Packing your garage for a move isn’t fun. 

For many people, the garage serves as an extension of the home. It’s a space for storing heavy and less frequently used equipment that requires careful packing.

Once you know when you’re moving out, it is essential to start packing your garage all up.

If you’re a homeowner and you’re not sure where to start, hiring a moving and storage company can make things easier. But even if you do that, there are still things you can do to get your garage ready for moving day. 

Here are the top five tips you can use on moving day.

1. Get Proper Moving Supplies and Boxes

When it comes to moving a garage, getting the right supplies is essential for a smooth move.

You can choose sturdy cardboard boxes or plastic bins of  various sizes to accommodate different items. If you have the stored cardboard boxes in which your tools and appliances originally came, that’s great—you can use them again.

If not, don’t worry. You can easily get all sorts of good-quality moving boxes in different sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and other things you might need, all at fair prices.

Larger boxes are ideal for lightweight items like sports equipment or seasonal decorations while you can use smaller boxes for tools and hardware.

For any fragile item, you may need to invest in specialty boxes for extra protection. These may include dish boxes, mirror boxes, or tool boxes with foam inserts.

If you have particularly heavy items in your garage, you can consider renting specialized moving equipment such as hand trucks, dollies, or moving straps to safely transport to your new home.

Before you start packing, the right approach is to prepare a moving checklist. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don’t overlook anything important.

2. Clean out your Garage

Make your garage clean and organized by removing things you don’t need. Organizing your garage before a move can save you time, effort, and space in your new home. 

Based on the CRAFTSMAN survey, there are more than 82 million garages in the U.S., and approximately 52% of Americans are unsatisfied with the organization of their garages.

To manage it well, you can start by separating items into categories such as keep, donate, sell or discard. Check every drawer, cabinet and closet to see which item falls into your packing list.

Look out for seasonal items such as holiday decorations, gardening tools, or sports equipment and only keep items that you will use in your new home. 

If you find anything valuable, try holding a garage sale to make extra money for your move.If you end up with lots of items that are of no use to you,  it is good to prefer getting a junk removal service.

By decluttering your garage before your move, you’ll not only lighten your load but also make unpacking and settling into your new home much easier and more enjoyable. It is better to start early so you can sort through everything and throw away what you don’t want.

3. Garage items you can’t pack

Some items in your garage shouldn’t be packed for the move. According to FMCSA, movers can’t move stuff that’s hazardous, corrosive, flammable, or explosive. Ask your moving company for a list to know exactly what’s not allowed.

  4. Pack miscellaneous garage items

Here are some more tips on how to best pack your garage and move everyday items that are usually found in and around garages.

Hand Tools

  • You can organize your hand tools by their type or functionality. This will make it easier for you to pack and unpack them later on.
  • For tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, or pliers, you can also try bundling them together with tape or placing them in sturdy boxes. For larger tools or sets, you can use foam inserts or custom tool organizers to keep them secure.

Power tools

Take apart power tools and remove batteries if you can. Pack them in bubble wrap and put the heavier pieces at the bottom of the box.

Bicycles

Disassemble larger items like bicycles for easier packing, such as removing handlebars and pedals. If you can, get professional packing services for expensive bikes.

Outdoor furniture and equipment

Before moving, take apart things like TV antennas, garden sheds, and swing sets you want to bring.

Gardening equipment

First, clean gardening tools to prevent rust and store them in the right place. Use bins  to organize smaller items like trowels and gloves.

Pots and Planters

When packing small ceramic or pottery planters, treat them gently like fragile things. Wrap each one separately with soft material to keep it safe. If you’re moving big or unusual planters, ask your moving expert for advice.

Trash Cans

  • Clean the cans well if you decide to take them with you to your destination.
  • Pack items if the cans are sealable; don’t make them too heavy.

Unwanted items

When you move, you might find things you don’t need anymore, which can feel like a lot of clutter. The best thing to do is to collect these unwanted things that are still good and give them to local charities. If you have big metal things you don’t need, you can take them to a recycling yard.

Grills and Barbecue

You’ll need a strap to ensure safety. Check that the grates on the interior of the grill are secured or removed to avoid damage.

If you have a propane grill, it’s safer not to move it with the tank attached. Disconnect the tank and recycle it at any place that sells propane.

Paint and Flammable Liquids

When packing your garage, be careful with paint and flammable liquids. In fact, it is unsafe to pack and move flammable liquids because of the safety risks, and it is against the law. It is better to contact your local authorities for assistance. They are the right people to guide you to a place where you can dispose of these items safely and responsibly.

Satellite dish/TV antenna

Contact the company that originally installed the antennas and ask for helpful tips on how to pack them properly.

5. Label your Stuff

After you pack your garage belongings, now is the time to label your packed boxes. Here’s how you can ensure your boxes are well-labeled:

  • Label Your Boxes Clearly

Use printed or sticker labels to mark each box with a clear description of the items inside. While unpacking your stuff at your new garage, this simplifies the process and helps you quickly locate what you need.

  • Include Your Contact Information

This is not necessary but you can consider adding your contact information, including your new address and phone number, on each box. Doing this particularly helps you in case a box gets misplaced or you need to be contacted during the move.

Conclusion

Moving and packing household items is different from moving garage items.

Remember to use a good marker pen to label boxes as “GARAGE” or “FRAGILE” and describe what’s inside.

If possible, start packing your garage early and ask friends for help if needed. Don’t forget that professional movers are always nearby if it’s still hard.