The best ways to Pack Like a Pro
With the best products and expert guidance from us, you can load your entire home effectively 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 provide ways for you to free yourself from moving stress and pack like a professional!
To get started, ensure you have sufficient materials of:
Tissue paper
Loading paper (plain newsprint).
2" loading tape.
Long-term markers.
Expert quality boxes (offered from your representative).
Energy knife and scissors.
It's Everything about the Boxes.
Utilizing brand-new, quality packaging products particularly developed for moving can guarantee that your house gets here securely. North American Van Lines has a vast array of boxes and expert packaging materials offered:.
1.5 cu. ft. cartons Small carton for heavy items such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes.
3.0 cu. ft. cartons Medium utility carton often utilized for pans and pots, toys, and little devices.
4.5 cu. ft. containers For large 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 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 baby crib sizes. A separate carton is necessary for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Sturdy container used for crystal, dishes/china and glass wares.
Double-wall cartons Additional protective cartons made particularly for fine china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to replace products.
Stretchwrap A special plastic covering that securely abides by furniture and safeguards it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your agent about materials readily available for purchase.
You will typically discover poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packing tape to be the most efficient to seal boxes. Do not utilize masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packing Preparation.
When loading yourself, have everything effectively packed and all set for loading the night prior to moving day. Leave out just the important things you'll need that night, the next early morning, and immediately at your destination for last-minute packaging.
Basic guidelines to make loading a breeze:.
Make a schedule, allowing sufficient time preceeding moving day.
Pack items in the basement, attic, or garage very first - these products usually aren't needed right now.
Stay arranged by packing room by space.
Designate workspace in each space.
When a space is completed, sort cartons by light, medium, and heavy - restrict your heaviest containers to 50 pounds each.
Clearly label cartons or items that you do not wish to carry on the van.
Pack for Success.
It's suggested that your packer deal with the following:.
Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall accessories and mirrors 40" x 60" or bigger.
Pool table.
Bulky, delicate products like big trophies, statues, chandeliers, etc
Major home appliances.
Here are a couple of more tips for a successful pack:.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other products.
Keep all parts or sets of things together - for instance, drape rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items ought to be put in plastic bags and taped safely to the post to which they belong.
Load little, vulnerable, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with shredded or crushed paper. Location little boxes in a single big box, completing areas with crushed paper.
Put an unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on containers you desire to unload initially at your destination.
Usage newspaper only for cushioning; never place it against items, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into fine china, so take care!
What Not to Pack.
You should transport irreplaceable and valuable items 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, toxins, corrosives along with other and radioactive harmful products.
Common examples of items that can not be moved include:.
Nail polish remover.
Paints and paint thinners.
Propane cylinders.
Automotive repair and upkeep chemicals.
Radio-pharmaceuticals.
Matches.
Lighter fluid.
Fuel.
Fireworks.
Oxygen bottles.
Other products not suggested for transportation on the van consist of:.
Firearms.
Household images.
Food in glass Get More Information containers and disposable foods.
Prescription drugs needed for instant usage.
If you have any questions, just ask your Relocation Consultant.
Transport products of personal significance or sentimental value with you, such as:.
Money.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Important individual papers (i.e., deeds, wills).
Negotiable documents (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Jewelry.
Moving files.
Labeling Tips.
Each and every moving carton must be labeled using the following strategies:.
Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Clearly mark the contents and the room it will be put in.
Show "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS END UP" where appropriate.
Include the expense of lading number from your moving business on every box if available.
As you complete with each moving container, list the contents on the side of the carton (for simple viewing while stacked) and in an unique note pad. You might wish to number and/or code the moving containers as well.
Indicate your name and the space to which each moving container should be delivered at location. Tape a sign on the door of each room at location representing the carton labels so movers can get the containers into the correct rooms quickly.
Put an unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on moving containers you want to unpack initially at location.
Tips From the Pros.
Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used rarely. Leave till the last minute things you'll need until moving day.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would pierce or harm other items while moving.
Pack comparable products together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the exact same moving container with cast-iron frying pans.
Keep all parts or sets of things together. Drape rod hangers, 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, securing them so they do not hang.
Wrap products separately in tidy paper; use tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored covering paper accentuates really little things that may otherwise get lost in a moving carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
Place a 2- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of containers for cushioning.
Construct 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 add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or use 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 product, 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 Get More Info 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 strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
Seal moving cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items that must 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 tidy paper; use tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to very small things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. The more vulnerable the product, the more cushioning required.