Category Archives: ~Moving

MOVING: Packing The Kitchen

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How to Pack Kitchen Items

  • Use the original boxes for small appliances like a microwave or toaster (if you have them). Or, follow these detailed steps to pack small appliances safely.
  • Wrap breakables in packing paper, foam wrap, or Bubble Wrap® for much-needed protection. Pot holders and dish towels can also double as extra cushioning.
  • Pack dishes in dish pack boxes that include partitions to keep glasses, bowls, plates and other pieces in place during transit. Watch our video for examples of how to carefully pack dishes and china.
  • Wrap fine silver in cloth or silver paper. For tips on how to move everyday cutlery, check out our tips on how to pack silverware.

SOURCE: http://www.upack.com/moving-resources/packing-tips.asp

MOVING: How To Pack – Tips

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How to Pack for a Move

Let’s look at a few general packing tips to get started, then break it down by room or specific item.

  • Start packing early. To make the job manageable, begin boxing up the items you use less frequently—like books, knickknacks, or seasonal items—a few weeks before your move date. Save everyday use items until the end.
  • Prepare your boxes for moving. Reinforce the bottom of every box with packing tape, then line the box with crushed packing paper for extra cushion. Use more paper as ‘filler’ to eliminate empty spaces.
  • Make the most of each box. The less space your items have to move around in the box, the lower the chance of damage, so pack as much as you can into each box. This will also make loading easier—uniform boxes stack much better than odd-shaped items that aren’t boxed up.
  • Label boxes well. Pack each room in separate boxes and clearly mark the box with the contents and what room it’s destined for.
  • Pack heavy items in small boxes. Overweight boxes are difficult to lift, and could cause injury. Keep the weight of the boxes at a manageable level with this technique (especially helpful when you’re packing books).
  • Leave light-weight linens and clothing in their drawers. This is a big time (and space) saver!
  • Pack extra linens or pillows in large kitchen trash bags. Then use the bags as cushions or fillers as you load.
  • Disassemble as many items as you can. Remove feet or legs from furniture, take lampshades off of the base, etc. This makes it much easier to load your items into the moving container.
  • Pack valuables and essentials separately. Jewelry, medications, daily toiletries and important documents are items we recommend that you keep with you during the move.

 

SOURCE: http://www.upack.com/moving-resources/packing-tips.asp

MOVING: Recommended Packing Supplies

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Recommended Packing Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need to protect your items while they travel to your new home:

  • Moving boxes: Boxes come in all shapes and sizes, including some designed to make moving specific items easier (like wardrobe boxes, lamp boxes, TV boxes and dish pack boxes). We recommend choosing a moving kit that includes an assortment of boxes to accommodate the various items in your home.
  • Packing paper: These large sheets of plain paper are perfect for rolling and wrapping your items to protect them during the move. And here’s a pro tip—line your boxes with crushed packing paper to provide extra cushioning for the contents.
  • Moving blankets: Choose from three different blanket styles to protect your items from scratches and dust while you’re moving. And when the move is over, you’ll be surprised how many uses you’ll find for them around the house (as a picnic blanket or pet blanket, in your car emergency kit, and more).
  • Mattress covers and furniture covers: Keep furniture and mattresses clean and dry during transit with protective plastic covers.
  • Stretch wrap: For items that won’t pack easily in a moving box (or just don’t fit), stretch wrap will do the job. Use it to bundle large items together (like bedrails) or to keep small items in place in their container.
  • Packing tape: This one is pretty self-explanatory—tape up your moving boxes well to avoid a fallout!

 

SOURCE: http://www.upack.com/moving-resources/packing-tips.asp

MOVING: Protecting Yourself

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Protecting Yourself While You’re Loading

While there are certainly things you can do to ensure your belongings travel safely to your new home, you’ll also want to ensure an injury-free moving day. Share the tips below with anyone planning to help with loading or unloading your shipment.

