How to Load Like a Pro
With the right materials and expert guidance from us, you can pack your whole home effectively and effectively.
If you choose to do your very own packing, it can be a real money saver. It takes additional time and energy to get the task done. The following guide will offer ways for you to free yourself from moving tension and pack like an expert!
To obtain started, make sure you have ample products of:
Tissue paper
Loading paper (plain newsprint).
2" loading tape.
Long-term markers.
Professional quality boxes (available from your representative).
Energy knife and scissors.
It's All About the Boxes.
Using new, quality packaging products specifically designed for moving can make sure that your house shows up safely. North American Van Lines has a large range of boxes and expert packing materials readily available:.
1.5 cu. ft. containers Small carton for heavy products such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes.
3.0 cu. ft. containers Medium utility carton typically utilized for pots and pans, toys, and small devices.
4.5 cu. ft. containers For bulky products, such as linens, towels or toys.
6.0 cu. ft. containers For large, bulky, or light-weight short articles, such as pillows or large lampshades.
Closet containers A "portable closet" that keeps drapes and clothes hanging on an integrated bar.
Mirror cartons A number of sizes of telescoping cartons for framed images, mirrors or glass.
Mattress cartons Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and baby crib sizes. A separate carton is essential for box springs.
Dishpack (or China Barrel) Heavy responsibility carton utilized for dishes/china, glass wares and crystal.
Double-wall containers Bonus protective containers made especially for fine china, crystal, and other high-value, hard-to replace items.
Stretchwrap An unique plastic covering that securely complies with furniture and protects it from snags, tears, and dirt.
You can ask your agent about materials offered for purchase.
You will normally discover poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) packaging tape to be the most reliable to seal boxes. Do not utilize masking tape or narrow cellophane tape.
Packaging Preparation.
When loading yourself, have everything properly packed and ready for loading the evening before moving day. Exclude only the things you'll need that night, the next morning, and instantly at your destination for last-minute packing.
Fundamental guidelines to make packing a snap:.
Make a schedule, enabling enough time leading up to moving day.
Pack items in the garage, attic, or basement very first - these items typically aren't needed right away.
Stay organized by packing space by space.
Designate workspace in each space.
When a space is completed, sort cartons by light, medium, and heavy - limit your heaviest cartons to 50 pounds each.
Plainly label containers or products that you do not desire to transfer on the van.
Pack for Success.
It's recommended that your packer handle the following:.
Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall accessories and mirrors 40" x 60" or bigger.
Swimming pool table.
Bulky, fragile items like big prizes, statues, chandeliers, and so on
Major appliances.
Here are a few more tips for an effective 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 example, curtain rod wall mounts, mirror bolts, and other little hardware items should be positioned in plastic bags and taped firmly to visit the short article to which they belong.
Pack small, vulnerable, separately wrapped products independently or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with shredded or crushed paper. Location small boxes in a single large box, completing spaces with crushed paper.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on containers you desire to unpack initially at your location.
Use newspaper just for cushioning; never place it versus items, as the ink will rub off. It can even get embedded into fine china, so take care!
What Not to Pack.
You should transfer irreplaceable and important products with you rather than on the truck. In addition, there are numerous products that can not be put on the truck, such as dynamites, compressed gases, combustible liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives along with other and radioactive hazardous products.
Common examples of products that can not be moved consist of:.
Nail polish remover.
Paints and paint slimmers.
Propane 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 images.
Food in glass jars and disposable foods.
Prescription drugs needed for instant use.
Simply ask your Relocation Expert if you have any questions.
Transportation items of individual significance or nostalgic value with you, such as:.
Money.
Collections (i.e., coins).
Essential individual papers (i.e., deeds, wills).
Flexible papers (i.e., bonds, stocks, certificates).
Fashion jewelry.
Moving documents.
Identifying Tips.
Each and every moving container must be identified using the following methods:.
Utilize a broad, felt-tipped marker.
Clearly mark the contents and the space it will be placed in.
Suggest "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS WIND UP" where suitable.
Include the costs of lading number from your moving company on every box if offered.
As you end up 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 desire to number and/or code the moving cartons also.
Suggest your name and the space to which each moving carton must be provided 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 appropriate spaces quickly.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on moving containers you wish to unpack first at location.
Tips From the Pros.
Start with out-of-season products. Next, pack things used rarely. Leave till the last minute things you'll require until moving day.
Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would pierce or harm other items while moving.
Pack similar 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. For instance, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other small hardware products must be positioned in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the short article to which they belong.
Wind electrical cables, attaching them so they do not hang.
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 extremely little things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. Utilize a double layer of newsprint for an excellent external wrapping.
Location a 2- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of containers for cushioning.
Develop the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium-weight next, and lightest on top.
As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly 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 fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.
Load little, vulnerable, individually-wrapped products individually or a few together in little boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in areas with crushed paper.
Prevent straining moving cartons, however pursue a company pack that will avoid items from moving; the cover must close quickly without force, but need to not bend inward.
Seal moving containers firmly with tape except for those consisting of items that must be left open for the van line operator's evaluation.
The following guide will provide ways for you to complimentary yourself from moving stress and pack like an expert!
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 wrapping paper draws attention to really small things that may otherwise get lost in a moving container. The more delicate the item, the more cushioning required.