The best ways to Pack Like a Pro
With the right materials and professional assistance from us, you can load your entire home effectively and effectively.
It can be a real cash saver if you decide to do your own packing. Nevertheless, it takes additional energy and time to obtain the task done right. The following guide will supply methods for you to complimentary yourself from moving stress and pack like a professional!
To get started, make sure you have ample supplies of:
Tissue paper
Packing paper (plain newsprint).
2" packing tape.
Permanent markers.
Professional quality boxes (available from your agent).
Utility knife and scissors.
It's All About the Boxes.
Using new, quality packing materials specifically designed for moving can ensure that your property arrives safely. North American Van Lines has a vast array of boxes and professional packing products readily available:.
1.5 cu. ft. containers Little container for heavy products such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes.
3.0 cu. ft. containers Medium energy carton frequently used for pots and pans, toys, and small appliances.
4.5 cu. ft. cartons For large products, such as linens, towels or toys.
6.0 cu. ft. containers For big, large, or light-weight short articles, such as pillows or large lampshades.
Wardrobe cartons A "portable closet" that keeps drapes and clothing hanging on a built-in bar.
Mirror cartons Several sizes of telescoping cartons for framed images, mirrors or glass.
Bed mattress containers Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. A separate carton is necessary for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Sturdy container utilized for crystal, dishes/china and glassware.
Double-wall containers Additional protective cartons made especially for great china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to change items.
Stretchwrap A special plastic covering that safely adheres to furnishings and secures it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your agent about materials readily available for purchase.
You will usually discover poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packing tape to be the most effective to seal boxes. Do not utilize masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packaging Preparation.
When packing yourself, have whatever appropriately packed and ready for filling the night before moving day. Leave out just the important things you'll need that night, the next morning, and right away at your destination for last-minute packing.
Standard standards to make packing a snap:.
Make a schedule, permitting sufficient time leading up to moving day.
Load products in the garage, attic, or basement first - these products normally aren't needed right away.
Stay arranged by packing room by space.
Designate work areas in each space.
When a space is completed, sort containers by light, medium, and heavy - restrict your heaviest cartons to 50 pounds each.
Plainly label containers or products that you do not wish to transport 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 larger.
Pool table.
Bulky, delicate products like big trophies, statues, chandeliers, etc
Major home appliances.
Here are a couple of more tips for an effective pack:.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together - for instance, drape rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other little hardware products need to be placed in plastic bags and taped securely to the article to which they belong.
Pack small, delicate, individually covered products individually or a couple of together in little boxes, cushioning with shredded or crushed paper. Location small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on cartons you want to unpack first at your destination.
Use newspaper only for cushioning; never place it against items, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into fine china, so be careful!
What Not to Pack.
You should transport irreplaceable and important products with you instead of on the truck. In addition, there are numerous products that can not be placed on the truck, such as dynamites, compressed gases, combustible liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives in addition to radioactive and other hazardous materials.
Typical examples of items that can not be moved consist of:.
Nail polish eliminator.
Paints and paint slimmers.
Lp cylinders.
Automotive repair work and maintenance chemicals.
Radio-pharmaceuticals.
Matches.
Lighter fluid.
Gasoline.
Fireworks.
Oxygen bottles.
Other items not recommended for transportation on the van consist of:.
Guns.
Household pictures.
Food in glass jars and perishable foods.
Prescription More Bonuses drugs required for instant usage.
If you have any questions, just ask your Relocation Expert.
Transport products of individual significance or sentimental value with you, such as:.
Money.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Crucial personal papers (i.e., deeds, wills).
Negotiable documents (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Fashion jewelry.
Moving documents.
Labeling Tips.
Each and every moving container should be labeled utilizing the following methods:.
Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Clearly mark the contents and the space it will be put in.
Show "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS WIND UP" where appropriate.
If available, include the costs of lading number from your moving company on every box.
As you end up with each moving carton, list the contents on the side of the carton (for simple watching while stacked) and in a special note pad. You may wish to number and/or code the moving containers too.
Suggest your name and the space to which each moving carton must be provided 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 initially at destination.
Tips From the Pros.
Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used occasionally. Leave until the last minute things you'll need up until moving day.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable products and anything that would pierce or damage other items while moving.
Pack comparable products together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the exact same moving container with cast-iron fry pans, for example.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together. Drape rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other small hardware products ought to be positioned in plastic bags and taped or tied safely to the article to which they belong.
Wind electrical cords, attaching them so they do not dangle.
Wrap products individually in tidy paper; use tissue paper, paper towels, and even facial tissue for great china, check it out crystal and delicate products. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to really small things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. Use a double layer of newsprint for a great external wrapping.
Place a 2- 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 finished, fill in voids firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or utilize sheets of cardboard cut from moving cartons as dividers.
Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets may likewise be utilized for cushioning and cushioning. The more vulnerable the product, the more cushioning required. Make certain no sharp points, rims or edges are left exposed.
Load little, vulnerable, individually-wrapped items separately or a few 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 overloading moving cartons, but aim for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover ought to close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
Seal moving cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items that need to be exposed for the van line operator's inspection.
The following guide will provide methods for you to complimentary yourself from moving tension and pack like an expert!
Start with out-of-season products. Wrap products separately 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 really little things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. The more delicate the product, the more cushioning needed.