Ways to Pack Like a Pro
With the best products and skilled guidance from us, you can pack your whole house successfully and effectively.
If you decide to do your own packing, it can be a real cash saver. However, it takes extra time and energy to get the task done right. The following guide will supply methods for you to complimentary yourself from moving tension and pack like an expert!
To obtain begun, make sure you have ample supplies of:
Tissue paper
Packing paper (plain newsprint).
2" packing tape.
Permanent markers.
Professional quality boxes (offered 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 home shows up safely. North American Van Lines has a broad range of boxes and professional packing materials available:.
1.5 cu. ft. cartons Small container for heavy products such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes.
3.0 cu. ft. containers Medium energy container typically utilized for pans and pots, toys, and little home appliances.
4.5 cu. ft. cartons For bulky items, such as toys, linens or towels.
6.0 cu. ft. containers For big, large, or lightweight short articles, such as pillows or large lampshades.
Wardrobe cartons A "portable closet" that keeps clothing and drapes hanging on a built-in bar.
Mirror cartons Several sizes of telescoping cartons for framed pictures, mirrors or glass.
Bed mattress containers Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and baby crib sizes. A separate carton is necessary for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Strong container utilized for glassware, crystal and dishes/china.
Double-wall containers Bonus protective containers made particularly for fine china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to change products.
Stretchwrap An unique plastic covering that safely follows furniture and secures it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your representative about products available for purchase.
You will generally discover poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packaging tape to be the most efficient to seal boxes. Do not use masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packing Preparation.
When loading yourself, have actually everything properly loaded and prepared for packing the eve moving day. Overlook only the things you'll require that night, the next early morning, and instantly at your destination for last-minute packaging.
Fundamental guidelines to make loading a breeze:.
Make a schedule, enabling enough time preceeding moving day.
Load items in the garage, basement, or attic first - these products normally aren't needed right now.
Stay arranged by packing space 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 cartons or items that you do not desire to transfer on the van.
Pack for Success.
It's advised that your packer handle the following:.
Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall accessories and mirrors 40" x 60" or bigger.
Pool table.
Large, delicate items like big trophies, statues, chandeliers, and so on
Major appliances.
Here are a couple of more recommendations for a successful pack:.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable products and anything that would puncture or harm other items.
Keep all parts or sets of things together - for instance, curtain rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other small hardware products ought to be placed in plastic bags and taped safely to the article to which they belong.
Load small, vulnerable, individually covered products separately or a couple of together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Location small boxes in a single big box, filling in here areas with crushed paper.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on containers you wish to unload first at your destination.
Usage newspaper just for cushioning; never put it against products, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into fine china, so beware!
What Not to Pack.
You must transport important and irreplaceable products with you rather than on the truck. In addition, there are numerous items that can not be placed on the truck, such as explosives, compressed gases, combustible liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives in addition to radioactive and other dangerous materials.
Case in points of items that can not be moved include:.
Nail polish eliminator.
Paints and paint thinners.
Gas cylinders.
Automotive repair and upkeep chemicals.
Radio-pharmaceuticals.
Matches.
Lighter fluid.
Gasoline.
Fireworks.
Oxygen bottles.
Other products not recommended for transportation on the van consist of:.
Firearms.
Household photos.
Food in glass containers and perishable foods.
Prescription drugs required for immediate use.
If you have any concerns, just ask your Moving Consultant.
Transport products of individual significance or nostalgic value with you, such as:.
Money.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Crucial personal documents (i.e., deeds, wills).
Negotiable papers (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Precious jewelry.
Moving documents.
Identifying Hints.
Each and every moving carton needs to be labeled using the following strategies:.
Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Plainly mark the contents and the space it will be placed in.
Suggest "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS WIND UP" where appropriate.
If offered, consist of the bill of lading number from your moving business on every box.
As you finish with each moving container, list the contents on the side of the container (for easy watching while stacked) and in an unique notebook. You may desire to number and/or code the moving containers.
Show 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 wish to unload initially at destination.
Tips From the Pros.
Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things utilized 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 puncture or damage other items while moving.
Load comparable items together. Do not pack a fragile china figurine in the very same moving carton with cast-iron frying pans, for example.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together. Curtain rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other little hardware products should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied safely to the post to which they belong.
Wind electrical cables, attaching them so they do not dangle.
Wrap items individually in clean paper; usage tissue paper, paper towels, or perhaps facial tissue for great china, crystal and fragile items. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to get more info extremely little things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. Utilize a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons 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 strongly 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 cartons as dividers.
Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more delicate the item, the more cushioning required. Make sure no sharp points, rims or edges are left exposed.
Load little, vulnerable, individually-wrapped products independently or a couple of together in little 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 pursue a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover ought to close easily without force, but ought to not bend inward.
Seal moving cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items that must be left open for the van line operator's evaluation.
The following guide will provide ways for you to free yourself from moving stress and pack like a professional!
Start with out-of-season items. Wrap products separately in tidy paper; usage tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for great china, crystal and fragile products. Colored covering paper draws attention to extremely small things that might otherwise get lost in a moving carton. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed.