How to Pack Books for Moving
When moving, it can be hard to pack your belongings in a way that ensures that they are safe and won’t be damaged during transit. Books are particularly hard to pack as their pages can easily be bent or damaged. Below we talk about the best way to pack your books for moving. Should you need packing material of moving boxes for sale, we deliver to your door in all major cities within SA.
Clear out your books
As you are packing them all, it is the best time to have a clear-out and see if you want to get rid of or sell any of them. It can be tempting to keep every book; however, books can take up a lot of room in a home and some of them you will never read again.
Pack your books by size
Books come in all different sizes, which can make them tricky to pack altogether. Sort your books by size so that you can pack them into the same box and utilise all the space possible.
Don’t use big boxes
It can be tempting to just pile all of your books into one big box to keep them all together and keep space down to a minimum. However, books are very heavy, and this can lead to your box breaking or you not being able to carry the load. Try to use smaller more manageable boxes to pack your books into. Read our guide on how to choose the right boxes.
Use strong boxes
As mentioned above, books are quite heavy for their size. Make sure the boxes you pack them in are made of thick cardboard and aren’t damaged. Add extra tape to the bottom and top of the box to ensure that the weight of the books won’t cause the bottom to collapse.
Use suitcases
Another way to easily transport books is by using a suitcase that has wheels. Suitcases are sturdy and spacious, and the wheels make them very easy to move around. If there is space in the suitcase fill that up with packing paper or something soft to ensure that the books don’t move around.
Label your boxes
Make sure you label the boxes with the books in so that you know where they are when you are unpacking in your new home. If you are very precious about your books or have some that would be an expensive loss if they are damaged, you could write fragile on the box, so that the removal company knows to be gentle. You can also write “this way up” on the top of the box so that the box isn’t moved around, and the books stay put.
Unpack the books early
When you get to your new house it is best to try and unpack the books as soon as possible. Boxes with books in them can take up a lot of room and they are relatively easy to unpack, especially if they are just going on a bookshelf.
Use removal packing services
Some removal companies will offer a service where they can pack your belongings for you. It is great for people who don’t have a lot of time or want to ensure that their possessions are safely packed and ready for transport professionally. If you are worried about your books, speak to your removal company who will be able to offer you advice or pack these for you, taking special care to make sure they are not damaged during the move.
