Last Updated on October 17, 2018 by Kari-Ann Ryan
It’s commonly assumed that the kitchen would be the biggest nightmare when it comes to packing, but if you think about everything, your garage throws in a whole new headache. Many homeowners often use their garages as storage units, keeping large, heavy, and even unnecessary items that don’t belong in the house stored away for months and even years.
The list of items in the garage can include any of the following:
- Gardening tools
- Paint
- Tools
- Lawn mower
- Gas cans
- Boxes
- Hazardous chemicals
- Ladders
- Bikes
- Trash cans
The garage is also one of the last places to pack, so by this time everyone just wants to throw everything in a box and go. But as dreadful as this chore can be, here are some garage packing tips that can ease the tension during the final phases.
1. Organize and Downsize
Just like with other rooms, the less you have to move, the more efficient your costs will be. Because the garage isn’t a place you will spend much time in, it’s common for items to become lost in this oversized storage unit. So you will probably need a few extra garbage bags for hauling the junk out of here.
Before getting started, it’s easiest to organize the items into three different piles first: recycling, donating, and throwing away. While this process may take longer now, you will only have to deal with a portion of the items in the garage on moving day, not to mention how much cleaner your new garage will look after everything is moved in.
If you have extra time, you can also make some cash off of your unwanted belongings by holding a yard or garage sale. In addition to getting rid of these items, you’ll have some extra cash to pay off your move.
2. Buying Packing and Moving Supplies
There are a lot of items in the garage that just can’t be thrown into a box and pushed to the side; items like chemicals, glass, tools, can all be dangerous if not packed properly. So you’ll want to buy some heavy-duty boxes and moving blankets (or old towels and blankets if you have them) to keep everything and everyone safe during the move.
Consider using Mid-West Moving & Storage’s crating services, which involves the use of heavy-duty crates that can be easily stacked and moved to and from the truck. But if you do decide to go with cardboard boxes, be sure not to overpack them and use plastic wrap, lots of packing tape, and packing paper to secure everything in place.
3. Set Aside Old Towels, Linens, and Blankets
If you have any moving blankets or old towels lying around, don’t pack them up right away. If you don’t mind them getting dirty, you can use them to wrap up sharp objects and tools like pruning shears or trowels. Just don’t use the same towels from the kitchen since they may get dirty or ripped during the move.
4. Always Remember Safety
There’s a lot of sharp, heavy, and toxic items that are commonly kept in the garage. As in any situation, safety is the number one priority and should always be kept in mind when packing these items. Here are some steps to take before packing up common garage items:
- Separate tools from batteries, power chords, and other attachments
- Store tools in their manufacturer boxes or into separate containers
- Drain all oil and gasoline from the lawnmower and other tools
- Wrap up sharp tools with an old towel, packing paper, or plastic wrap and keep them together
- Line boxes with small towel or wadded packing paper to prevent sharp objects from poking through or moving around within the box
- Keep all nails, screws, and other small bits in small bags that are kept together
5. Know What Can’t Go on the Truck
Due to safety reasons, there is a list of items that cannot be moved by the professionals. As a number of these items are commonly stored in the garage, you’ll want to set them aside because they will need to be transported in your car instead:
- Pool chemicals
- Car batteries
- Cleaning solvents
- Liquid bleach
- Propane tanks
- Aerosol cans
- Paint and paint thinners
- Herbicides and pesticides
6. Clean Before Packing
Heavy cleaning and packing are two separate chores, but it’s never pleasant to pack up dirty, dusty items. Simply wiping down these items to remove the dust and cobwebs will be very helpful when preparing them for the move. It doesn’t take much time and they will be much easier to handle when unpacking them at your new place.
7. Keep Similar Items Together
When packing any items, it’s important to keep everything organized in order to stay efficient. But when dealing with everything in the garage, this is even more critical. Here are some organization tips to follow:
- Roll up rakes, brooms, and shovels together in a moving blanket
- Remove cushions from patio chairs and store them in their own bin
- Stack all patio furniture together
- Box small tools and hardware items together
By the time you arrive to your new home, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you will be able to unpack and store everything in the garage.
8. Pack the Bikes
Fortunately, there isn’t much to be done when preparing bikes for relocation, but for additional security, there are bike boxes and bags that can be used. Just keep in mind that they can get expensive, so it should really only be considered if you have invested time and money into your bike.
9. Label the Boxes
As you can imagine, you’ll have a ton of boxes to move onto the truck, and having to open each one to find which room it belongs to will only eat up time. Make sure that each box in the garage is labeled correctly and note if there are any fragile or hazardous items to keep them and the movers safe.
10. Pack the Essentials Last
Packing can be a very frustrating process because you never know what you will need until after everything is packed. But it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and figure out which items you will still need, such as a tool kit for disassembling and reassembling furniture.
When looking at the big picture, packing up your garage never sounds like a fun job. But after sorting and figuring out what to do with everything, it’s just a matter of throwing out, donating, and instructing the movers to move the items onto the truck.
Work with a Professional Moving Company
If you are still feeling overwhelmed with the packing process, whether it’s the items in your garage, storage units, or entire home, you can always rely on the help of a professional moving company. Our movers at Mid-West Moving & Storage have years of experience and can work with you to quickly sort and pack your items.
In addition to following these tips, our professionals also have the knowledge and equipment to move large, heavy items, including ladders, lawnmowers, snow blowers, shelving units, etc. We ensure to handle all aspects of the moving process so you can relax on moving day; everything from planning to unpacking, our experts handle it all.
For more information on how we can help with any aspect of the moving process or for a free estimate, call Mid-West Moving & Storage at 847.593.7201. We look forward to working with you soon.
