Moving Tips

 

Each year, almost one in five Canadians packs up and moves.  You can probably expect to do it yourself, an exhausting 11 times during your lifetime.  Whether you are moving to change jobs, retire, improve your health or to be closer to family (the more common reasons we pick up stakes), anyone who has done it knows moving is a lot of hard work.  Our tips can make this big job a little easier and more hassle free.  For those who wish to do their own packing, we offer these suggestions.

 

Packing Basics

 You should start packing as soon as the moving date is set. This is too big a job to leave to the last minute.  Begin with out-of-season gear and other things you don't need to often and go from there.

 Pack in sturdy corrugated cardboard boxes.  Although it is temping to collect boxes from supermarket and the liquor store, professional mover swear by made especially for moving boxes.  They're guaranteed to be tough enough to hold up.  You can purchase boxes and moving supplies from The Discount Mover Ltd .

 Pack heavy items in small boxes and light things in large boxes.  Close the lids the same way as a new case of soup. Do not criss/cross the tops. Seal with a single piece of wide packing tape. Do not use freezer tape.

 Use a heavy dark marker to number which box, write the name of the room it is going into and list the contents (especially important for international moving).  Use a separate notebook for inventorying each box and what is in it.

 Use unprinted newspaper for most wrapping, since stains from printing ink may be impossible to remove.  Pad the bottom of each box with crumpled paper before you begin.

 Pack boxes full but not to full.  Sealed tops should be flat. Try to keep the weight down to 30 pounds.  Pack your cups carefully. Place a cup on a stack of packing paper, handle to the right. Wrap two sheets of paper over it.  Add a second cup handle to the left. Wrap and tape.

 Make dishes break proof. Place the first plate on a stack of unprinted newspaper, slightly beyond the center of the sheet. Starting at one corner; fold two or three sheets of paper over the plate to cover. Place second plate on top of first and cover, third plate on top and cover it with the rest of the sheet of paper.  Wrap stacked plates in two or more three sheets of paper and tape.  Place the stack of dishes into box on edge.

 Keep delicate glasses and stemware safe. Place a glass on a corner of a stack of packing paper, base to right.  Pick up a double thickness of packing paper, and roll diagonally two full revolutions.  Add a second glass, base to left.  Continue rolling folding, in outside corners. Tape closed.  Note: wrap very fragile or expensive stemware individually after stuffing bowls with crumpled tissue.

 If you are leaving clothes in dressers, do not leave loose things or heavy items in dresser drawers.  As long it is light clothes, tape the drawers shut using packing tape, also remove the handles from the drawers. Clothes from closets can be safely packed in wardrobe boxes specially designed that allows the clothes to hand during the move.  These wardrobe boxes can be purchased from The Discount Mover Ltd.

 As the boxes develop, try to stack the boxes close to an exit as possible. A great place would be behind a couch along a wall.  Children's plush toys, bedding, etc., can be packed into large plastic bags.  These make great load stuffers, which tightens the space which reduces movement.

 

Pack last and take with you

·                     Enough clothes and toiletries to last till the moving truck is unpacked.

·                     First aid kit and prescription medications.

·                     Live plants that can suffer in the heat and cold of a moving truck.

·                     Snacks, paper plates and cups.

·          Children's travel toys, activities, and any baby supplies.

 

 Things that "should never" go on the moving truck

 Important papers such as car ownerships, medical/dental records, school records, insurance papers, passports, birth certificates, and documents pertaining to the move should always be with you. So should your cash, credit cards and jewelry-keep them with your purse or concealed in a money belt.

Do not put explosive or flammable goods into the moving truck, such as cleaners, solvents, propane bottles, paints etc.

 

 The open me first box

 This is your survival pack.  Mark it well and ensure it is in the last box to go into the truck so it will be the first to come off.  Be sure it includes:

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