How to Pack a Garage or Storage Unit for Moving

Sort and Purge Before You Pack

Most garages and storage lockers in Montreal are packed with things people forgot they owned. Before wrapping a single item, sort everything into four piles: keep, donate, sell, and trash. Be ruthless — if you haven't used it in two years, you probably won't at your new place either. Montreal has several donation options including Renaissance, the Salvation Army, and Facebook Marketplace for larger items.

For hazardous materials like old paint cans, solvents, and pesticides, don't pack them — most Montreal movers won't transport them. Drop them off at your local écocentre (there are seven across the island) for free disposal.

Packing Tools and Hardware

Wrap sharp tools like saws and chisels in thick moving blankets or cardboard sheaths secured with tape. Group smaller hand tools in zip-lock bags or small boxes. Power tools should ideally go in their original cases; if those are long gone, wrap each one in a moving blanket and pack tightly in a sturdy box. Remove batteries from cordless tools and transport them separately.

Hardware (nails, screws, bolts) tends to live in jars and bins that can shatter or spill. Transfer loose hardware into labelled zip-lock bags and pack them in a small box. This is also a great time to organize — you'll thank yourself when you're setting up your new workshop.

Bulky Items and Outdoor Furniture

Lawnmowers, snowblowers, and BBQs should be drained of fuel before loading onto the truck — Montreal movers require this for safety. Clean and dry patio furniture, then stack chairs and wrap table legs in moving blankets. For shelving units, disassemble them and bundle the pieces with stretch wrap, taping hardware bags to the frame.