How to Safely Pack Your Books When Moving
Despite the fact that it is the 21st century, books are still one of the most important sources of knowledge in various fields. What’s more, traditional reading is a favorite pastime of many people.
So it’s not surprising that over the years people accumulate quite a large library in their homes.
- If you suddenly have to move, what do you do with all this precious knowledge?
- How do you transport books properly?
- Where can you buy good packaging for them?
In the rest of this article you will find the answers to these and many other questions.
First, the sorting
Before you start packing, take some time to sort your library. You can do this as follows:
- Keep rare, unusual, and expensive books together.
- Multi-volume collections and regular periodicals can also be packed together, but in a separate box or container.
But there is another way.
It is to sort everything just by size. To eliminate the risk of damage to protruding edges, simply place books of similar size next to each other.
All of these groups of books can then be placed next to each other or on top of each other in a suitcase, case, or box, regardless of which separation method you choose.
How to pack books when moving
Basically, you have the following options:
- Polythene bags – the simplest type of packaging, good for keeping out humidity.
- Cardboard, corrugated, and micro-corrugated boxes – a good option for large batches of books (like 100 or more).
- Stretch wrap – a universal option that protects against both moisture and external damage.
In addition, bubble wrap, twine, and even duct tape are sometimes used to pack books.
Let’s shed some light on all of these approaches.
Polyethylene bags
The main advantage of polyethylene is its uncompromising protection against moisture. Even if it rains, the books will remain intact. This method of storage is best suited for the common magazines or the old, dilapidated books that are not so much to worry about.
Stretch wrap
Stretch wrap is another (and happens to be an extremely reliable) method of packaging. This is mainly due to its selective adhesion. That is, the layers stick together and wrap around the book, but they don’t adhere completely to the book, so you don’t have to peel anything off when it comes time to unpack.
Ideal for expensive collectible books that are very fragile.
Bubble wrap
A cross between polyethylene and stretch wrap. It protects well against mechanical damage as well as weather conditions (humidity, dust, temperature differences, etc.).
You can use it to cover non-essential books as well as expensive ones.
By the way, you can combine stretch and bubble wrap. This is usually the best option.
Twine and tape
These are the most budget-friendly options. But their advantages end there. Binding twine simply does not hold books in place, and tape can easily damage the cover. Only wastepaper is suitable for this type of packaging.
How to ship books without damaging them
Books are fragile cargo that requires careful handling. When loading them in the car for a move, it is necessary to exercise extreme caution. Here are some tips to help you do this carefully:
- Use small size box (1.5 cubic foot);
- Place the case (box) with books on a flat, clean surface;
- There should be no liquids in the body or trunk that could wet the box and spoil the books inside.
- Do not stack more than three cases (boxes) – the weight of the upper ones can distort the binding.
- A dry microclimate in the vehicle is extremely important when transporting over long distances. Try to choose cars with air conditioner, humidifier or heater (or better all at once, good thing all this is in almost every modern vehicle).
But if for some reason you cannot find such a car, you can use silica gel. This is a sorbent that can absorb a significant amount of moisture from the environment. The base of the sorbent is silica acid, and it usually comes in the form of colorless pellets. Simply place bags of it in each box, and the substance will absorb excess moisture and protect the paper from mildew.
Oh yes, you’ll also want to worry about possible physical damage from the outside. The body of the box should be secured to prevent unnecessary shaking and to restrict movement.
Bumping into the walls of the car or other hard objects inside can damage the books inside.
Moving boxes can be secured with strong ropes or cables tied to protruding parts in the trunk.