Moving House? Here's How to Pack Pillows Without Damage

Moving to a new home can be an exciting but stressful time. While it's important to properly pack all of your belongings, extra care must be taken when packing pillows. Improperly packed pillows often arrive at their destination crushed, misshapen, and sometimes even moldy. Fortunately, with some advance planning and the right materials, you can pack pillows to minimize damage during a move.

Sort Through Your Pillows

Before packing up any pillows, take time to sort through what you have. This will help you determine which pillows are worth moving, and which ones should be discarded.

Go through each pillow and assess its condition. Flat, lumpy, or stained pillows have likely reached the end of their lifespan. Unless they hold special sentimental value, these should be discarded rather than packed. Focus only on pillows that still provide decent comfort and support.

If you're moving to a smaller space, you may also need to be choosy and selectively pack only your favorite pillows. There's no need to haul pillows that rarely get used from home to home.

Keep the Comfortable Ones

When sorting pillows, fluff and check the filling of each one. If it regains its shape and provides cushioning, it's likely still in good condition for moving.

Toss the Worn Out Ones

Examine pillows for yellowed stains and odors. Check for lumps, flat spots, and lack of support. Discard any overly worn and misshapen pillows.

Gather Quality Packing Materials

Protecting pillows during a move requires the right packing supplies. Invest in materials designed to keep pillows clean and cushioned while in transit and storage.

Breathable Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap allows you to fully seal a pillow while still letting air flow through. This prevents condensation and possible mold growth. The plastic protects pillows from dirt, dust, and debris during the move.

Tape

Use strong packing tape to securely seal the plastic wrap around each pillow. Make sure there are no openings for dirt or insects to get inside the packaging.

Clean Pillowcases

For an added layer of protection, first place pillows inside clean, ideally zippered, pillowcases before wrapping in plastic. This provides a smooth surface that won't snag or tear the plastic.

Use Old Pillows as Packing Material

Don't automatically throw away all old, lumpy pillows when packing for a move. They can be put to use as packing material to protect fragile items.

Place worn out pillows between delicate items like lamps, ceramics, and electronics when packing boxes. The soft filling cradles and pads these fragile objects during transit.

Just be sure to discard used pillows after unpacking. Old pillows harbor allergens and dust that you won't want to bring into your new home.

Cushion Fragile Objects

Layer old pillows between glassware, serving platters, mirrors, and artwork for a cushioning buffer.

Pad Corners and Edges

Use squished pillow filling to pad sharp corners and edges on furniture, appliances, and electronics.

Carefully Wrap Each Pillow

When packing pillows intended for use in your new home, each one should be wrapped individually. This prevents compression and misshaping during transit.

Start by placing the pillow inside a pillowcase, then wrapping it in plastic wrap. Wrap gently to avoid squeezing out too much air. Leave room for the filling to shift slightly inside the packaging.

Make sure all edges are securely taped so the plastic doesn't open up. You don't want any dirt or pests getting inside.

Don't Over-Compress

Resist the temptation to make pillows perfectly flat and compact. This can flatten and damage the filling inside.

Wrap Individually

When wrapped separately, pillows are cushioned from shocks and jostling during the move.

Strategically Pack Wrapped Pillows

Once pillows are fully wrapped for protection, strategically place them inside moving boxes to shield other items during transit.

Pack pillows along the edges and between heavier objects like books, pots and pans, and electronics. The soft pillows act as cushioning to prevent damage.

You can also use wrapped pillows to fill empty spaces and secure contents inside boxes. Just avoid overstuffing boxes, which can lead to rips and bursts.

Pad Walls of Boxes

Line the inside walls of boxes with wrapped pillows to provide a soft cushion.

Separate Fragile Items

Place wrapped pillows between fragile items like glasses and dishes when packing boxes.

Make Unpacking Pillows a Priority

When moving into your new home, make unpacking pillows one of your first tasks. Leaving them sealed in boxes can lead to mildew and musty odors if stored for too long.

As soon as boxes are unloaded, locate and open your plastic wrapped pillows. Allow them to fully expand and air out before using again.

Prevent Musty Odors

Get pillows out of boxes quickly before moisture gets trapped inside, creating that damp smelly pillow smell.

Let Pillows Re-Fluff

Give squished pillows time to decompress and regain their loft before putting pillowcases back on.

Let Pillows Air Out

For maximum air circulation, prop open windows and place pillows in well-ventilated rooms. Turn or fluff pillows periodically to expose all sides to fresh air.

Consider placing pillows outside on a covered porch or balcony if the weather is dry. Just don't leave them outside long enough for pollen or dirt to accumulate on the fabric.

Allow Odors to Dissipate

Give pillows time to breathe so any musty smells from storage dissipate completely.

Fluff and Rotate

Periodically flip and reshape pillows as they air out to restore their loft.

Store Pillows Properly Between Moves

If storing pillows for an extended period between moves, keep them in breathable containers in a climate-controlled area. This maintains freshness and prevents mildew.

Plastic bins or chests with ventilation holes allow air circulation. Avoid sealing pillows in airtight plastic bags or boxes for long-term storage.

Store pillows in a temperature controlled, low-humidity area. Avoid hot attics or basements prone to moisture buildup.

Use Breathable Storage Containers

Look for plastic bins with ventilation holes to allow airflow and prevent odor buildup.

Maintain Proper Storage Conditions

Store pillows in a dry area with temperatures around 70degF to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Additional Packing Tips

Keep these extra suggestions in mind when packing pillows for your next move:

• Mark boxes containing pillows as "fragile" to indicate gentle handling.
• Transport pillows in your own vehicle if possible for more control.
• Use pillowcases with zippers for added protection and compression.
• Freeze pillows briefly before packing to help them hold shape.
• Label pillows treated with scented or hypoallergenic sprays.
• Pack pillows near the top of boxes for easier access.
• Let new pillows air out for 1-2 days to dissipate manufacturing odors.

Packing pillows with care is an important part of preventing damage when moving. By sorting through and discarding any worn-out pillows, investing in quality packing materials, individually wrapping each pillow, strategically packing them in boxes, and making them a priority for unpacking and airing out in your new home, you can help ensure your pillows make the move smoothly and odor-free.

Following these packing tips will save you the hassle and expense of having to replace musty, misshapen pillows after the move. Your pillows provide comfort and support as you settle into your new home, so be sure to take steps to protect them during the moving process.