Today I'm continuing the tips from my last post on basic packing for moving tips. These ideas should help make the moving process easier and more manageable. NOTE: Steps 1-5 were in my last post, and steps 6-10 are in this one. :-)
6. Furniture with small parts.
When taking apart items to be moved, such as tables, you want to make sure that all the screws and other small parts don't get lost or confused in the move. To prevent this problem, wrap all of the tiny parts in a freezer bag. Then securely tape the bag to the underside of the item. This keeps the parts with the item they came from, saving hours of time and worry.
7. Alternate packing materials.
Here's a way to solve two problems with one solution. When packing fragile items, use old towels, pillows, sheets, rags and t-shirts to use as cushioning around the objects. This provides extra protection against damage in transit, and will save plenty of room in your boxes.
8. Criss-cross tape on box flaps.
Tape boxes along the seams where the flaps meet together. Then tape perpendicularly at the center of the first tape, forming a cross. This method provides extra protection against seams bursting in the move.
9. Stacking boxes.
Stack boxes by putting the heaviest on the bottom and the lightest on top to prevent crushing. Don't stack boxes higher than shoulder height to reduce the chances of toppling. Where possible, stack them against walls, leaving plenty of open space to handle wrapping and moving furniture. Make sure there is an easy path to enter and exit the room.
10. The 30-pound rule.
Keep each box below 50 pounds absolute maximum and below 30 pounds wherever possible. Heavier boxes lead to a number of problems, including injuries; rips, tears, and burst seams; and chances of being dropped when loaded or unloaded. Keep a bathroom scale in the room you're packing so you can keep the boxes below the weight limits.
Here are some additional FREE resources to make your move easier:
* Finding outstanding moving companies and movers at http://www.movers-edge.com/Movers-s/2.htm.
* Easy moving truck rental guide at http://www.movers-edge.com/Truck-Rental-for-Moving-s/34.htm.
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Showing posts with label packing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label packing. Show all posts
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Moving Tips: Packing Electronics
Packing for a move always takes a seemingly endless amount of time. And that time increases when it comes to packing electronics. Electronics are fragile, can be unwieldy to pack and transport, and generally represent a significant investment.
Here are a few basic tips to make things easier:
For more information, please visit our free moving checklist and moving tips at http://www.movers-edge.com.
Here are a few basic tips to make things easier:
- A picture is worth 1000 words- Use a digital or cell phone camera to take pictures of how complicated wiring (computer cords, speaker wires) is hooked up. Be sure to use plenty of light and careful focus so the pictures will be clear. Print each picture and put it in the top of the box holding the item. This will make hooking up the items in your new place much easier.
- Original is best- Always use the original packaging when available. (I realize that most of us don’t have the original packaging for much of anything, but I thought I would bring it up anyway).
- Double boxing- For especially fragile electronics, pack them first in a box with an excessive amount of biodegradable packing peanuts. Then pack that box in a larger box filled with biodegradable packing peanuts. This two-box system seems like a pain but seems to do a better job isolating items from jarring impacts.
- No loose ends- Wrap each cord carefully with cable organizers, heavy twist ties or heavy rubber bands. Never throw unwrapped cords into boxes- they get tangled and caught on other items.
- Cord labels- Consider getting a label maker and labeling the end of each. Then you'll know exactly which cord you're seeing and where each end connects when you put things back together.
- The two-inch rule- Use at least 2" of biodegradable packing peanuts around each side of fragile items.
For more information, please visit our free moving checklist and moving tips at http://www.movers-edge.com.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Continuing the them of the moving checklist this week, here is an itemized list of tasks for 2 weeks prior to the move. The tasks for 4 weeks prior to the move were published earlier this week. You may also view our free Ultimate Moving Checklist (click here) to see the entire list at one time, along with categories and priorities already assigned.
c Make arrangements to return items.
Here are some critical items to return prior to moving:
Be sure to retrieve any of the following items:
You may want to open a new safe deposit box at the same time, and move all vital papers and/or jewelry into the box in advance. That way you don’t have to worry about them on moving day.
c Create one “Open Me First” box for each room.
You’ll need to access certain packed items almost immediately after you arrive, and they need to be packed together in special boxes (one per room) and marked with either bright red markers or special stickers so you can spot them easily. The specific rooms are:
Kitchen:
Main Bathroom:
Tool room or drawer:
c Finish off packing for “non-living” rooms.
