Books are particularly tricky items to move – they’re heavy and bulky and can easily be damaged if you don’t pack them properly. We’ll provide tips on how to safely and efficiently pack your books:
- Organize books. Start by gathering all the books from shelves and other nooks around the house and pile them in one spot. If you have many books, divide them into categories such as fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, reference materials and textbooks. This will help you know exactly what you need to pack so that nothing gets left behind or misplaced during transit. It’s also helpful if you plan on donating some of your books and want to separate those from books that will be going with you to your new home.
- Buy packing supplies. You will need sturdy moving boxes of varying sizes that are specifically designed for transporting books. Additionally, you should pick up some bubble wrap or packing paper to cushion and protect the books from potential damage.
- Secure and pack. Wrap each book individually in either newspaper or bubble wrap, depending on what is available. If possible, use tissue paper as this will prevent any ink from transferring onto the pages during transport. Once wrapped up snugly and secure with tape, place each book into its designated box according to size and weight so as not to overload one box too much – tip: lay heavier items on the bottom!
- Label boxes. Label the outside of each box with an identifying number as well as what type of items are inside (i.e. “Books-1”). This will help ensure that all your boxes arrive at their destination in the same order they were packed in.