How to pack a garage for moving

The garage is where moves stall. It's full of odd shapes, heavy tools, half-empty cans and things nobody has looked at in years. Start it early — at least two to three weeks before the move — and give it a full weekend.

Sort ruthlessly

Pull everything into the driveway if you can. Make piles: keep, sell, donate, recycle, dispose. Broken tools, duplicate extension cords, dried-out paint and outgrown sports gear don't need to come along.

Handle hazardous materials properly

Paint, solvents, propane tanks, pool chemicals, fertilizer, motor oil and gasoline need special handling. Truck rental companies and moving companies commonly prohibit many of these — check their rules. Drain fuel from mowers and equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. Your city or county typically runs household hazardous waste drop-off; check your city's website for current options.

Tools

  • Keep tool sets in their cases or toolboxes and tape drawers closed.
  • Wrap sharp edges — saw blades, pruners, axes — in cardboard or towels and tape them.
  • Bundle long-handled tools (rakes, shovels, brooms) together with tape or bungee cords.
  • Remove batteries from power tools and pack them together in a labeled container.
  • Keep a small 'move-day toolkit' out: screwdrivers, hex keys, a box cutter, tape measure and a hammer.

Yard and outdoor equipment

Clean mowers, trimmers and grills before packing. Remove grill propane tanks and follow your truck rental's rules on transporting them. Hoses coil neatly into a container. Patio furniture cushions go in their own bags.

Sports and hobby gear

Group by activity — camping, fishing, bikes, balls — and label containers that way. Bikes can usually travel as-is, with pedals and handlebars turned to save space.

Shelving and workbenches

Empty and disassemble metal shelving; bag the bolts and tape the bag to an upright. Photograph workbench setups before you take them apart.

Why totes work in the garage

Lidded plastic totes handle dusty, oily and odd-shaped items better than cardboard and don't weaken on a damp garage floor. Keep heavy items like hardware and hand tools in the bottom of a tote and fill the rest with lighter gear so each tote stays liftable. A dolly makes moving full totes down a driveway much easier; most STORVA packages include dollies.

Setting up the new garage

Unload garage containers into the garage, not the house, and resist the urge to stack them in a corner indefinitely. Put shelving up first, then unpack by zone — tools near the workbench, yard equipment near the door, sports gear where kids can reach it. Label shelves the same way you labeled containers so everything has a home from day one.

Check that you have a clear path for cars before you finish; it's much harder to reorganize once the garage is full again.

How STORVA tote rental works

STORVA rents reusable 27-gallon black totes with yellow snap-on lids across Dallas–Fort Worth. We drop the empty totes off at your door, you pack, move and unpack your own belongings, and we pick the empty totes back up on the date you chose. We don't move, pack or haul anything for you — we supply the equipment.

Packages start at $79. The 1 Bedroom package and larger include black 4-wheel dollies; extra dollies are $9 each. Next-day drop-off is available across DFW; for weekends and the end of the month, book 2–3 days ahead.

  • Dorm / Studio: 10 totes, 1 week included, $79.
  • 1 Bedroom: 20 totes + 1 dolly, 2 weeks included, $109.
  • 2–3 Bedrooms: 40 totes + 1 dolly, 2 weeks included, $189.
  • 4+ Bedrooms: 60 totes + 2 dollies, 2 weeks included, $239.

Rent totes · Use the tote calculator

Frequently asked questions

Can I move paint and propane in a rental truck?

Many truck rental and moving companies restrict hazardous materials. Check your provider's rules and use your city's household hazardous waste options for disposal.

How early should I start the garage?

Two to three weeks before the move, with a full weekend set aside for sorting.

Can I put tools in the totes?

Yes. Keep heavy items low, wrap sharp edges, and keep each tote light enough to lift safely.

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