Moving house or business can be overwhelming if you have a large collection of books to transport. The process of packing your books securely to ensure they don’t get damaged can be particularly intimidating. However, book lovers don’t need to worry! In this guide, we’ll reveal how to pack books for moving and how to store books using the very best protective methods.
1. Sort Out Your Book Collection
Before you move your books, it’s a good idea to sort through your collection to get rid of any unwanted reads – especially if you’re downsizing to a smaller property. This means you’ll have fewer books to pack up and move, making your transition much easier. To do this, separate your books into 3 different piles – one to keep, one to donate and one to throw away. You could also have another pile for selling. Charity shops, churches, schools and even supermarkets often collect donated books to use or sell on. If you’re thinking of selling any books, try eBay or Amazon as the first port of call. Check out our decluttering guide here for more information.
2. Select the Correct Cardboard Boxes
Books are heavy so using the correct packing materials is imperative. You’ll require high-quality, sturdy cardboard boxes for moving and transporting your books. Not only will cardboard boxes protect your books, but they’ll also help you move them safely without dropping them and risking injury to yourself. We’ve listed the best places to source free cardboard boxes from here.
3. Place Light Books in Small Boxes
Any light books, such as children’s reads can be placed in small boxes. You’ll just need to ensure the box is sealed with packing tape to prevent any books from falling out during moving or transportation.
4. Prepare Your Boxes for Added Protection
One of the best tips on how to pack books is to use packing paper and bubble wrap for extra protection. You can place a layer of bubble wrap at the bottom of your box, placing heavier books towards the bottom. Wrap each book in packing paper to protect the covers. If you have any expensive or first edition books, place a piece of card inside the cover to ensure their spines are straight. When packing, don’t overfill the boxes as this could cause them to burst open.
5. Stand Hardcover Books Upright
Want to know how to pack books to move them? Stand your hardcover books upright with their spine placed next to the side of the cardboard box. Remember to place them in packing paper first. This should ensure that they don’t move during transit. If you have any gaps in the box, fill them with bubble wrap, packing peanuts or rolled up packing paper to prevent your books from falling over.
6. Stack Paperbacks in The Box
Stack your paperback books on top of each other in your cardboard boxes. Again, place the spine next to the side of the box. This will prevent any damage from occurring. You can also pack hardback and paperback books together using the two methods we’ve mentioned. Just fill in any spaces to keep them tightly packed together.
7. Label Your Boxes
Whether you’re moving your books or placing them into storage, labelling your boxes is a must. Label the box with its contents to avoid any confusion. You could simply label them ‘paperback fiction’, ‘hardback non-fiction’ or label them by theme, such as ‘cookbooks’. This will ensure you know exactly where everything is to prevent any missing items.
8. Secure Each Box Thoroughly
Tape the boxes securely with packing tape. Depending on how heavy each box is, you may need to add a few layers of tape to keep the box secure. Keeping each box sealed is important to prevent any books from falling out and becoming damaged. Put extra tape on the bottom of the box, even if you think you don’t need to. This will provide extra safety for your book collection.
9. Places Your Boxes on The Floor of Your Moving Van
Heavy book boxes can easily topple over. Place all your boxes of books on the floor of your moving van. This will give your books the best protection during transportation, as well as ensuring that your boxes cannot fall over and cause damage to your other belongings.
10. Use Acid-Free Paper for Storage
Knowing how to pack books for storage can be a challenge, especially if you’re placing a lot of books into storage. Unlike traditional packing paper, acid-free paper will not turn yellow or weaken over time, ensuring your books are protected. Just make sure your books are clean from dirt, dust and grime before packing them into cardboard boxes.
11. Choose A Cool, Dry Place for Storing Your Books
Any storage facility you use for storing your book collection needs to be cool and dry. Damp or wet conditions will destroy the cardboard protecting your books, as well as the books themselves. A climate-controlled storage unit is the best way to ensure optimal conditions for book storage. If you have expensive books, you may want to place them into a plastic crate for further protection.
12. Inspect Your Books Before Placing Them into Storage
When you’re reading your books, it’s easy for crumbs, residue and water to fall onto the pages. Unfortunately, this can result in the formation of mould or mildew spreading all over your books. Inspect each book before packing them to ensure your books are as clean as they possibly can be.
13. Make Sure Any Notes or Keepsakes Are Removed
It’s common for book lovers to create placeholders out of keepsakes or important notes and papers. When checking through your book collection before you pack everything away, make sure to look for any bits of paper sticking out of the edges of books. Remove anything important or valuable. You might not be able to find these items for quite some time otherwise!
Use These Tips for Packing, Moving and Storing Books During Your House or Business Move
Now you know how to pack books for moving and how to store books correctly, you can be confident that your favourite reads are protected from damage. Whether you’re moving long-distance or transporting your books to a nearby storage facility, understanding how to pack and move your books will ensure your book collection remains intact for years to come.
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