How to Pack a Television for Moving

Preparing Your TV for Packing

1.

Remove any accessories and cords. When getting your TV ready to be packed, you should first unplug the TV and remove the power cord from the TV, if possible. Then remove the cords that attach any accessories, such as streaming devices or DVD players. Coil them up and tie the coil together with a rope or ribbon.

• Leaving cords attached to your TV can cause the cords or the cord attachment points on the TV to be damaged during moving.
• If you have a lot of components and cables, it's a good idea to label them before you pack them. Put a piece of tape around the cord and write what the cord is used for on the tape. This will make it easier to put your TV system back together once your move is over.
• Put the cords in a separate box or in the box you are using to pack up your components. Putting them in the same box as the TV could damage it if they move around.
• Wrap up attached cords. If there are cords that can't be detached from the TV, you should wrap them up neatly. You don't have to wrap up the cords all the way to the TV. You simply need to wrap up the majority of the cord so it can be contained and won't be a tripping hazard while you are packing up the TV.

2.

Clean your TV with a microfiber cloth. Take the time to clean all the dust and debris off of your TV before you pack it up. Not only will this help keep you clean as you move the TV, dust, and dirt left on the screen could scratch it while shifting during moving.

3.

Unmount your TV. If your TV is mounted on a wall, it needs to be taken down. Typically, you will first detach the TV from the bracket and then take the bracket off the wall after the TV is removed. Look at the instructions for the mounting bracket if you are unsure about how to detach the TV.

• If your TV is large, it's a good idea to have someone help you take it down. Even if the TV is relatively light, a large TV can be awkward to handle by yourself.
• If your TV sits on a base, this should also be detached from the TV in order to pack it effectively. This typically requires the use of a screwdriver.

Wrapping a TV in Packing Materials

1.

Collect soft wrapping materials. Collect a variety of soft wrapping materials you can use to pad the TV. These can include bubble wrap, newspaper, and moving blankets.

• In many cases, you can use materials that you are already going to move, such as blankets, clothes, and other linens. They can pad your TV and get moved in the process, and then you don't have to spend extra money buying additional packing materials.

2.

Wrap the whole TV in cushioning. Wrap the TV in the soft packing materials you have found. Once the whole TV is totally wrapped, tape the padding in place. Wrapping the entire TV before taping ensures that the tape does not get on the TV, which could damage the screen.

3.

Place heavier protection over the face of the TV. Once you have cushioned the face of the TV, it's a good idea to put a harder layer of protection on top of the cushioning. Use a piece of cardboard or thin plywood to protect the face of the TV. Regardless of whether you have a flat screen TV or another type, you should measure the entire front. Then cut the cardboard to size and tape it on the TV by wrapping tape all the way around it.

• If you have a large TV, you may need to use several pieces of cardboard to cover the face of the TV.
• You can use the cardboard from a flattened moving box or any spare plywood you have around.
• If you can, construct a makeshift box out of pieces of cardboard. This will protect the TV more effectively than just protecting the front of it.

4.

Move the TV carefully. If you haven't put your TV in a secure box, you need to be careful when moving it. Make sure that it is in a very protected spot in your moving truck, such as next to a mattress or other soft surface.

• You may even want to take the TV and move it in your own car. Taking it in the back seat of your car will help ensure that it gets to its destination safely.