  • Have someone available to help lift heavy items. Don’t overdo it. If you have to strain to carry the load, it’s too heavy.
  • If you need assistance with loading or unloading, ask your U-Pack representative; we can help!
  • If you have heavy items, consider using a dolly.
  • Avoid wearing clothing that may get snagged while carrying furniture out of doorways and into the moving truck.
  • Wear leather gloves when handling large, heavy objects with sharp edges (you’ll need these for installing the trailer ramp and bulkhead, too. See U-Pack’s ramp set-up and ramp removal instructions and bulkhead installation instructions).
  • Wear durable, supportive footwear with a good grip (avoid sandals or open-toed shoes).
  • Pace yourself. If you have a lot to move, take small breaks throughout the process.
  • Make sure you can see where you’re walking.
  • Avoid walking on slippery, uneven surfaces.
  • Bend your knees – not from your waist – when picking up and setting down objects.
  • Always lift with your legs and not with your back.
  • Keep your back as straight and vertical as possible – don’t arch your back or reach out for an object.
  • Get a firm footing before picking up a heavy object (parting your feet and putting one foot slightly in front of the other helps give you good balance).
  • When lifting, stand close to the item with your feet shoulder-width apart, elbows tucked in, and chin down.
  • Use slow and smooth movements.
  • Keep your body facing the object while you lift it – avoid twisting.
  • Try to carry the object in the space between your shoulder and waist; this puts less strain on your back.
  • When using a dolly, make sure the blades are centered and completely under the load.
  • Always walk with the dolly in front of you and keep the load balanced, with heavier items on the bottom.
  • Avoid loading items onto the dolly higher than chest-level.
  • When going up or down the ramp or steps, have a second person help support the item.

 

SOURCE: http://www.upack.com/moving-resources/loading-tips.asp

MOVING: Loading The Moving Truck

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Loading Your Items

  • Make sure you have an obstacle-free route from the door to the moving trailer/ReloCube.
  • Lay a tarp or plastic wrap on the floor of the trailer to protect against dust/dirt.
  • Designate one or two people to remain on the truck while the others are carrying items. They will be responsible for stacking and loading everything tightly.
  • Begin by loading into the front of the truck (near the cab) and work your way toward the back.
  • Stack items from floor to ceiling, putting heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on the top.
  • Create 2′ – 3′ tiers as you are loading. Each tier should be close to the top of the trailer/ReloCube ceiling before beginning the next tier.
  • “Square” the load by creating a flat surface with boxes. This makes each level easier to stack.
  • Pack items tight, like a jigsaw puzzle – all space should be filled to avoid shifting in transit. Use “fillers” for any open space.
  • Tie each tier off with ratchet straps/rope, etc. to secure.
  • Load the largest, heaviest furniture and appliances first (against the walls to help distribute the weight evenly throughout the truck). The sofa/loveseat should be placed on end if possible. If the legs are not removable, point them toward the wall and pack “fillers” in the space between the wall and the sofa/loveseat (don’t forget to wrap each item).
  • Remove cushions from the couch and wrap or place in plastic bags.
  • Place wrapped pictures and mirrors upright between mattresses.
  • Place wrapped headboards and footboards between mattresses (not the same mattress your pictures/mirrors are between).
  • Remove drawers and contents of drawers before moving desks, cabinets or dressers. Once the items are loaded on to the truck, replace the drawers and secure with self-adhesive plastic wrap.
  • Make sure items that could potentially cause damage are not loaded against fabric or wood furniture. For example, a piece with protruding metal could puncture a sofa or mattress.
  • Avoid loading thin-legged tables on bottom; they may not be able to handle the weight of items loaded on top.
  • Avoid loading the feet of an item directly on top of a finished piece of furniture; this could dent or puncture the finish.
  • Avoid loading furniture against other furniture or truck walls without proper padding (furniture pads, paper pads, cardboard, etc.).
  • Load the heaviest and largest boxes first. Place them on top of appliances and furniture and fill any cavities beneath tables, desks and chair seats.
  • Stack lighter boxes on top of heaver boxes.
  • Place fragile items or awkward shaped items on last and secure tightly (make sure they’re marked “fragile”).
  • Place light-weight loose items like plastic plants, small rolled up rugs, bundled mops and brooms, etc. on top.
  • Rolled up rugs, bags of linens, etc., can be used to help fill void areas.
  • Keep gas operated items like lawn mowers, weed eaters, etc., on the truck floor, covered with tarp or plastic sheeting and away from fabric items (after you drain flammable fluids).
  • When moving motorcycles, riding lawn mowers or small ATVs use strong ratchet straps to secure the items and ensure they stay in place during transit. If moving in a trailer, we recommend nailing wooden blocks into the trailer floor for added bracing. All fuel must be completely drained.
  • Use ratchet straps/rope/cord, etc., throughout the process to keep items safe in secure. While strapping it all in at the end is important, it’s just as important to secure the items as you load.• Make sure you have an obstacle-free route from the door to the moving trailer.