How to pack a garage for moving

Garages and tool sheds are one of the most difficult areas of your home to pack for a move. First comes the tough garage sorting task, followed closely by the arduous task of packing up your garage items for moving.

Considering the enormous amount of time and efforts you’ll need to invest in packing your garage for a move, you should never leave the “fun” garage packing experience for last when your energy levels get very low and your packing motivation gets even lower.

Ideally, you will be able to begin the important project of packing your garage for moving as soon as your moving checklist lets you. Whatever you need to do to tackle the garage packing job, including asking some of your friends to help you sort out and pack the garage items, don’t make the mistake of postponing it until the last moment.

Packing your garage for a move should not be too complicated as long as you follow these tried-and-true garage packing tips.

Sort out your garage items

Generally speaking, garages are tough to pack due to the great number of miscellaneous items found in them – all types of odds and ends that will need to be sorted out first and then packed up. Like most people, you probably use your garage as an effective storage area too – a place where you keep the things you don’t currently need inside your home.

Think about the best way to begin the garage sorting process. It’s best if you divide the entire storage space into individual sectors and work only one area at a time. Why? It’s simple: that approach will save you plenty of valuable time and introduce a sense of order in your storage space.

Designate two separate piles while sorting out your garage items: Pile 1 with things you plan to move with you, and Pile 2 with garage stuff that you won’t move to the new home for one reason or another.

See also: How to inventory your things before packing

Beware of all items forbidden for transport

As you’re sorting the garage items, you should be mindful that some household items are forbidden for transport due to their hazardous nature. And not surprisingly, most of those dangerous items are usually stored in the garage.

For safety reasons, you’re not supposed to pack and transport anything that is flammable, corrosive and explosive in nature. Examples of such non-allowable items include but are not limited to fuel, oils, chemicals, car batteries, paint and paint thinners, propane tanks, and so on.

If you’re moving only a short distance, you might be willing to take the risk to transport some of the safer non-allowables with your own car. However, professional movers will refuse to load on their truck any of the hazardous items found in your garage. So, your best option is to find a safe way to dispose of those dangerous garage items prior to packing your garage for moving.

See also: What not to pack when moving: List of non-allowables

Organize a successful garage sale

Before you can move on to packing all the garage items sectioned off in the TAKE TO NEW HOME pile, you’re going to have to decide what you’ll do with all the stuff from the LEAVE BEHIND heap.

Some of the things in your garage will be in good condition but of no real use for you anymore. And if so, then don’t pay to get them moved to your new garage – it’s not worth it. Instead, you can try and sell them at a garage sale.

Of course, you should try to sell not only the garage items you’re not moving with you, but also the no longer wanted things from the rest of your home. As a rule of thumb, if you haven’t used any items in more than a year, then you don’t really need to hold on onto them.

If you have the time, organize a profitable garage sale to earn some cash and help out your tight moving budget. If time is against you, then you can always do the right thing and donate your unwanted garage items to charity.

Good advice: How to have a garage sale before moving out

Get the right packing supplies

The best way to pack your garage for moving is to use the right types of packing supplies. If you can afford to get those packing materials brand new, then you should do it. On the other hand, if you’re moving on a budget, then consider getting hold of free moving boxes.

• Moving boxes. Make sure the boxes you use are strong and dry. Prepare cardboard boxes of different sizes because of the miscellaneous items you’ll pack inside them.
• Bubble wrap. You’re going to need plenty of bubble wrap when packing your garage items due to the many sharp and oddly-shaped items you’ll have to make safe. As you know, bubble wrap is KING when it comes to protecting delicate things.
• Furniture blankets. You’re going to need numerous furniture blankets to protect your garage items for the move. The well-padded moving blankets are ideal for the packing job, but you’re welcome to also use regular old blankets are worthy substitutes.
• Plastic bags. Prepare many small re-sealable plastic bags to keep small garage items from getting lost.
• Color markers. You’ll need those to label the moving boxes once you’ve packed them.

Good to know: What supplies to have when packing for a move

Learn how to pack garage tools

Without a doubt, your garage will be full of tools – both hand tools of various types, shapes and sizes, and electric or gas-driven power tools.

HAND TOOLS

If possible, pack most of your smaller hand tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, hammers, etc. in your toolbox. If you don’t have a toolbox, then pack those tools in furniture blankets and place them inside sturdy small boxes.

Wrap pieces of bubble wrap around any garden tools with sharp edges such as rakes, spades, gardening shears, scythes, etc., then secure the plastic wrapping material with pieces of string. Also, group together any garden tools with long handles (brooms, rakes, shovels, etc.), then wrap in moving blankets but have their open blades secured fist.

Read also: How to pack tools for moving

POWER TOOLS

Pack electric power tools in their original packages for best protection – if not, use strong cardboard boxes of similar sizes. First, remove any detachable parts, including the battery pack, then wrap the power cord around the main body of the electric tool. Wrap the whole power tool in a furniture blanket and transfer into a suitable cardboard box.

Before packing any gas-operated machinery (lawnmowers, chainsaws, snow blowers, and so on) with furniture blankets, make sure you siphon out any remaining fuel from their tanks.

Additional info: How to pack and move a lawnmower

Learn how to pack various garage items

One thing to always keep in mind when packing up your garage for moving is that it’s likely to contain an overwhelming number of awkward and oddly-shaped things. The best packing advice here is to use your common sense and be flexible and creative when choosing the best ways to pack your garage items.

• Patio furniture. Clean well your pieces of outdoor furniture, then disassemble them as far as possible for easier and safer transportation. Remove all cushions and padding from patio chairs and ensure they are 100% dry before packing them up. Be extra careful when packing an outdoor table with a glass top. Wrap all lawn furniture pieces in protective blankets. /How to pack and move outdoor furniture/
• Bicycle. Most of the times you won’t need to disassemble your bicycle when moving as you can simply load it onto the moving truck as it is. If space is a serious issue, then you may consider using a special technique to pack your bicycle for moving. /How to pack a bicycle for a move/
• Motorcycle. If you own a motorcycle and you want to have it moved safely to the new address instead of you driving it until the destination town or city, then you’ll be pleased to learn that there are numerous ways to have it protected, and then to have it moved. /How to move a motorcycle across country/
• Car. If you need to have your car shipped to another part of the country, then you’re going to have to get in touch with one of the best car shipping companies in the country. Still, you’ll need to prepare your vehicle before the car moving company arrives for pick up. /How to prepare a car for shipping/

Packing a garage for moving is a tough job simply because you’ll have too many miscellaneous garage items to protect. Refer to our in-depth section of Packing Tips to learn more about the best packing techniques when trying to protect your household items for a move.

If you still feel overwhelmed by the difficult task, or if you just don’t have enough time to pack your garage on your own, then get in touch with top-rated professional packers near you.