How to keep your items safe when moving in cold weather

If moving in the winter, you’ll likely be a bit envious of Santa Claus and his magic sleigh – if only you could deliver your items to your new home as quickly and easily as he delivers presents to the kids! And every single toy – no matter how delicate – arrives at its final destination safe and intact, even in the coldest and snowiest Christmas nights.

Unfortunately, you probably have no enchanted sleigh and will need to somehow transport your belongings in a simple moving truck along icy roads and snowy highways. On top of it, you’ll have to protect your items from the freezing cold and wet snow.

As great of a challenge as that is, you can make your winter move smooth and trouble-free and ensure that your possessions stay safe and sound throughout the entire process. All you need to do is prepare well – take efficient precautions to reduce the risks of moving in cold weather and take special care to protect your items from the low temperatures and temperature fluctuations they will endure in the back of the moving truck.

Here is what you need to know in order to keep your belongings safe during a winter move:

Which items need protection from the cold?

Certain household items are extremely sensitive to cold and/or temperature variations.

Some materials expand and contract when exposed to great temperature fluctuations – wood, porcelain, metal, and leather can crack or warp when the temperatures change rapidly.

Others become brittle when it gets cold and break more easily. Items made of harder material (like glass, ceramic, plastic, etc.) are especially susceptible to breaking in the cold.

Therefore, you should take great care when packing such items for moving in the winter and insulate them well against the cold.

Pay special attention to:

• Appliances that use water – Your washer, drier, fridge, freezer, etc. must be defrosted (when applicable), drained, cleaned, and fully dried before the move – any remaining moisture may freeze when exposed to low temperatures and damage the appliance. Keep in mind that many appliances hold water inside some of their components, so you need to be careful not to forget any of them (See also: How to move household appliances safely and easily);
• Electronics – Electronic components are very delicate and sensitive to temperature fluctuations – rapid changes in temperature result in condensation that can cause water damage or even short circuiting. To protect your electronics during a winter move, you need to completely insulate them against the cold (See also: How to pack electronics for moving);
• Furniture – Wood furniture may crack when exposed to extremely low temperatures or warp if it gets wet from rain or snow; plastic furniture and glass items may become brittle and more likely to break in severe cold; upholstered furniture may get stained or moldy if it is soaked; etc. You need to cover your furniture pieces with thick moving blankets and plastic wrap in order to keep them safe from cold and moisture (See also: How to pack furniture for moving);
• Musical instruments and pieces of art – Extremely delicate and made of temperature sensitive materials (wood, paint, ceramic, etc.), these items are very vulnerable to cold and need special protection during winter moves (See also: How to pack pictures for a move);
• Plants – Plants are very difficult to move regardless of the weather and have little chance to survive a winter relocation (especially, if it’s a long-distance one). See also: How to move with plants

Sealed glass containers holding liquids (such as wine bottles), aerosol cans (like perfumes), bottles of liquid cleaning materials and other similar items are also at great risk during a cold-weather move – the liquid (or gas) inside may freeze and expand, shattering the container. (See also: What things not to pack when moving)

How to protect your belongings when moving in cold weather

To ensure the safety of your belongings when moving in the winter, you need to plan ahead and take some effective precautionary measures that will allow you to keep your items in excellent condition, regardless of the weather.

Use professional moving services

Moving in cold weather is a difficult and risky endeavor that should not be undertaken on your own. A self-move in the winter may easily result in ruined possessions, property damage, and personal injuries. You need the expert help of knowledgeable specialists in order to ensure a safe and smooth relocation – professional movers are trained to carefully protect household items and deal with all kinds of inclement weather challenges. They have the rich experience and specialized equipment to keep your belongings safe in any weather and know what to do in any situation. Besides, all reputable relocation companies offer moving insurance, so if any of your possessions get damaged despite the measures taken to protect them, you can rest assured that you’ll be compensated for your loss.

Best of all, winter moves are very affordable – most moving companies lower their rates during the off-peak season (from October to April) – and you can easily secure the services of experienced, trustworthy professionals at very favorable conditions during the cold months. Your relocation will be safe, cheap, and hassle-free, despite the bad weather.