You want to be completed for non-essential rooms such as the basement, garage, attic, utility rooms, etc. so you can focus on main living areas in the last weeks.
c Start eating up perishable food from freezer and refrigerator.
Consider holding a “Packing Party.”
Invite trusted friends over for a “Farewell Packing Party.” Provide free food and drinks, provide upbeat background music, and allow friends to tackle projects that require little supervision, such as packing books or pots and pans. Have friends take pictures and send you copies.
c Hold a yard sale.
You might be surprised to learn that you can earn a few hundred dollars by selling non-essential items, earning you cash and making your move more efficient.
Completing these tasks will have you well on your way to Moving Day success.
c Make arrangements to return items.
Here are some critical items to return prior to moving:
__ Cable/ satellite receiver boxes, remote controls, dishesc Make arrangements to retrieve items.
__ Cable/DSL modems
__ Carpet shampooer
__ Clothing (borrowed)
__ DVD and video game rentals
__ Library books (neighborhood and school)
__ Tools (borrowed or rented)
__ Trash cans/ recycle bins
__ Unwanted purchases
Be sure to retrieve any of the following items:
__ Clothing at dry cleaners, tailors or in storagec Open bank accounts near your new address.
__ Clothing lent to friends
__ Items at repair shops
__ Tools lent to neighbors or friends
You may want to open a new safe deposit box at the same time, and move all vital papers and/or jewelry into the box in advance. That way you don’t have to worry about them on moving day.
c Create one “Open Me First” box for each room.
You’ll need to access certain packed items almost immediately after you arrive, and they need to be packed together in special boxes (one per room) and marked with either bright red markers or special stickers so you can spot them easily. The specific rooms are:
Kitchen:
__ aluminum foil
__ break-proof or disposable flatware, cups, and plates
__ coffee maker (don’t forget the filters!)
__ dish detergent
__ frying pan and spatula
__ pet food and bowels
__ scissors
__ tea kettle
Main Bathroom:
__ bath mat
__ bath towels
__ first-aid kit (aspirin, band-aids, hydrogen peroxide)
__ hair dryer
__ shampoo
__ shower curtain and rings
__ soap
__ toothbrushes and toothpaste
Tool room or drawer:
__ batteries
__ duct tape
__ flashlight
__ flat-head screwdriver
__ hammer
__ level
__ Phillips-head screwdriver
__ picture hangers
__ tape measure
__ utility knife
c Finish off packing for “non-living” rooms.
You want to be completed for non-essential rooms such as the basement, garage, attic, utility rooms, etc. so you can focus on main living areas in the last weeks.
c Start eating up perishable food from freezer and refrigerator.
Consider holding a “Packing Party.”
Invite trusted friends over for a “Farewell Packing Party.” Provide free food and drinks, provide upbeat background music, and allow friends to tackle projects that require little supervision, such as packing books or pots and pans. Have friends take pictures and send you copies.
c Hold a yard sale.
You might be surprised to learn that you can earn a few hundred dollars by selling non-essential items, earning you cash and making your move more efficient.
Completing these tasks will have you well on your way to Moving Day success.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
List of Banned Packing Items
Yesterday I wrote about things you might not want to pack. Today I'm taking a different direction, focusing on things you aren't allowed to pack, at least not with commercial movers.
The basic ideas are pretty simple. Professional movers don't want to transport anything that:
That being said, here is a brief list of what is most often forbidden:
Aerosol cans
Avoid these items in your packing an you could save yourself big headaches later on! :-)
The basic ideas are pretty simple. Professional movers don't want to transport anything that:
- Can explode
- Could perish in the move
- Is highly flammable
- Is toxic
That being said, here is a brief list of what is most often forbidden:
Aerosol cans
- Ammonia
- Ammunition
- Batteries
- Bleach
- Candles
- Charcoal
- Chemicals
- Fertilizer
- Firearms
- Fireworks (even the little ones)
- Filled gas tanks/ fuel tanks
- Gasoline
- Kerosene
- Lawn equipment (if tanks aren't emptied)
- Lighters and lighter fluid
- Matches
- Nail polish remover
- Oxygen
- Paint remover
- Polyurethane
- Pesticides
- Plants and produce
- Sturno cans
- Turpentine
- Varnish
Avoid these items in your packing an you could save yourself big headaches later on! :-)
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