How to Pack Books When Moving House

Packing is known to be one of the most difficult aspects of moving house. After all, you have to fit all of your belongings into a limited amount of space. Moreover, you will have to deal with fragile items that can be easily damaged at any moment.

Here are more packing tips you may find useful. 

And then, there are items that while heavy and seemingly sturdy, are in fact very delicate. Books are a perfect example of this. They may seem like they can take a lot of wear and tear, but if not packed correctly, they can easily get damaged in transit.

Whether you are an avid reader or you simply have a few valuable books that you want to keep, here is a guide on how you can pack them properly when moving house.

Vital Tips When Packing Books For Relocation

Here are some of the most important tips that you should keep in mind when you are about to pack books for moving:

Collect And Sort Your Book Collection

The first step is to collect all of your books and sort them by size, value, or cover type (paperback or hardcover). This will make it easier for you to pack them properly. This step is important as different types of books will require different packing methods.

For instance, you would not want to pack your hardcover books with your paperbacks as they would damage the latter. Moreover, you should also put aside any valuable or rare books that you have as they will need to be packed with extra care.

During this time, it would also be a good idea to declutter your collection. There are probably some books that you no longer need or want. You can donate them or sell them online. This will not only lighten your load, but it will also give you some extra cash that you can use for your move.

Prepare Your Packing Materials

Next, you will need to gather all the packing materials you will need for your books. This includes cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, a few sheets of packing paper, packing peanuts, and packing tape. It is important that you use strong boxes that will not collapse under the weight of your books. You can usually find these at your local grocery or hardware store.

Make sure to purchase quality packing materials as well. Cheap packing paper can easily tear, and low-quality bubble wrap may not provide enough protection for your books.

Put Cardboard Box Corners On Your Books

Once you have gathered all the necessary packing materials, it is time to start packing your books. A great way to protect them is to put cardboard box corners on each one. This will add an extra layer of protection and prevents the corners of your books from getting damaged.

To do this, simply cut four cardboard triangles and tape them onto the corners of your book. Make sure that the triangles are slightly larger than the book so that they provide adequate protection.

Cover Your Books In Packing Paper and Bubble Wrap

Once you have placed cardboard box corners on your books, you will need to cover them in packing paper and bubble wrap. Start by wrapping each book in packing paper. Make sure that the paper is tightly wrapped around the book and that there are no gaps.

Afterwards, take a piece of bubble wrap and place it over the packing paper. Wrap the bubble wrap around the book and tape it in place.

Pack Your Books In Boxes

After you have cardboard box corners on all of your books, it is time to start packing them into boxes. When packing books, it is important to fill the box as much as possible. This will prevent the books from shifting during transit and getting damaged.

Start by placing a layer of packing paper at the bottom of the box. Then, add a layer of books. Make sure to fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts or balled up packing paper and bubble wrap. Continue adding layers of books until the box is full. Pack hardcover books first to make sure your paperback books do not get crushed.

Once the box is full, close it up and seal it with packing tape. Make sure to label the box so that you know what is inside.

Label Your Book Boxes

Labeling your book boxes is important as it will help you keep track of what is inside. Make sure to label each box with its contents and the room that it should go in. This will make unpacking much easier and help to prevent any damage to your books.

You may use black marker pen and masking tape to label your boxes. Simply write the contents and room on the tape and then affix it onto the book box.

Use Specialty Boxes For Rare And Valuable Books

If you have any rare or valuable books, it is important that you use speciality boxes to protect them. These boxes are specifically designed to protect your books from damage. They usually come with foam padding and other features that provide extra protection.

You will also want to wrap them in acid-free paper before placing your books flat in the box. This will help to prevent any damage from occurring during transit.

If you have antique books, you may want to consider using a custom crate. This will provide the ultimate level of protection for your books.

If you plan to store your books in long-term storage, you may want to look into a dehumidifier. Measure the humidity of the room that they will stay in, and if it’s over 50%, you’ll want to ensure that you keep it in the optimal range of 30-50% so the books don’t get damaged.

Pack Your Books In Your Moving Truck

Once you have packed all your boxes, it is time to load them into your moving truck. Make sure to put the heaviest boxes on the bottom of the truck and the lighter ones on top. This will prevent your boxes from shifting during transit and getting damaged.

It is also a good idea to put your packed books in an easily accessible spot in the truck. This way, you can unload them first when you arrive at your new home. Find a way to keep your box standing upright to make sure nothing crushes them in transit.

Planning On Hiring Movers?

If you are planning on hiring movers to help you with your move, make sure to let them know that you have packed books in your boxes. This way, they can take extra care when moving them and help to prevent any damage.

Alternatively, you may also have your man and van or removal company to pack your books for you. This can be a good option if you are short on time or if you do not feel comfortable packing them yourself.

Meanwhile, if you have yet to find a man with a van company that can pack your books and other belongings, we can help you with that. Just fill out our online enquiry form and get up to four quotes from reputable man with a van services in your area.

Final Thoughts

The packing process for books is relatively straightforward. However, it is important to take your time and pack them carefully to ensure that they are protected during transit. Use the tips above to help you pack your books properly when moving house.

Need some advice for your upcoming move? Check out some moving and packing tips here.