How to Pack Books for Moving

Packing Books

It can be challenging to move books. They are typically among the bulkiest household items you pack. To pack correctly and guarantee the safety of your books during the moving process, take a look at the following tips:

  • 1. When did you last weed through your collection? Although not required, it is always a good idea to consider this. Remember that going through your belongings and decluttering is one of the first things that almost any professional will advise you to do when moving. For your book collection, you should do this. Give those extra copies to charity or someone you know will enjoy. Consider selling back any old textbooks you no longer need, especially if they are still being used in classes.
  • 2. You must have the appropriate boxes! Next, make sure you are purchasing the appropriate boxes. To avoid having books weigh too much, stick with medium-sized boxes when packing them. Because of the weight of the books inside, you’ll want to make sure that these boxes have never been damp, as this could compromise their integrity.
  • 3. Prepare the boxes for packing. Double-tape the seams at the bottom to make the box sturdy enough to hold the books. Use quality packing tape, and ensure the tap runs halfway up each side of the box.
  • 4. Put the heavy books in first. Place books into the box standing up, with the spine against the side of the box, just like you would put hardcover books onto a shelf. Make sure you are squeezing these in tightly from one side to the other. If there is room, include something to cushion and seal the entire box, such as a bathroom towel.
  • 5. After that, add softcover books. If you have several paperback or softcover books, you can pack them in flat stacks. Alternatively, you could lay them on the spine first. The books will bend if you put them into the box with the paper edges facing down.
  • 6. Lock the containers. Make sure to fill up any space in the boxes. As previously mentioned, you can stuff towels or even wadded-up packing paper into these. When moving boxes, books can quickly shift, so take care to avoid this. Close the box with tape, covering at least half of each side. For your professional moving team to pack these in the truck where they will receive the most support, be sure to label this box as books.
  • Don’t forget that if time is of the essence, you can hire qualified packers and movers to come in and pack your belongings for you. Additionally, they will take the time to ensure that your library is secure. Best Moving and Storage is here to meet your professional packing, moving, and storage needs. To get started, contact us for a free quote.