How to Pack a TV for Moving
Knowing how to pack a TV for moving is vital if you want to move it safely and increase its lifespan. Especially if it is a flat-screen TV, you should ensure that the entire TV is positioned carefully in a TV moving box before entering the moving truck or car.
The job becomes easier if you still have the original box of the TV and a few packing supplies. However, there’s no need to panic if the original TV box is nowhere to be found. Simply use moving blankets instead or buy flat-screen TV boxes from one of the moving companies in your area.
This article shows you a step-by-step guide on how to pack a TV for moving. We also list the packing material supplies you will need and a few tips to guide you.
Step 1: Gather Your Packing Materials
To safely pack your television and move it to your new home, you need some materials to make the process seamless. These materials play diverse roles in moving, so they are all important. While one packing material may protect the television from falling objects, another may secure the moving boxes. Some tools you need to pack and move a television include:
- TV moving box
- Flat-screen TV cover (if you have one)
- Bubble wrap
- Moving blanket
- Packing tape
- Screwdriver
- Packing paper
- Masking tape
- Permanent marker
- Microfiber cloth
- Transparent plastic bags
Step 2: Disconnect the Television
After gathering your tools, the next step is to disconnect your TV from its power source. This is a no-brainer but ensure that you turn the TV off before removing the power cord from the socket. Afterwards, wrap the power cord into a coil and place it in a transparent bag or container. Alternatively, you can place it in a separate box and use a permanent marker to label it. That way, it will be easy to identify later on.
Step 3: Unplug Cables and Cords
After disconnecting the TV from its main power source, unplug all the cords. However, if reconnecting them in your new home will be confusing, we advise you to take a photo as a reference. Alternatively, you can label them before you pack if you have the time. When unplugging the cables, don’t be in a hurry but do so carefully. Unplug them one after the other to avoid destroying any port in the TV.
When you are done, wrap them one after the other and place them in a transparent bag. Avoid putting these cables, cords or accessories in the same box as your TV. This is because they could pose a risk to your TV screen or port and damage them in the moving process. Another reason organising the cables is vital is that you can easily locate them in one place.
Step 4: Dismount and Clean the TV
After unplugging the cables and cords, the next step is to dismount and clean the TV. Dismounting it from the TV stand prepares the television for proper packing. If you own a wall-mounted television, carefully take it off the wall mount. You can lay furniture blankets in an empty space and keep the TV there. Ensure to get help from someone to dismount a large TV, so it doesn’t fall to the ground. You can use a screwdriver to take down the TV stand when you’ve successfully done that.
After dismounting the television, use the microfiber cloth to clean it. Cleaning it removes accumulated dust from the television. Specific parts to dust include the flat screen, openings and other external parts.
Step 5: Wrap the Entire TV
The next step is to give your flat-screen TV a protective covering using bubble wrap, packing paper or any other good wrap. Usually, bubble wrap comes in the TV’s original box, but you can purchase it in a store. However, if you don’t have access to bubble wrap, you can wrap the TV with a moving blanket. Depending on how large or small the TV is, carefully wrap the blankets around it until it is well-padded. Also, when wrapping, secure the entire front of the TV because the screen is its most delicate part.
Step 6: Secure the Bubble Wrap
The next step is to tighten the wrap in step 5. If you used bubble wrap, secure it with packing tape, avoiding the screen area. After that, you can give additional protection by wrapping the TV with a furniture blanket. In the moving process, most TVs stay safe when in contact with a soft surface.
On the other hand, if you use a blanket, secure it using an octopus strap, packing tape or rope. When doing this, avoid the screen at all costs. Getting tape on the screen may likely damage the screen in some way. This is because screens don’t do well in contact with adhesives, so avoid it altogether.
Step 7: Prep the TV Box
When you want to safely pack a TV for moving, the box you use to pack it is just as vital as the moving process itself. If you have the original packaging in which the flat-screen TV came, it will be much easier to box. However, you must find the appropriate box to pack the TV if you don’t have the original box. Purchase a flat-screen TV box from a retailer or a moving company and ensure to specify. The flat-screen tv cover is also useful for this process.
Just as there are different TVs, there are different TV boxes, and each caters to a distinct need. A flat-screen TV box has all the features that comfortably fit it inside. Also, it serves as a protective cover from heavy objects because it conveniently laps the TV. So, you must be very particular about the box you’ll use to pack the TV.
Step 8: Slide the TV into The Box
Before putting the TV inside the box, ensure the pack is secure and stable. If you are all set, carefully slide the TV into the box and let it stand upright. After you’ve put it, if there are empty spaces in the TV moving box, fill it up to balance the TV. You can easily fill these empty spaces with sheets, furniture pads, towels or other soft clothing. This is vital because having an extra space may cause the TV to shift.
Step 9: Put in a Proper Position
Now that you have the TV safely in the box, you want to ensure it is not lying flat on the ground. Always ensure to keep your TV upright when packing or moving. Laying your TV flat exposes the screen to the risk of being crushed by objects that may find their way on top.
Step 10: Place the TV in the Vehicle
The same rule in step 9 applies when placing your television in the vehicle. Whether it is a moving truck or car, keep the TV upright instead of flat. Then place it in between sturdy items. Sturdy objects such as a mattress or sofa help to stay firm while in transit. Alternatively, you can place the TV against the wall where it will not shift easily.
Our Final Thoughts
It can be difficult to pack TVs for moving because of how fragile they are; however, it is doable. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the original box. Using the simple steps above, you can learn how to pack a TV for moving.
While an older television model may not fit into a flat-screen TV moving box, you can wrap it in a furniture blanket. The trick to properly pack is to secure the appliance and the TV box with tape. After that, ensure that you keep the TV in an upright position inside the TV box.
Cheers to new beginnings and a successful move!