Packing Your Garage

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

The American garage has become different things to different people.  Originally intended as a place to park your car, this space has been transformed in some cases into everything from a home workshop or man cave, to a domestic storage facility.  Whether you use your garage as an extension of your living space, or as a place to store little-used items, today’s blog is intended to help you get whatever it contains ready for transport.

We Don't Need No Stinking Cars!

Sad to say it, but for most Americans, the garage is too valuable a space to be used to house their cars.  That being said, even if you do park one or more vehicles in your garage, when it comes time to move, you might like to rethink this tactic.  That’s because the garage is a terrific place to stage a move.  The amount of usable space in a typical garage is bigger than you might think.  The average 1-car garage in the US measures 12x22 feet.  That equates to 264 square feet of usable space.  The average 2-car garage contains 440 square feet.  Once the family car or cars have been removed, this presents the average homeowner with an opportunity to use this void as a place to martial their belongings as packing progresses. (It also saves you from having to rent one of those POD-type mobile storage sheds.)

For those of you who are regular readers of my blog, you know I have stated time and again that the first things you want to pack are the least used things in your home.  Since many of these items get relegated to the garage, so much the better.  To make things even more efficient, sort through and discard or donate whatever belongings currently contained in your garage are of little or no use to you.  Then box the rest for shipping.  For the remaining little-used items that you have squirreled away in closets, under beds, or stuffed into attics and crawlspaces, moving these items to the garage is a great way to get the packing process underway.

Since the garage is the go-to place to store all kinds of chemicals, some of which are considered hazardous, this is time to cull that herd by taking what your movers won’t move to the local hazardous waste disposal site.  This includes such things as paint and thinner, caustic compounds and cleaning solvents, lamp oil and fertilizers.  Eliminating these also frees up more space.

Image courtesy of flickr

If your garage comes equipped with shelves, this makes the process even easier, since it gives you the ability to maximize the use of available space by going vertical.  If you don’t, it’s easy enough to stop by the big box store to procure a shelf or two.  You’d be amazed at the amount of stuff you can stuff into your garage if you think in three dimensions.  The only word of warning is to caution you not to stack boxes ten feet high.  Cardboard being what it is, tends to crush all too easily.  The last thing you want to happen is to have a stack of boxes come crashing down on you, your family or the movers. 

Don’t Be a Fool When it Comes to Tools

Another potential hazard contained in every garage are tools.  Whether we’re talking household tools or garden tools, most are made of metal, and many are sharp.  This means you need to take the time to wrap and pack these implements with care.  While small tools can be packed in cardboard, you never want to stuff a saw, hand ax, pruning shears, or screwdrivers into a cardboard box.  The likelihood of sharp tools, piercing a flimsy cardboard box is extreme.  Better to place these in a metal toolbox, or take the time to bubble wrap the business end of these items before packing them in a sturdy plastic bin.  Better safe than sorry.

Sorry to say it, but when it comes to tools, less is more.  That means you are better off packing fewer items in more boxes, than the other way around.  The weight of anything made of metal adds up fast, increasing the likelihood that the bottom could give way on a box, or you could hurt your back when you try to lift or move it.

When it comes to larger yard tools, such as rakes, hoes, shovels, brooms and the like, the best way to pack these for transport is to group them together and tie them in a bundle.  If you have a round trash can, these long-handled items can then be stuffed handle down into one before covering them with a plastic trash bag.  The bag will keep whomever is moving the can from getting scratched by anything protruding from it.

You Have the Power

Image courtesy of flickr

When it comes to power tools, there are two kinds: electric and gas.  The electric variety will be either corded or cordless, both of which present potential hazards.  When at all possible, the best way to pack either is in its original box with the battery removed and the power cord coiled and twist tied.  Barring that, removing blades or bits from the power tool is a must.  Then the tool itself should be wrapped in bubble wrap or a towel before being packed into an appropriately sized box.

When it comes to gasoline-fueled tools, you are required to drain all fuel and oil from them before your movers will agree to move them.  This means either running your lawnmower, weed whacker, chainsaw, or other gas-powered tool until it runs out of fuel, or it necessitates siphoning the tank dry.  Even after you have drained the gas from the tank, it’s advisable to drag the power tool onto the driveway so you can leave the cap off to allow any lingering fuel time to evaporate. 

Preparing other wheeled vehicles for transport, such as wheelbarrows, dollies, carts, and bicycles is best accomplished by removing the wheels.  The last thing that you or your movers want to have happen during transport is for anything with wheels to start rolling along in the back of a sealed truck. 

Of equal importance to your movers is that all the boxes contained in your garage be prominently labeled.  This is especially true if your garage is used to warehouse your belongings prior to a move. This will not only make it easier for you when it comes time to unpack, but will keep fragile items from being damaged or destroyed.  

With over 4,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.