See also: Benefits of moving in off-peak season

Pack with the weather in mind

To prevent damage to your items when moving in the winter you need to provide them with adequate protection against moisture and cold:

• Use quality packing supplies – old boxes and substitute wrapping materials will not keep your belongings safe in inclement weather;
• Pack items vulnerable to water damage (paper items, electronics, artwork, etc.) in plastic moving boxes. Be careful not to toss them around though as the bins can easily break when exposed to low temperatures (plastic becomes brittle in cold weather);
• Place small, delicate items in sealed, waterproof plastic bags before packing them in boxes;
• Wrap individual items in thick padding paper and bubble wrap for ultimate protection;
• Add plenty of padding (crumpled paper, bubble wrap, old clothes and towels, foam peanuts, etc.) in the boxes (especially ones containing glassware, electronics, or pieces of art) to create better insulation against the cold;
• Pack electronics in their original boxes (with lots of padding) whenever possible;
• Pack artwork and other delicate valuables in custom-made wooden crates with plenty of insulation inside;
• Seal the boxes tightly so that water and cold air cannot get inside;
• Cover cardboard boxes and wooden crates with waterproofing materials (plastic wrap) for maximum protection;
• Wrap larger items (furniture, appliances, etc.) in thick moving blankets and plastic wrap;
• Put clothes in trash bags to keep them dry;
• Cover plants with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting (make sure the plastic material doesn’t come in direct contact with the foliage), water the soil thoroughly, and apply a layer of mulch (straw or leaves) to protect your flowers and greenery from the low temperatures when moving in cold weather;
• Transport your delicate valuables, wine collection (and other sealed glass containers), keepsake glassware, smaller musical instruments, sensitive electronics, etc. in the cab of the moving truck or in your personal vehicle to protect these sensitive, highly valuable items from the freezing temperatures;
• Have your temperature-sensitive items packed by professional packers – they have the quality packing materials and technical know-how to ensure the best possible protection to your items in cold weather.

If your items are well insulated (so that the cold won’t affect them) and covered in waterproofing materials (so that the snow won’t get them wet), they should survive your winter move safe and intact.

Make loading/unloading time as short as possible

Another thing you can do to protect your items from the low temperatures when moving in the winter is to “keep them out of the weather” as much as possible – move them between your warm home and the protected environment inside the moving truck quickly and efficiently:

• Make sure the moving truck parks directly in front of the entrance to your home (or very close to it). The shorter the distance, the faster you (or your movers) will be able to take your items into the van and the less they will be exposed to the inclement weather;
• Clear driveways and walkways of snow and ice to provide a safe and quick route between your home and the moving van. Shovel snow away from your property and put down sand or salt on the pathways ahead of time. If you can reach your new house before the moving truck, make sure the area around it and the parking area for the moving vehicle are free of ice and snow as well;
• Set up an assembly line – have one person stay in the moving truck, another – inside your home, and a third one make the trek between the van and the house. They will hand boxes to one another and your items will get loaded/unloaded much faster;
• When unloading your shipment, create a staging area near the front door of your new home — the movers will drop your items there and will get the truck unloaded and closed up more quickly.

Request a climate-controlled moving truck

Most reputable moving companies have climate-controlled trucks that ensure a constant, safe temperature level at all times. Having your belongings transported in such a specialized truck will cost you more, of course, but if you have very valuable temperature-sensitive items or if you’re moving long distance in very cold weather, it may be worth the extra charge. You will be able to custom set the temperature inside the van, so you can be certain that your items are at their optimal temperature while they sit in the truck for days on end.

Good to remember: If you need storage while moving in cold weather, make sure you opt for a climate-controlled storage unit.

Unload as soon as the moving truck arrives

Do not let your items stay in the moving truck any longer than necessary – the temperatures inside non-climate controlled vans can get extremely low. Unload as soon as possible, so that you can get your belongings in the warmth of your new home.

Good to remember: Be extra careful with electronics – if you bring a device that’s been in the cold for long into a warm room too quickly, this can cause condensation to build up inside the item. Electronics usually need a full day to acclimate back to room temperature, so let them warm up for at least 24 hours before plugging them in.

Ensure utilities are running in your new home

Transfer utilities on time and make sure you have electricity, gas, and water in your new home on move-in day. Otherwise, your temperature-sensitive belongings won’t be the only ones to suffer from the cold.

Good luck with your winter move!