up on the truck bed.
Separate the Essentials
You may need some of the items in your garage right away after you move. Pack a box (or boxes, depending on whether the items can be packed together) of clearly marked essentials so you know exactly where to look when you need a hammer or drill.
Packing up your garage might not be fun, but it’s actually easier than you think. Once you figure out how you’re going to deal with the bulk and weight of the items in there, it’s really just a matter of getting the right supplies and packing everything up smartly and safely. Follow the tips above to simplify the process, and if you’re really worried about it, contact us at Alliance Relocation Services and find out how we can help you.