Ways to Pack Like a Pro
With the best materials and expert guidance from us, you can pack your whole home effectively and effectively.
If you choose to do your own packing, it can be a real money saver. However, it takes extra time and energy to obtain the task done right. The following guide will provide ways for you to free yourself from moving tension and pack like an expert!
To get started, make sure you have adequate products of:
Tissue paper
Loading paper (plain newsprint).
2" packing tape.
Permanent markers.
Professional quality boxes (readily available from your representative).
Utility knife and scissors.
It's All About the Boxes.
Using brand-new, quality packaging materials specifically created for moving can make sure that your home shows up safely. North American Van Lines has a wide variety of boxes and expert packing materials readily available:.
1.5 cu. ft. containers Small carton for heavy products such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes.
3.0 cu. ft. containers Medium utility container typically used for pots and pans, toys, and little home appliances.
4.5 cu. ft. cartons For bulky products, such as toys, linens or towels.
6.0 cu. ft. cartons For large, large, or light-weight articles, such as pillows or big lampshades.
Closet cartons A "portable closet" that keeps draperies and clothing holding on a built-in bar.
Mirror cartons Numerous sizes of telescoping containers for framed pictures, mirrors or glass.
Bed mattress containers Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. A different container is required for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Sturdy container used for crystal, glass wares and dishes/china.
Double-wall containers Additional protective cartons made specifically for fine china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to change products.
Stretchwrap A special plastic covering that securely sticks to furniture and secures it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your agent about products offered for purchase.
You will generally discover poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packing tape to be the most reliable to seal boxes. Do not use masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packaging Preparation.
When packing yourself, have whatever properly loaded and ready for filling the evening prior to moving day. Exclude just the things you'll need that night, the next morning, and immediately at your destination for last-minute packaging.
Basic standards to make packing a breeze:.
Make a schedule, enabling adequate time preceeding moving day.
Pack products in the garage, attic, or basement first - these products usually aren't required right away.
Stay arranged by packing space by room.
Designate work locations in each room.
When a space is finished, sort cartons by light, medium, and heavy - restrict your heaviest cartons to 50 pounds each.
Plainly label cartons or products that you do not wish to transfer on the van.
Pack for Success.
It's suggested that your packer manage the following:.
Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or bigger.
Pool table.
Large, fragile products like big trophies, statues, chandeliers, and so on
Major home appliances.
Here are a few more ideas for an effective pack:.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would pierce or damage other products.
Keep all parts or sets of things together - for example, drape rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other small hardware products should be put in plastic bags and taped securely to the short article to which they belong.
Load small, delicate, separately wrapped products independently or a few together in little boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place little boxes in a single large box, filling out areas with crushed paper.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on cartons Bonuses you desire to unpack first at your location.
Use newspaper just for cushioning; never place it versus products, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into fine china, so be cautious!
What Not to Load.
You ought to transfer irreplaceable and valuable items with you instead of on the truck. In addition, there are several items that can not be placed on the truck, such as dynamites, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives along with radioactive and other dangerous products.
Normal examples of items that can not be moved include:.
Nail polish eliminator.
Paints and paint slimmers.
Propane cylinders.
Automotive repair and upkeep chemicals.
Radio-pharmaceuticals.
Matches.
Lighter fluid.
Fuel.
Fireworks.
Oxygen bottles.
Other items not suggested for transportation on the van consist of:.
Firearms.
Family pictures.
Food in glass containers and perishable foods.
Prescription drugs needed for immediate usage.
If you have any concerns, just ask your Relocation Specialist.
Transportation products of individual importance or emotional worth with you, such as:.
Money.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Crucial personal papers (i.e., deeds, wills).
Negotiable documents (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Precious jewelry.
Moving files.
Labeling Hints.
Each and every moving carton should be identified utilizing the following techniques:.
Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Clearly mark the contents and the room it will be put in.
Show "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS WIND UP" where appropriate.
Consist of the costs of lading number from your moving company on every box if available.
As you finish with each moving carton, list the contents on the side of the container (for simple watching while stacked) and in an unique note pad. You might wish to number and/or code the moving cartons as well.
Suggest your name and the space to which each moving container needs to be delivered at destination. Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels so movers can get the cartons into the appropriate spaces rapidly.
Put an unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on moving containers you desire to unload initially at location.
Tips From the Pros.
Start with out-of-season products. Next, pack things utilized infrequently. Leave until the last minute things you'll need until moving day.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items while moving.
Pack similar items together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the same moving carton with cast-iron frying pans.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together. Curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other little hardware products need to be positioned in plastic bags and taped or connected firmly to the post to which they belong.
Wind electrical cables, securing them so they do not hang.
Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate products. Colored covering paper accentuates really little things that might otherwise get lost in a moving carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
Location a 2- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of containers for cushioning.
Develop up the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium-weight next, and lightest on top.
As each layer is finished, fill in voids securely with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or use sheets of cardboard cut from moving containers as dividers.
Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and light-weight blankets might likewise be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the product, the more cushioning required. Make certain no sharp points, rims or edges are left uncovered.
Pack small, vulnerable, individually-wrapped products independently or a couple of together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place little boxes in a single big box, filling out spaces with crushed paper.
Avoid straining moving containers, however aim for a firm pack that will prevent products from moving; the cover ought to close easily without force, but need to not flex inward.
Seal moving cartons tightly with tape except for those consisting of products that should be left open for the van line operator's inspection.
The following guide will supply methods for you to totally free yourself from moving stress and pack like an expert!
Start with out-of-season products. Wrap items individually in tidy paper; usage tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate products. Colored covering paper draws attention to extremely small things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning required.