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| Planning Your Move |
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| Packing your Boxes |
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| Choose the Right Box |
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Moving Tip Center |
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Packing your Boxes
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Taping your moving boxes
It is very important to tape the bottom of your
box right after you fold the bottom flaps into place.
Turn the box over and tape it with strong tape that professional
movers recommend. Use "packing tape"
or duct tape. Never use scotch tape or masking tape, as
these are not designed to give you the strength you need
for packing boxes. It is a good idea to first tape down
the center or middle of the box for the full length and
then tape across the outside edges (the width of the box).
We call this the "H" taping method because you can imagine
forming this pattern when you tape the bottom of the box.
Use cushioning inside moving boxes
Here are a few essential tips for using materials to cushion your items:
- Always use cushioning for fragile items. Many people
buy bubble wrap as it is
easiest to use. You can also use common household
items such as old newspapers, towels, and blankets.
- It is best to put the most cushioning around the
heaviest items at the bottom of the box.
- It is very important to pack each box completely
and fill in any empty space so the boxes will not
crush.
Be wise about box weight
A good rule of thumb is heavy items should be
packed in medium moving boxes. This will make it easier to move for two reasons:
- The total weight of the box will be lighter once you are done packing it.
- The center of gravity of heavy items in a small
box is easier to manage than heavy items in a large
box. Heavy items in a small box are less likely to
shift around while picking it up and carrying it.
If you do want or need to mix heavy and light items
in the same box then heavy items go at the bottom
and lighter items go to the center and top of the
box.
- Whether you are moving boxes by yourself, or with
the help of family and friends, it is best to keep
the weight of each box at less than forty pounds.
When using professional movers you may pack each box
a bit heavier but its best to check with the moving
company about their guidelines for packing moving
boxes.
Box sizes & loading a truck
Many people find that they can pack up a truck
or moving van faster if they have many small to medium
sized boxes than large heavy and awkward boxes. Your
larger boxes can
hold children's toys, blankets, pillows, etc.
Moving fragile items
Dishes, plates and fine china are certainly fragile
items requiring special care and attention when packing.
It is best to stack plates and dishes vertically in a Dish
box. Use cushioning between each plate and dish. Group
each cup and odd shaped item in a bundle before putting
it in a box. Pack the bundles so there is no movement
inside the box.
Moving a computer
- It is always important to back up your files and
software programs before moving a computer. It is
also a good idea to keep these backup items in a small
box or carrying case with you when you move. Make
sure that disks are not stored next to anything magnetic.
- Check your computer manuals for special instructions. Some computer manufacturers may advise you to "park" your hard drive.
- Place your computer components in a plastic bag before you re-pack them. Make sure the computer has cooled off before putting the components in a bag.
- Many computers sold in the past two years come with color-coded wires. If your computer does not have color-coded wires then its very useful color-code them yourself before you disconnect the wired and pack them up.
- Of course it is best to reuse the original computer
box from the manufacturer. If this original box is
lost or damage then use the double-box method. Use
a small and larger sized box. Put the computer components
(already bagged) in a small box surrounded by bubble
wrap. Then put this small box inside a larger box
and surround the small box with bubble wrap. This
double-box method is a way to duplicate the boxing
method a computer manufacturer uses to ship their
computers. The inner box with bubble wrap acts like
the foam form that protected each computer component
in the original box.
- Be sure to remember to mark the outside of the box with a clear label that says "Fragile - Computer".
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