How to Load Like a Pro
With the ideal materials and professional guidance 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 packaging. Nevertheless, it takes additional energy and time to obtain the task done right. The following guide will supply methods for you to free 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 large variety of boxes and expert packaging 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 utility carton often used for pots and pans, toys, and small appliances.
4.5 cu. ft. containers For large products, such as toys, towels or linens.
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 clothing and drapes 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 baby crib sizes. A separate carton is necessary for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Strong container utilized for dishes/china, glasses and crystal.
Double-wall containers Additional protective cartons made especially for fine china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to change products.
Stretchwrap A special plastic covering that safely adheres to furniture and secures it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your representative about materials available for purchase.
You will generally discover poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packaging tape to be the most effective to seal boxes. Do not use masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packaging Preparation.
When loading yourself, have everything effectively loaded and prepared for loading the night prior to moving day. Exclude only the important things you'll require that night, the next morning, and immediately at your location for last-minute packing.
Basic standards to make loading a snap:.
Make a schedule, allowing adequate time preceeding moving day.
Pack products in the attic, garage, or basement very first - these items usually aren't required immediately.
Stay organized by loading room by room.
Designate workspace in each room.
When a space 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 carry on the van.
Pack for Success.
It's advised that your packer deal with the following:.
Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or bigger.
Pool table.
Bulky, vulnerable items like big prizes, statues, chandeliers, etc
Significant appliances.
Here are a couple of more ideas 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 pairs 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 items separately or a couple of together in small boxes, cushioning with shredded or crushed paper. Place little boxes in a single large box, completing spaces with crushed paper.
Put an unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on cartons you desire to unpack initially at your destination.
Usage newspaper just for cushioning; never position it against products, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into fine china, so beware!
What Not to Load.
You should transfer valuable 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 along with radioactive and other harmful materials.
Common examples of items that can not be moved consist of:.
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 transport on the van consist of:.
Firearms.
Household photos.
Food in glass containers and disposable foods.
Prescription drugs needed for instant use.
Just ask your Moving Expert if you have any questions.
Transportation items of personal value or sentimental worth with you, such as:.
Cash.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Essential individual papers (i.e., deeds, wills).
Negotiable documents (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Jewelry.
Moving files.
Identifying Hints.
Each and every moving container needs to be labeled utilizing the following strategies:.
Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Plainly mark the contents and the space it will be placed in.
Suggest "FRAGILE" on Check This Out delicates; "THIS WIND UP" where appropriate.
Consist of the bill of lading number from your moving company on every box if readily available.
As you finish with each moving carton, list the contents on the side of the container (for simple viewing while stacked) and in an unique note pad. You might want to number and/or code the moving containers.
Show your name and the room to which each moving container needs to be delivered at destination. Tape an indication on the door of each space at destination corresponding to the container identifies so movers can get the cartons into the proper spaces 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 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 pierce or damage other items while moving.
Load 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 sets of things together. Drape rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items ought to be put in plastic bags and taped or connected firmly to the article to which they belong.
Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
Wrap products separately in tidy paper; usage tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping paper accentuates really little things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. Use 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 the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium-weight next, and lightest on top.
As each layer is finished, fill in empty areas 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 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 little boxes, cushioning with shredded or crushed paper. Location little boxes in a single big box, completing areas with crushed paper.
Prevent straining moving containers, however pursue a company pack that will avoid products from moving; the cover needs to close quickly without force, but ought to not bend inward.
Seal moving containers tightly with tape except for those containing items that must be exposed for the van line this content operator's examination.
The following guide will supply methods for you to complimentary yourself from moving tension and pack like an expert!
Start with out-of-season products. Wrap products separately in tidy paper; usage tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for great china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a moving carton. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning required.