How to pack small appliances for moving: A step-by-step guide

Knowing a few tricks for packing small appliances will help you have a successful move. It's crucial to know how to pack small appliances properly if you want to make sure they make it through transport and continue to serve you well in your new space.

Here are some important details to be aware of if you’re wondering how to pack small appliances for moving, including some helpful pointers to ensure your valuables will arrive at your new place in one piece. 

Tools and materials you’ll need to pack your small appliances

Protective packing supplies for small appliances.

Here are the tools and supplies you need to have on hand to ensure a smooth packing process:

• Original appliance boxes or regular moving/cardboard boxes 

• Packing materials (e.g., bubble wrap, old towels, and other packing support)

• Packing tape 

• Bubble wrap or other packing support 

• Cable ties 

• Permanent marker for labelling

• Packing paper

Before you start

Wondering about the things you should do before you pack small appliances for moving? Here are a couple of things to remember:

• If you have any small appliances linked to your plumbing or gas line, you may need to call a professional to disconnect the supply line properly. 
• Making some plans and preparing for a few days without these appliances would be wise since many of them should be turned off a couple of days before your move.
• Clean and dry your appliances completely to prevent bacteria, mould, and odours from spreading during the move. Doing this also helps avoid soiling your other belongings while inside a moving vehicle.

A step-by-step guide to packing small appliances

Now that your tools and materials are ready, let’s get started. Here’s how to pack small kitchen or home appliances for moving:

Step 1: Gather and organise your appliances

To start, gather all the small appliances you plan to pack ahead of time to avoid forgetting anything. This step also lets you see which devices you haven’t used in a while and can let go of.  

Next, organise and group appliances that won’t be needed immediately and pack them in the same boxes. This makes it easier to store them when you move into your new apartment until you need them.

Step 2: Dismantle your appliances and secure the loose parts

To keep your appliances safe, take apart the pieces, if possible, and unplug or remove any parts to make them easier to pack. This will prevent damage during transportation. 

Later, you can pack each appliance’s components in the same box to save time when setting up after moving. Consider adding bubble wrap, towels, or foam to secure these components and other loose parts during transport.

Step 3: Wrap and cushion your appliances

Essential wrapping supplies at the ready.

To secure loose parts, wrap the appliance with two to three sheets of wrapping paper or bubble wrap. Use packing tape to secure the wrap, but don’t use it directly on the appliance to avoid damage. You can also use padded moving blankets and cushioning sheets to protect fragile or delicate parts.  

Step 4: Secure the wires and cords

Secure the wires and cords of your small appliances to prevent accidents or damage. If the power cable is detachable, fold it a few times, wrap it in soft packing paper, and secure it with tape. 

For non-detachable cords, fold and tie them with cable ties or rubber bands. Wrap in packing paper and secure with tape. Label the cords for easy assembly at your new place. 

Step 5: Box ‘em up and fill the box

Gently place the packed small appliances into their designated moving boxes and any additional components that were disassembled and packed separately. Make sure that you keep the wrapped appliances upright in the boxes, with heavier devices on the bottom and lighter ones on top. 

Fill the empty spaces with crumpled paper or towels to prevent the items from moving around during transport. If you notice any movement, add more paper until they’re snug inside. 

If there is still space, add more small appliances to the same box, but stay under 40 lbs (18.14 kgs) per box for safety, regardless of the strength of the appliance cardboard boxes. 

Step 6: Seal and label the boxes

Seal the box by taping the top flaps with packing tape. The flaps should close without bulging upwards. If it does, it means the box is overfilled. Then, label each box with the appliance’s name and destination room, such as the kitchen, bedroom, or living room. 

After packing breakable items, don’t forget to write “FRAGILE” and “HANDLE WITH CAUTION” on the box to remind handlers to be careful! 

Once done, you can carefully load them onto the vehicle for transport. If you have a dolly or cart around, you can use that to save yourself several trips back and forth. 

Pack your small appliances with care

It’s important to pack your small appliances with as much care as you would your large and heavy appliances. The good thing is, doing them up isn’t as difficult as it seems. You’ll have a smooth packing process by following the instructions outlined above. 

Alternatively, you can hire a pro to do this job! Taskers in your area can help you pack your small appliances, especially if you’d rather use your time and energy for more critical moving tasks. So, put up a task now and get some packing done!