The best ways to Pack Like a Pro
With the best products and skilled assistance from us, you can load your entire house successfully and efficiently.
It can be a real money saver if you decide to do your own packaging. Nevertheless, it takes additional time and energy to get the job done right. The following guide will offer ways for you to free yourself from moving tension and pack like an expert!
To obtain started, make sure you have adequate products of:
Tissue paper
Packing paper (plain newsprint).
2" packing tape.
Permanent markers.
Expert quality boxes (offered from your agent).
Utility knife and scissors.
It's Everything about the Boxes.
Utilizing new, quality packaging products specifically designed for moving can make sure that your residential or commercial property shows up safely. North American Van Lines has a vast array of boxes and professional packaging products available:.
1.5 cu. ft. containers Little carton for heavy products such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes.
3.0 cu. ft. containers Medium utility container frequently used for pans and pots, toys, and small appliances.
4.5 cu. ft. containers For bulky products, such as toys, towels or linens.
6.0 cu. ft. cartons For large, large, or lightweight posts, such as pillows or large lampshades.
Closet cartons A "portable closet" that keeps draperies and clothing hanging on an integrated bar.
Mirror cartons A number of sizes of telescoping containers for framed photos, mirrors or glass.
Mattress containers Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. A different carton is needed for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Sturdy container used for crystal, dishes/china and glass wares.
Double-wall containers Additional protective containers made particularly for great china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to replace products.
Stretchwrap A special plastic covering that securely adheres to furnishings and protects it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your agent about products available for purchase.
You will typically find poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packaging tape to be the most reliable to seal boxes. Do not use masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packing Preparation.
When loading yourself, have everything effectively loaded and ready for filling the evening before moving day. Overlook only the important things you'll require that night, the next morning, and right away at your destination for last-minute packaging.
Fundamental guidelines to make loading a snap:.
Make a schedule, permitting sufficient time leading up to moving day.
Load items in the basement, attic, or garage very first - these items generally aren't needed right now.
Stay organized by loading room by space.
Designate workspace in each space.
When a room is finished, sort cartons by light, medium, and heavy - restrict your heaviest containers to 50 pounds each.
Clearly label containers or items that you do not wish to transport on the van.
Load for Success.
It's recommended that your packer deal with the following:.
Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall accessories and mirrors 40" x 60" or larger.
Swimming pool table.
Bulky, delicate products like large prizes, statues, chandeliers, etc
Major devices.
Here are a few more tips for a successful pack:.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable products and anything that would pierce or damage other products.
Keep all parts or sets of things together - for example, drape rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other small hardware products need to be placed in plastic bags and taped safely to the post to which they belong.
Pack small, vulnerable, individually wrapped products independently or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with shredded or crushed paper. here Place small boxes in a single big box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
Put an unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on containers you want to unpack first at your location.
Usage newspaper only for cushioning; never ever position it versus items, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into fine china, so be cautious!
What Not to Load.
You should transport irreplaceable and important products with you instead of on the truck. In addition, there are several items that can not be put on the truck, such as dynamites, compressed gases, combustible liquids and solids, oxidizers, toxins, corrosives along with radioactive and other hazardous materials.
Common examples of products that can not be moved consist of:.
Nail polish eliminator.
Paints and paint slimmers.
Propane cylinders.
Automotive repair and maintenance chemicals.
Radio-pharmaceuticals.
Matches.
Lighter fluid.
Gasoline.
Fireworks.
Oxygen bottles.
Other items not suggested for transportation on the van consist of:.
Guns.
Household images.
Food in glass containers and disposable foods.
Prescription drugs required for instant use.
If you have any questions, just ask your Relocation Consultant.
Transport items of personal importance or sentimental value with you, such as:.
Cash.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Important personal papers (i.e., deeds, wills).
Negotiable documents (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Precious jewelry.
Moving files.
Identifying Tips.
Each and every moving container should be identified utilizing the following methods:.
Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Clearly mark the contents and the room it will be placed in.
Indicate "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS WIND UP" where proper.
If readily available, consist of the expense of lading number from your moving company on every box.
As you end up with each moving container, list the contents on the side of the carton (for easy viewing while stacked) and in an unique note pad. You may desire to number and/or code the moving cartons.
Indicate your name and the room to which each moving container must be delivered at destination. Tape a sign on the door of each space at location corresponding to the carton identifies so movers can get the containers into the proper rooms rapidly.
Put an unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on moving cartons you want to unload first at location.
Tips From the Pros.
Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things utilized infrequently. Leave up until the last minute things you'll need up until moving day.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other products while moving.
Load similar items together. Do not pack a fragile china figurine in the same moving carton with cast-iron frying pans, for instance.
Keep all parts or sets of things together. Drape rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items must be positioned in plastic bags and taped or connected securely to the article to which they belong.
Wind electrical cords, here securing them so they do not hang.
Wrap products separately in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and fragile products. Colored covering paper draws attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a moving container. Utilize a double layer of newsprint for an excellent external wrapping.
Location a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
Build up the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium-weight next, and lightest on top.
As each layer is completed, fill in voids securely with crushed paper and include more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or utilize sheets of cardboard cut from moving containers as dividers.
Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and light-weight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Make sure no sharp points, rims or edges are left exposed.
Load little, vulnerable, individually-wrapped products independently or a couple of together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
Avoid overwhelming moving cartons, but aim for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover must close quickly without force, however must not flex inward.
Seal moving containers firmly with tape other than for those including products that should be left open for the van line operator's assessment.
The following guide will offer methods for you to totally free yourself from moving tension and pack like an expert!
Start with out-of-season items. Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to very little things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. The more vulnerable the product, the more cushioning required.