|
Move safely and easily
When you pack your things for that home move, boxes can often be the last thing you think of. But choosing the right boxes can make the whole moving experience safer and less stressful.
Go to Web Site
|
|
|
|
When you pack your things for that home move, boxes can often be the last thing you think of. But choosing the right boxes can make the whole moving experience safer and less stressful.
If you were building a house from scratch you wouldn't consider using thin paper for the walls, that would be crazy. Why then do so many people think they can pack their belongings in the thin free boxes that you can get from grocery stores ? its just not worth the risk and possible damage that you will cause to your belongings.
Lets first look at how corrugated packaging (to give it its correct name) is made. Softwood trees are pulped and the wood fibre produced is made into various grades of paper. Typically the boxes that you will use for your move use what is called Kraft liner. This paper itself comes in different thicknesses which are expressed in grammes per square metre. So, a 150 gsm Kraft liner would if you took a piece one metre square, weigh 150 grammes.
These papers are fed through a machine called a corrugator which uses a combination of heat and starch adhesive to bond 3 or 5 different layers of paper together. If you look at your typical moving box it will have 5 paper layers consisting of a sandwich of 3 straight layers and 2 wavy layers (called fluting). This gives the box tremendous strength to stack several boxes high without collapsing and good resistance to side impacts. Unless you intend to pack very light non valuable items DO NOT accept boxes which only have a sandwich of 3 paper layers. They will not be strong enough.
Science lesson over, lets look at the practicalities. in the UK where I come from, people tend to move mostly short distances of less than 10 to 15 miles. But in the USA, if you move from one state to another, you could be moving the equivalent of London to Barcelona. So it makes sense to pack the right items in the right way.
It sounds obvious, but make sure that heavy items are placed at the bottom of each box used, with lighter items on top. This way Aunt Marys porcelain figurine will not be crushed by the TV set.
Pack a box of kitchen essentials together, such as milk, sugar, coffee, matches, painkillers, bandaid, torch, batteries etc. Clearly mark this box with its contents and place it last in the truck or keep it close in the car. When you arrive at your new home, you will have all the essentials to hand without having to search for them.
Wrap delicate china and breakable items in bubblewrap or tissue to protect them .
If you have any old unwanted clothes, wrap these around vcrs, tv and stereo to prevent damage.
Use your boxes wisely, do not be tempted to overload the big boxes with heavy items, you will struggle to carry the box safely. Instead box heavy items individually if possible and use large boxes for clothing, towels, sheets etc.
Mark the room that each box will be going to and cut down on frustration when you arrive.
If you have kids, involve them by letting them have a box they can fill with toys.
If the kids will be going to a new school, try to introduce them to their new teacher in advance of the move. Their first day will be a lot less stressful.
Research the new town, so you know where the doctor, dentist, grocery store and gas (petrol) station are.
If you have rented a self drive van, make sure that your belongings will be covered by insurance.
Use the move as a chance to declutter, as a general rule unless its a family heirloom, if you haven't used something for at least 18 months, chances are you don't need it. Give it to family, the charity store or put it out with the garbage.
Finally, good luck, it will be worth it in the end take your time, be safe and enjoy the experience as much as possible.
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2003 - 2008 URL.biz. All rights reserved. |
|
