There aren’t many items that pose more difficulty during a move than a television. Uniquely shaped, fragile, and costly–TVs aren’t something that can just be packed into any old box and tossed in the back of a truck. That’s why it’s so important to know how to pack a TV prior to moving. Sure, it may cost you a little additional time and money on the front end, but when your 65-inch flat screen arrives at your new place in the exact same condition it left the old one, you’ll be glad you invested in the effort!
Whether you’re preparing for a cross-country move or simply placing your current TV in storage after an upgrade, the following guide will teach you how to pack a TV prior to a move properly:
How To Pack A TV For Storage or Moving: Materials, Preparation and Packaging
- Purchase necessary materials
There are several items necessary to make sure your TV is safe during the moving process, including:
- Furniture Pad
- Blanket
- Mover’s Wrap (i.e., bubble wrap)
- Box Tape
- Flat Screen TV Cover
- Cardboard TV Box
- Disconnect all cables and accessories
First, you’ll want to take pictures of the television and entertainment center that you’ll be disassembling for reference later, particularly photos of how the wires from accessories like DVD players and gaming consoles are connected to the back of the TV. The next step is to unplug all the cords from the back of the television and wrap them up into neat coils before placing them, along with the remote(s), in a clear, well-labeled plastic bag.
- Remove the TV stand or wall mount
Depending on whether your TV sits on a stand or is wall-mounted, you’ll want to remove it and gently lay it screen-side down on a towel or blanket. At that point, you can disassemble the stand or remove the wall mount, making sure to place all screws and other components in the same plastic bag as the cords and remote.
- Clean the TV
After all the cables and wires have been disconnected and the TV removed from the stand or mount, you can clean the screen with a TV screen solution, used canned air to get rid of the dust in the back vents, and a microfiber cloth on the outside TV casing will do wonders on the dust.
- Protect the screen
When discussing how to pack a TV safely, nothing is more important than protecting the screen. Ideally, you should save the original packing material the TV came in, but if not, bubble wrap, a blanket, or a flat screen TV cover–which can be purchased at most local hardware stores–can be wrapped around the screen and secured with tape.
- Use the right box
In terms of the box, if you don’t have the original packaging, your best bet is to purchase a TV moving box kit from a home improvement retailer like Home Depot or Lowe’s. These handy all-in-one kits come equipped with foam cushions and double-walled boxes, which can be expanded or contracted to accommodate nearly every size of television.
- How To Pack TV For Moving Without Box
There are some situations in which a TV box simply can’t be procured prior to a move, and in those instances, you will need to know how to pack a TV for moving without a box. Moving experts recommend that you should first wrap the television in at least three layers of bubble wrap, plus a furniture pad or thick blanket, and then secure it between larger pieces of furniture.
How To Protect A TV During Move: Shipping and Transportation
Many larger televisions simply won’t fit in a car or SUV, and even if you manage to fit your flatscreen in your vehicle, the vibrations in the cramped setting can leave the screen vulnerable to cracking or screen distortions. That’s why it’s advisable to utilize a rental truck–and be sure the TV is placed upright and between two other flat, sturdy objects (a mattress is one great option) to ensure any load shifts in the moving truck do not smash the TV.
Hire an Expert to Move Your TV
As you can probably tell, there’s quite a bit to consider when thinking about how to pack a TV safely. From making sure you have all the necessary supplies and materials to disassembling and cleaning the TV, to packaging and transporting it, it can be a lot to deal with. That’s why so many people turn to professional moving companies to handle the packing and transporting of large, costly items like TVs.
