The best ways to Pack Like a Pro
With the right materials and skilled guidance from us, you can pack your entire home successfully and efficiently.
It can be a real cash saver if you choose to do your own packaging. It takes extra time and energy to get the job done. The following guide will supply methods for you to free yourself from moving stress and pack like an expert!
To obtain started, make sure you have sufficient 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.
Utilizing brand-new, quality packaging materials specifically developed for moving can guarantee that your home or business arrives safely. North American Van Lines has a large range of boxes and expert packaging products available:.
1.5 cu. ft. containers Small carton for heavy items such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes.
3.0 cu. ft. containers Medium energy container often used for pots and pans, toys, and small home appliances.
4.5 cu. ft. containers For large products, such as towels, toys or linens.
6.0 cu. ft. containers For big, large, or lightweight articles, such as pillows or large lampshades.
Wardrobe cartons A "portable closet" that keeps clothes and drapes holding on an integrated bar.
Mirror cartons Numerous sizes of telescoping containers for framed images, mirrors or glass.
Bed mattress cartons Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. A separate carton is necessary for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Heavy responsibility carton used for dishes/china, crystal and glasses.
Double-wall containers Bonus protective containers made particularly for great china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to change products.
Stretchwrap An unique plastic covering that securely complies with furnishings and secures it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your representative about products readily available for purchase.
You will usually discover poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packaging tape to be the most efficient to seal boxes. Do not utilize masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packaging Preparation.
When packing yourself, have everything correctly packed and ready for loading the eve moving day. Neglect just the important things you'll require that night, the next early morning, and instantly at your location for last-minute packing.
Fundamental guidelines to make packing a snap:.
Make a schedule, permitting adequate time preceeding moving day.
Load products in the attic, garage, or basement very first - these products normally aren't needed right away.
Stay organized by packing space by space.
Designate work locations in each room.
When a room is completed, sort containers by light, medium, and heavy - restrict your heaviest containers to 50 pounds each.
Clearly label cartons or items that you do not desire to carry on the van.
Load for Success.
It's suggested that your packer handle the following:.
Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or bigger.
Swimming pool table.
Bulky, fragile items like big prizes, statues, chandeliers, etc
Major appliances.
Here are a couple of more ideas for a successful pack:.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would pierce or harm other products.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together - for example, drape rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items need to be put in plastic bags and taped safely to the article to which they belong.
Load little, delicate, individually covered products individually or a few together in little boxes, cushioning with shredded or crushed paper. Place small boxes in a single big box, filling out spaces with crushed paper.
Put an unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on containers you wish to unpack initially at your destination.
Use paper just for cushioning; never position it versus items, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into great china, so be mindful!
What Not to Pack.
You should carry irreplaceable and valuable products with you rather than on the truck. In addition, there are several products that can not be placed on the truck, such as explosives, compressed gases, combustible liquids and useful reference solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives as well as other and radioactive dangerous materials.
Case in points of items that can not be moved include:.
Nail polish eliminator.
Paints and paint thinners.
Gas cylinders.
Automotive repair work and maintenance chemicals.
Radio-pharmaceuticals.
Matches.
Lighter fluid.
Fuel.
Fireworks.
Oxygen bottles.
Other items not recommended for transportation on the van include:.
Guns.
Family photos.
Food in glass containers and perishable foods.
Prescription drugs required for immediate use.
If you have any concerns, just ask your Moving Specialist.
Transport products of personal importance or nostalgic value with you, such as:.
Money.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Essential individual papers (i.e., deeds, wills).
Negotiable documents (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Jewelry.
Moving files.
Labeling Tips.
Each and every moving carton needs to be labeled utilizing the following methods:.
Utilize a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Clearly mark the contents and the space it will be put in.
Indicate "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS WIND UP" where appropriate.
Consist of the bill of lading number from your moving business on every box if available.
As you complete with each moving carton, list the contents on the side of the container (for easy watching while stacked) and in an unique notebook. You may wish to number and/or code the moving containers also.
Indicate your name and the space to which each moving carton must be delivered at destination. Tape an indication on the door of each room at location corresponding to the container labels so movers can get the containers into the correct rooms rapidly.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on moving containers you want to unpack initially at destination.
Tips From the Pros.
Start with out-of-season products. Next, pack things used rarely. Leave till the last minute things you'll need till moving day.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would pierce or harm other items while moving.
Load similar products together. Do not pack a fragile china figurine in the very same moving carton with cast-iron frying pans.
Keep all parts or sets of things together. For example, curtain rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items need to be placed in plastic bags and taped or connected firmly to the article to which they belong.
Wind electrical cables, attaching them so they do not dangle.
Wrap products separately in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels, or perhaps facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate products. Colored covering paper draws attention to extremely little things that might otherwise get lost in a moving carton. Utilize a double layer of newsprint for an excellent outer wrapping.
Place a 2- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
Develop 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 containers as More about the author dividers.
Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets might also be used for cushioning and cushioning. The more delicate the item, the more cushioning required. Make sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left exposed.
Pack little, delicate, individually-wrapped items independently or a few together in little boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place little boxes in a single big box, filling out areas with crushed paper.
Prevent overloading moving cartons, however make every effort for a firm pack that will prevent items from moving; the cover needs to close quickly without force, however need to not bend inward.
Seal moving containers firmly with tape except for those including products that need to be exposed for the van line operator's evaluation.
The following guide will offer methods for you to complimentary yourself from moving tension and pack like a professional!
Start with out-of-season items. Wrap items separately in tidy paper; usage tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and fragile items. Colored covering paper draws attention to this website really little things that might otherwise get lost in a moving carton. The more delicate the product, the more cushioning needed.