Packing Books for Moving
Do not know how to pack your books for moving? We know that relocation to a new place can be a stressful time for book enthusiasts. It is not just the risk of damaging the books that makes them dread the process but thinning the book collection is another concern. Also, books are among the heaviest household items, given their size.
When it comes to moving books, it makes perfect sense to follow the procedures set by libraries, as they pack and ship thousands of books around the country. Books are always prone to damage, therefore, they should be packed and shipped very carefully.
All you need is to observe a few simple strategies, and you’ll be able to move tons of books without any stress. Here are a few guidelines that are going to make the process of packing and transporting books easier for you.
An Ultimate Guide for Packing Books for a Move
1. Filter Your Book Collection
If you are making a long-distance move and have hired movers, you are likely being charged for the move by the weight of your belongings. This is your chance to go through your book collection and determine which ones you want to keep and what you are willing to give away.
This is the hardest decision made by book lovers, but you need to lessen your burden as you prepare for moving. Second-hand stores, church and school libraries, and used book-retailers are good places where you can sell or donate your beloved books.
2. Look for Small Yet Sturdy Boxes
Books are heavy so, they can increase the weight of the box manifolds. Thus, it is better to divide the weight into smaller moving boxes that can accommodate only a limited number of books. Small boxes are easier to carry, and they also protect your books from significant damage.
You can find sturdy boxes from liquor stores or use old shipping boxes to pack books, as they are suitable for heavy items. If you are using bigger boxes, only fill 75% of them with books. The remaining space can be filled with packing materials or other light-weight objects like clothes.
3. Line the Boxes with Packing Paper
Whether you’re buying new boxes or using the old ones, you have to make sure that they are strong enough to carry books. First of all, the bottom should be sealed with a double layer of tape over all the seams. Create an inner sheet within the box by lining it with a newspaper.
Make the bottom of the box strong enough by using multiple layers. A strong bottom will hold the heavy books and protect them from dirt and water during transit. For recycled boxes, make multiple deposits of tape to ensure that they can hold the weighty books.
4. Group the Books by Sizes
When you group the books by size, it becomes easier to place them within the box. Do not put all the heavy books in the same box as this increases its weight. Pack them in a way that the weight is divided into different boxes, and carrying these boxes around doesn’t become a task.
Put heavy books in the bottom, medium-weight books in the middle, and light-weight books on the top. Such an arrangement will prevent the delicate books from being crushed. Hardcover books can be placed in a box standing upright with their spine against the box wall, whereas paperback books can be packed in flat stacks.
5. Pack Rare Collection Separately
Rare collections should never be packed with ordinary books. Individually wrap each book with a packing paper so that they stay protected during the move. Line the inside of the box with bubble wrap or balled-up packing paper to ensure that they stay protected from any external damage.
These valuable books may include photo albums or first editions. As you put them inside the box, place stiff cardboard between each volume to keep the spine straight. This cardboard protects your books when they are moved from one place to another as it stops any movement inside the box.
6. Use a Mix of Packing Positions
This is one of the most crucial packing tips as there are only a few ways to pack your books safely. If all the books are of the same size and can fit perfectly in the box, you can stack them flat on their back. However, this is only safe if the books are light in weight, otherwise, the books placed at the bottom can be damaged.
If you want to protect the book pages, place the spine of the books against the bottom of the box. You can also use the standing up position in which the spines are facing the wall of the box. It is recommended to use a mixture of these positions to optimize the space within the box.
7. Fill the Gaps with Packing Materials
While the books are designed in nice rectangular shapes, there are chances that small spaces are still left inside the box. If this happens, you can fill the space with packing paper or even your clothes.
It is not just a great way to reduce waste but also allows you to pack a few more things within the same box. But, one must only use soft material like clothing so that none of the books are harmed inside the box.
8. Secure the Boxes
After the books have been placed nicely inside the box, the top of the box should be sealed similarly as its bottom was protected. Before closing the boxes of books, use wadded-up paper to fill in the remaining spaces inside them.
Use brown packing tape to close the face of the box. But, masking tape is easier to remove and doesn’t cause any damage if it comes in contact with the book itself. It is a safer option and is as reliable as the brown packing tape.
9. Label Each Box
Since you have arranged books meticulously inside the box, you should also label the boxes with care. The labeling should make absolute sense to you so that you are saved from unnecessary frustration at the time of unpacking the boxes.
Use a dark, permanent marker to label each box. You can even list the contents of each box to make things easier for yourself. If you are using old boxes, make sure to cross out the previous markings to avoid confusion about what the box holds now.
10. Don’t Pack Emergency Reading Material
Don’t pack all the books! If you have to travel long-distance, you must have some reading material to keep you from getting bored on the journey. You might have to be without your library for a long period of time, so having a couple of books with you is important if you are an avid reader.
You can put these books with your emergency supplies like medication, phone charger, etc. Being without a good book for such a long time would be a disaster so keep some material with you to enjoy a nice read.
Ask Professional Movers to Help with Your Move
Moving to a new home is always stressful for everyone. Packing and moving your entire house takes time and effort that most of us do not want to spare. If your schedule is busy, it is better to assign the task to someone who can do it with expertise without taking much time.
Unlike regular household items, books are valuable belongings and need to be handled with care. You cannot trust an amateur to pack your books in a way that they retain their original condition inside the moving truck throughout the journey.
Call GTA Moving Services and let experts handle your precious darlings for moving and storage. We have the right packing materials to ensure that your books reach their destination safely, and we can provide you with eco-friendly, waterproof, and durable plastic boxes for rent. Our storage facilities are also the perfect place to store your books because of their cool temperature and dryness.
