How to Pack a TV for Moving Cross-Country

How Do I Protect My TV When Moving? Follow Our Guide to Find Out

Did you know that there are roughly 121 million TVs in households across the US? Impressive right? For years this device has been one of the most used electronics in the average household. Some of them can be very pricey as well.

With modern technology achievements and bigger screen devices, the comfort of watching television is upgraded to a whole different level, but the real struggle begins when you have a reason to move and don’t know how to take this precious object with you. 

After all, it is probably something that you can’t imagine your new home without. This relocation guide can help you avoid the stress and relocation-related anxiety that is usually experienced in a situation like this and help you move efficiently. You’ll learn how to handle and pack fragile objects and keep them well protected when long-distance moving. 

Ensure You Prepare the Device for Relocation Properly

The first thing on your to-do list should be preparing your device. You want to ensure that everything goes smoothly, especially if you’re moving out for the first time. Don’t make a common relocation mistake and rush things – this might lead to unnecessary complications and maybe even damage your fragile device.

You don’t want to move to another city and find out that your TV is somehow broken and spend a lot of time and money on repairs when you can prevent this.

Take Pictures of the Back of Your Television Before Moving Anything

This is a simple relocation hack that can save you a lot of time and energy. Most people have a lot of cords plugged in at the back of their device and struggle to plug them back in when needed. That’s why you should take a photo before removing all the cords and use it as a guide when setting up a TV at your new home.

Remove All the Cords From the Back of Your TV

One of the basic things you’ll have to do for a comfortable relocation process is to remove all the cords from the back of your TV and unplug them from the wall. You should also remove the base, so you can easily wrap the device. Once you remove all the cables and other accessories, ensure you bring them as well.

You should untangle and wrap them individually so it is easier to use them again once you get to your new house. This is one of the things you definitely want to keep when relocating. Ensure you label all the necessary cords and put them together with the TV. Don’t forget to bring the remote controller as well.

Clean All the Dust

TVs and all of their accessories tend to get dusty over time, so don’t forget to clean all of them before you continue with other steps. This shouldn’t take you a lot of time, but it is better to do it now than later. Once you move into your new house, you don’t want to spend time cleaning your device there.

Gather All the Necessary Packing Supplies and Equipment

Quality packing supplies are one of the relocation essentials – it is almost impossible to protect your device if you don’t have the suitable materials. You can use some of the things you already have and buy additional supplies at the local store. Some of the basic materials you’re going to need are:

• Relocation blankets,
• Bubble and plastic wrap,
• Cardboard boxes,
• Ziplock bags,
• Tape,
• Markers.

Once you gather all the necessary supplies, you can proceed to the next step. You guessed it – it’s the packing part, finally.

How to Move a Flat-Screen TV Without a Box? Packing Tips for Beginners

Most of the TVs come with a large cardboard carton – a box that contains different protective materials, but many don’t have enough storage at their apartment to keep this container, so they throw it away. Don’t worry if you’re one of them. Although it is much easier to simply put your device in its original container, there are convenient ways to protect it even if you don’t have it. 

The most important thing is that you don’t use oversized containers. It should fit your device perfectly, like a glove. You can either buy a perfectly shaped box in the right dimensions or make your own container using the gathered supplies. Ensure you take measures of your device and make a custom container from cardboard pieces. Make corner protectors from styrofoam or cardboard, tape it all, and secure by wrapping. 

Before Packing, Ensure to Wrap the Screen Carefully

No matter if you found the original container, bought a right-sized one, or made your own, you have to protect your device before putting it inside. You shouldn’t cover delicate surfaces with a plastic wrapper because it can scratch the screen. Wrap it in a relocation blanket and secure it around all sides. 

Once you’re done with this step, and there aren’t any surfaces left uncovered, you can add more protection on top of it as a second layer. This can be bubble or plastic wrap. After wrapping the device with the second layer of protection, you can put it inside the container. Don’t forget to add more cushioning to fill empty spaces inside the container. This will prevent unwanted movements inside. 

Don’t Forget to Use the Right Method to Label Your Container, Especially if It’s Not the Original Box

Another important thing to do to finish up the whole process is labeling. This is one of the essential relocation tips for any fragile object. If you don’t label boxes containing delicate items inside, you risk that all of your previous efforts go to waste. This is important for the people who are helping you, no matter if you hired professional long-distance movers for relocation services or if you’re getting help from family members. 

They should be aware of which carton contains something fragile inside so that they can handle it properly and be extra careful when carrying it. This should also be a clear sign of where to place it inside the relocation truck.

It is recommended that you place a container holding your electronic devices in the upright position between mattresses or sofas – something that can keep it protected from movements and unwanted pressure. This is why you also have to mark which side of the container goes up.

Can You Lay a TV Down When Moving?

If you’re trying to find how to move a flat-screen TV and wonder if it’s right to lay it down in the relocation vehicle, the answer is quite simple. No, you shouldn’t lay a flat-screen TV down during transportation. In that position, the device is more prone to damage. This position can actually cause the plasma inside your device to get unevenly distributed, eventually leading to more significant issues.

There is no need to risk it all now that you’ve come this far. What you should do if you want to know how to move a TV like a pro is to put it in an upright position, as we already explained. 

Don’t Forget to Remove Road Obstacles and Waterproof Your Containers

You should also be considerate when it comes to potentially dangerous road obstacles. You don’t want anyone to slip and fall while they’re handling your device. In case you’re relocating in winter, clear the paths around your house. If you have any kids’ toys around the house, make sure you remove them. 

Everything you find potentially dangerous should be moved out of the way. Another thing to consider if weather conditions are bad and it’s raining or snowing during the relocation day is waterproofing your containers, especially those containing electronics. You can achieve this by wrapping your cardboard container into a plastic wrapper.

How Do You Pack a TV for Storage? All You Need to Know for Storing Your Device

First of all, you’ll have to pick a TV-friendly storage facility. These delicate electronics are sensitive, so you can’t store them anywhere. Humidity is one of the biggest threats to these devices, so it is essential that you prevent moisture and heat from reaching them. Also, too cold or sudden temperature changes can lead to damage. 

Instead of renting any kind of storage unit, you should choose a climate-control storage facility to avoid these problems. Another important thing for storing is that you shouldn’t put any pressure on your device and avoid placing it under heavy objects. The same way as when transporting it, it’s supposed to be placed in the upright position. For additional protection, you can leave it between some sturdy heavy items that will create a protective cage around the device.

Now That You Know How to Pack a TV for Moving, You’re Ready to Go

Remember how you felt insecure and stressed before reading this guide? Now that you know how to pack TVs for moving, nothing should stop you from relocating to a new state. You should just invest in the right kind of supplies, use them properly in order to protect your device, and ensure it travels safely by labeling it and putting it in the right position. The same steps apply for storing your device – just make sure conditions are good, and there’s nothing to worry about.

If you have trouble relocating furniture on your own, you can always hire professional long-distance movers to take care of everything – including your delicate electronics. Luckily they aren’t among items movers won’t move. You can have a safe, quick, and efficient move – just learn how to protect yourself from relocation scams, and the world is yours.