How to Pack: Tips, Tricks and Web SitesWritten by dan the roommate man
You've just signed a new lease on apartment of your dreams. As soon as initial excitement wears off, you realize you're facing a daunting task, packing for cross-town move. You have only 30 days and you want to make sure all of your belongings, including your big-screen television, your grandmother's china and your collection of miniature unicorns, arrive safely. Fortunately, moving experts of all sorts have compiled tips and suggestions for novice movers.Generally, smaller items can be wrapped in newsprint, packed together in appropriate-sized moving boxes and surrounded with Styrofoam peanuts. Put heavier items (e.g., books) in smaller boxes. Dishes should be protected with bubble wrap and packed on edge, rather than stacked. Use dish towels or pot holders to cushion bottom and sides of these boxes. Bubble wrap secured with tape can be used to protect furniture as well. Wrap it around lampshades, chair arms, table legs, bed frames and like. Don't use tape directly on wood or painted furniture, however, because sticky residue can ruin finish. Instead, wrap these items in mover's pads and tie them with rope to secure pads. To pack a large mirror or picture, cover both sides with bubble wrap and heavy cardboard, then run masking tape around entire object. Or use a large flat packing box. Inexpensive clothing, towels, bed sheets, pillows, stuffed animals and other soft items can be packed in large garbage bags that are tightly tied at top. Suits, gowns and other fine clothing should be placed in portable wardrobe boxes, which can be purchased from a moving company or packing store. These boxes are a good solution for packing drapes too. One of most challenging items to pack is a computer. Be sure to back up all your files before disassembling and packing your system. Pack your diskettes in a separate box that doesn't contain anything magnetic. Bundle cables and wires, and use color coding if you're uncertain about how to reconnect them. Allow computer to cool completely, then wrap each component in a large heavy-grade plastic bag. If you have original boxes, by all means use them to move your equipment. Otherwise, double box each component by placing it in a small box filled with packing peanuts. Then place each small box in a larger box also filled with peanuts. Be sure to mark all boxes "FRAGILE."
| | Moving Day EtiquetteWritten by dan the roommate man
Moving day stinks. There's no two ways about it. You've spent hours packing up and preparing for arrival of your movers. Then you hold your breath as they begin arduous process of transporting all of your worldly possessions from one place to another. You hope your furniture survives journey and that your new home survives move-in process unscathed. Few of us are able to claim that our homes or furniture didn't suffer a single scratch, that a mirror didn't break or that at least one item wasn't mysteriously lost in transport.Amidst all of stress, we often overlook a few details of varying importance. You can't clone yourself or your family on moving day, but you can create a checklist of reminders. In fact, even if you're not a habitual list-maker, it's high time you started. Because a list is probably only way you're going to get through your move without overlooking something you shouldn't. What could possibly require your attention, aside from guiding Manny Mover down hallway as he creeps backward with your priceless and extremely breakable possessions? Take, for instance, last impression you make upon your neighbors as you move out of your house. Blocking your neighbors' access to their own street and/or driveways, causing them to be tardy for work, is likely to cause some resentment - particularly if movers aren't outside when neighbors discover that they can't back out of their driveways and into street. By same token, watch that your movers don't block your neighbors' driveways and street with your furniture. If move-out process is going to consume better part of an afternoon - and it often does - keep an eye on crew as they make their way into and out of your home. Some movers have been known to take a shortcut through neighbors' front yards, or worse, their flower beds, which could very well cause World War III. If you have a choice of what time of day to move, opt for between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on a weekday, if possible. Your neighbors have already arrived at work by this time (unless they work at home), giving you ability to move without cramping anyone's style. Avoid having movers arrive too early or too late in day, or on a weekend. Advise music-loving movers to cut loud music blaring from their moving van radios; noise pollution won't win them - or you - any friends. As you conclude move-out process, remember to pick up any debris that has fallen outside your home and along sidewalks, driveway and street. This rule is particularly critical in your new neighborhood. You're probably going to have a lot of trash during all stages of move, but especially after you unpack your boxes. Don't pile it outside and wait for next trash pick-up. Haul it to dump yourself.
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