Packing a flat-screen TV for relocation
When moving, and packing, you require time and patience. More importantly, everything must be done in such a way that all the items are transferred without damage. Trying to move everything fast but with care can lead to even more stress. It gets even worse if the items in question are fragile, or electronics. Your best bet would be to hire packing services Chicago, but it is also good to know to learn how to do it yourself. Electronics can be especially tricky to work with since they are fragile, and sometimes very costly. So, you will need to learn everything about packing a flat-screen TV if you wish to move it without damages.
Before packing a flat-screen TV, you need to prepare it
Just like with any other item on your packing to-do list, your TV needs to be prepared the right way. If you do this part correctly, unpacking at your new place will be much easier.
Give the TV a wipedown and detach it if it is mounted to the wall
In case your TV has a wall mount, you won’t be able to clean it properly if it is still hanging on the wall, so get it off first. Carefully take the TV off of the carrying brackets, and then unscrew the brackets from the wall. Next, you should clean the dust from the screen and the back panel of the TV.
Use a microfiber cloth or a dry rag, and remember to turn the TV off before cleaning it. It is at this point that you should consider ordering some moving boxes Chicago for your TV and other items. Once you finish dusting it, use cleaning liquids specifically made for cleaning electronic devices and give the screen a thorough cleaning. Before packing a flat-screen TV or turning it on, make sure it is completely dry.
Detach all of the cables from the TV
If the TV is on, turn it off before detaching the tables. Leaving the TV on while fiddling with the cables may cause them to arc, leading to a damaged TV, or even worse, serious injury. Remove the power cord from the TV, if this is possible. If not, gather the cable and tie it or tape it so you don’t trip over it while moving the device. The same applies to all the other cables.
For added safety and convenience, label all of the cords and cables so you know where to plug them once you unpack the TV. Another good idea is to take pictures before removing the cables so you know what goes where later. Clean the other accessories, streaming devices, and DVD players next. Pack them in separate boxes with their respective cables and label every box.
After the cleaning, it’s time to pack everything
Now that you are done sorting and cleaning everything, it is time to get to the most important part, packing. Depending on how you are prepared, there are a couple of methods of packing a flat-screen TV. A TV that is properly packed can be moved without damage. If you hire the most reliable Chicago movers out there, all of your goods will be undamaged.
A good box will go a long way when packing a flat-screen TV
For a box to be good, it needs to fit the item you are packing with little to no moving room. Given this fact, you hopefully saved the original box the TV came in when it was purchased. You should always save the original packaging, especially when it belongs to a fragile item. In case you threw away the box, that is perfectly understandable, as they can be large and get in the way. If you did throw it out, don’t worry, there are ways to pack your TV without the original packaging.
Let’s say you saved the box, in which case, this will be easy. Place your TV on a flat surface, and cover it with protective paper. Place the protective foam parts on the corners of the TV and make sure they fit well. After this, it’s only a simple matter of sliding the TV into the box. You will know if you did it right by giving the box a gentle shake after taping it up. The TV shouldn’t be able to move and jostle inside.
The DIY method is perfectly fine
In case you did not save the original packaging, there is always the option of making the protective package yourself. This is an inexpensive method that will assure a good level of safety if done right. To do it right, you will need only the quality packing materials. Here are the packing supplies you will need:
- A couple of new and undamaged boxes
- Scissors
- Duct tape
- Packing paper
- Packing peanuts
Take a couple of the boxes and cut them out in a way that the TV fits inside. Make sure the boxes are new, as used ones can be weak and not last as long. Wrap the TV in packing paper and make sure the sticky side is on the outside. This will hold the paper in place and won’t leave marks on the screen. Pour some packing peanuts on the bottom of the box. Place the TV in the box and start pouring packing peanuts inside so the TV can’t move. Tape the box shut and make sure you use enough tape so the box doesn’t break.
If you want to master the arts of packing a flat-screen TV, you will need the right supplies, some creativity, and time. Moving can be very stressful, but don’t cut corners, and do this properly. If you leave too much space in the box, the TV can jostle in the box too much, and potentially break during transport. If your TV gets damaged, you’ll have to buy a new one. This inconvenience can be easily avoided by being careful and following the packing rules. Last, but not least, pack the remote control together with the TV. Trust us, you don’t want to lose it.