Why Packing Your Garage Can Be a ChallengeWhy Packing Your Garage Can Be a ChallengeWhy Packing Your Garage Can Be a Challenge

When it comes to moving, garages and tool sheds are some of the hardest parts of your house to pack. This is probably because they hold so many odd-size, sharp, heavy, and hazardous items.

A lot of people put off packing their garage until the last minute because they don’t want to deal with difficult-to-pack items like rakes, chain saws and all the things that are hidden away in the darken corners. Or there are the potentially dangerous items, like pruning shears.

The truth is: garages often contain hazardous materials such as paint thinner, pesticides, and chemicals that need proper disposal. Tackling your garage early in the moving process can make the rest of your move a lot easier. You get one of the hardest parts done earlier.

And it just doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you’re doing a local move, or moving cross-country, just follow some of the tips below and you will see how simple it can actually be to pack your garage for a move.

Start Early to Avoid Last-Minute Stress

• Start Early One of the things people often say is, “I feel like I need an entire truck just to move my garage, storage building, or basement!” It certainly can feel like that. Be sure to check with your relocation provider to see what they can help you pack and move.

Do you really need to do it all myself? The answer is no. There is a right way to pack and move any hard and sometimes cluttered area. You have to begin with setting a plan in place. As we have said above, don’t let your garage or basement wait until the last moment. In fact, put these on your priority list to begin early.

Packing your garage or basement can be very time-consuming. Many experts consider these to be the hardest areas to pack. So, start early and get some friends to help.

• Declutter, declutter, declutter! Begin by designating two areas in your garage: one for items you want to donate and another for any items you want to sell. Then, grab a trash bag, and start tackling your garage one section at a time.

As you go, throw broken items and junk in your trash bag, and put items to donate or sell in their appropriate piles. Open boxes you come across and check contents. Toss away items you no longer need! For example, rubber and plastic can become brittle over time. Discarding items now reduces what you need to pack or unpack later.

Make a pile of items to donate and/or sell. You can donate some items to Goodwill or even set them on the curb with a sign reading “FREE.” Chemicals need to be removed, probably. Check with your local authorities. You can also set items aside for a pre-move or garage sale.

Properly Dispose of Hazardous Materials

If you do plan to have a garage sale, try to clean each item designated for sale and even attaching a price tag. Next, place these in a specific area for the garage sale items. You can even store these in boxes in order to prepare for the sale. Label your boxes and you will be well on your way.

• Set aside Hazardous Materials More than likely, you will come across items that are prohibited on moving trucks. Be sure to check with your relocation company. It’s advisable to review the list of restricted items before you begin packing. When you identify a prohibited item, set it aside for disposal or, if you are driving to your new residence, transport it by car. Typically, professional moving companies will not move:

• Gasoline and Kerosene
• Paint and paint thinners
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Cleaning solvents
• Propane tanks
• Car batteries
• Pool chemicals
• Aerosol cans
• Charcoal and Charcoal lighter

• Use strong boxes and packing material to protect your tools and equipment. Use sturdy boxes of different sizes that withstand the move and the relocation process. Also use the right kind of packing tape. You want to use the strongest when it comes to packing items like tools. You can also use bubble wrap and moving blankets for larger items.
• Label boxes clearly Make sure when you reach your destination you know where to place each box. The way you layout a plan for your home move, do the same thing with your garage, basement, and tool shed. You want to know where items need to be place. Not only that, but your moving team needs to know so they can move quickly saving you time and money.
• Pack your hand tools Leave smaller hand tools like screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, and pliers in a dedicated toolbox where you can find it quickly. Zip lock bags work well for hardware and anything that you think you may immediately need at your new home.

Take the necessary steps to stay safe when packing and unpacking sharp-edged instruments that include knives, gardening sheers, pickaxes, and things like scythes, especially for a longer move. In fact, it is best to wrap the dangerous sharp blades with a few layers of bubble wrap, strong tape, old towels, or rags and secure them with either strong string or cable ties.

Organizing and Bundling Long-Handled Tools

Be sure to group your long-handled garden tools (brooms, rakes, shovels, hoes, etc.) by size and secure their blades. When you tie or tape them into a tight bundle, they will be easy to spot as they come off the moving truck.

• Pack Power Tools Electric power tools are pretty straightforward and easy to pack. It is advisable to remove all detachable components from a tool, including batteries, and pack them separately, within the same box as the main unit if possible. Be sure to wrap the power cord around the electric device to prevent tangle with other items during transportation.

Many people save their original boxes, and if you have storage space, that’s a great thing to do. Having an original box speeds up the packing process considerably and improves protection of the item you are moving.

If you don’t, look for suitable protective covers to keep them safe until they reach their new home, but bubble wrap, old towels, and unneeded pieces of clothing will serve the same purpose. Remember lawnmowers, chainsaws, snow blowers or any other gas-operated machinery cannot be transported until their fuel is drained.

Keep in mind that moving companies will not move any gas-powered tools whose tanks have not been completely emptied of fuel.

Final Wrap Up Always label each box with GARAGE, FRAGILE, or SHED. It is always great to give a description of the contents in the box or container. Try not to disassemble too many items. If you do, take photos of the item and its parts so you do not have a hard time putting things back together at your new location.

No matter what you’ve just disassembled, keep the small or spare parts in sealable plastic bags and make sure they travel in the same box with the main unit they came from.

When things get really tough, keep in mind that top-rated movers are always nearby.

One of the many factors that set Lambert Moving Systems apart is its partnership with North American Van Lines. As an authorized agent of this renowned moving network, Lambert offers award-winning services coast to coast. Call or Schedule an Appointment to get started with your moving journey!