Learning how to pack electronic devices properly is crucial in planning your move. Due to their sensitive nature, all it takes is one bad bump to cause damage. To avoid irreversible damage when moving electronics, work with an experienced team that knows how to optimally package your tech, whether it’s a TV, gaming system, computer monitor, or all of the above.

Maffucci Moving & Storage is the ideal specialized mover to pack and store all your electronics. We understand that each item requires a different method but deserves a gentle touch. With more than 100 years of experience in the industry, our movers are trained to give your items the white glove treatment throughout the entire process.

How to Properly Handle Moving Electronics

Despite most electronics having hard plastic covers, this doesn’t mean they have a built-in protective layer. This wrong assumption often leads to improperly packed electronics, leaving them susceptible to damage. Maffucci is ready and willing to offer valuable advice on packing and storing electronics, no matter the size.

Step 1: Gather needed materials.

To prepare for your move, stock up on anti-static bags, packing tape, packing peanuts, and sturdy boxes. Other materials you might want to consider getting include twist ties (for keeping cables neat and organized), colored stickers, markers, and moving blankets. All of these materials and more are conveniently available for purchase through Maffucci Moving.

Step 2: Prep before packing.

Take out batteries, charge them, eject all media, and remove cartridges. Prepare all rechargeable batteries by ensuring they’re 100% a few days before the move. Ejecting all media will stop it from getting scratched, broken, or stuck in your device; once you’ve done that, tape the drives shut. Remove all cartridges and place them in a secure, dust-proof plastic bag. For non-laser printers, ensure the printhead is securely in place.

Step 3: Pay special consideration to items.

Think about pre-cleaning, removing add-ons, and taking anti-static precautions for PCs, laptops, and TVs. When packing PCs, remove dust with a vacuum cleaner extension to prevent it from shifting and settling on components. Then, tighten all internal screws. If you’ve added any additional aspects to the computer, remove them to prevent it from dislodging and breaking. Some packing chips can produce static electricity, damaging sensitive hardware, so use anti-static bags or paper to wrap computer components.

Step 4: Pack the electronics.

Begin packing the electronics. If you’ve kept their original packaging, put them back inside. The original boxes are made specifically for that product and contain pre-shaped foam/inserts to hold them in place. If you don’t have the original, use large, sturdy boxes to hold the item and cushion it on all sides.

Step 5: Cushion all items.

Leave at least two inches of space around electronics to be filled with packing peanuts, towels, bubble wrap, or moving blankets, cushioning the top and bottom. Be sure to add a cardboard sheet between the screen wrapping and the sides of the box to avoid scratches. Tape over devices with fans and any vents to prevent dust from getting into the cases.

Step 6: Label the boxes.

For easy identification when it’s time to unpack and get organized, label each box with the room name, a number, and a descriptor of what’s inside. We recommend labeling boxes with the priority they should be unpacked in. To quickly find what you’re looking for, label all electronics and their cables by:

• Gathering small colored stickers, larger white stickers, and fine-tipped pens.
• Putting a colored sticker on both ends of each cable before unplugging.
• Matching the colored sticker next to the cable sockets on the device.
• Using a white sticker to note which devices the cable connects.
• Labeling the power supply with the name of the item it powers.
• Coiling each cable, secure it with an elastic band and place it in a labeled bag.
• Grouping several bagged cables and attaching them to their corresponding device.

Step 7: Loading and unloading the truck.

Start loading the truck with the heaviest items first. Place your electronics on the boxes or in gaps between large pieces to prevent them from getting jostled. Put electronic items upright with cushions surrounding them and secure them with straps or bungee cords. When unloading, do it in reverse order. Set electronics in the room they belong to instead of dropping them in the hallway to make unpacking simpler.

Step 8: Carefully unpack electronics.

To make the unpacking process easier, unpack one electronic at a time. Start with the item that will be the most complicated to install (the one with the most cable connections), then move on to the cables that belong to it, leaving the ones that aren’t in the bag. Note that you should only throw away packing materials once you’re sure everything is in working order and that you’ve got everything out of the boxes.

Step 9: Reinstalling electronics.

Set the electronic up in the space you want it to be in and plug in the cables using the sticker system discussed earlier. Review your labels, stickers, notes, and product manuals to ensure everything is where it’s supposed to be. After that, run a test to check that everything works as it should and to see if there is damage. If you lack confidence in your tech skills, ask one of our skilled electronic movers to help.

Step 10: Storing electronics.

If you don’t have room for all your electronic devices in the new place, consider placing them in one of Maffucci’s climate-controlled storage units. Extreme temperatures can cause severe damage to electronics. Cold temps cause the metal to contract, weakening soldered components, while liquid crystal displays, or LCDs, can freeze. Hot temperatures cause metal parts to expand, causing stress on soldered connections. Warm air also holds more moisture; high humidity can collect on metal components, causing corrosion.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

With your move quickly approaching, it’s easy to understand how mistakes might happen. You’ve got a lot on your mind, after all. But not paying enough attention to how you pack your devices can cause more trouble than it’s worth. Below are common mistakes with packing and storing electronic devices that you should avoid at all costs.

1. Never leave things attached when storing. Prolonged metal-to-metal contact can cause problems, especially in storage without climate control.
2. Never store screens flat or stack anything on them. Pressure can permanently damage some types of screens.
3. Never use newspapers to pack screens. Newsprints can get onto the screen and can easily scratch them.
4. Never leave batteries in devices. Batteries will overheat and can potentially combust if left inside them. They could also corrode and cause internal damage.
5. Never throw out your warranties and manuals. They’ll be helpful when it’s time to reinstall your electronics and can be useful if they’re damaged.

How to Keep Your Data Safe

Computers have all kinds of data on them, both personal and professional. To ensure its safety during your move, back up all important information before storing it. Even though you likely won’t encounter the kind of mishap that could damage data, accidentally dropping the computer could leave the data stuck inside without retrieving it if it has yet to be backed up. Put all data on an external device or in the cloud before moving.

For a Secure Move, Work with Maffucci Moving & Storage

As you prepare for your move, it’s important to pack each item in the best way to protect it. This is especially true when moving electronics. Electronic devices are extremely fragile and can be challenging to pack efficiently. That’s why hiring a specialized team ensures everything arrives at your destination safely. Maffucci Moving & Storage is trained to handle your devices with the utmost care, whether moving down the street or across the country.

Contact Maffucci Moving & Storage for a free moving estimate. Whether you are in the early planning stages or ready to move, our team offers personalized guidance and support to make your move as cost-effective as possible.