Packing Tips

Mistakes to Avoid When Packing Boxes

One of the most difficult parts of moving items can be figuring out how to pack them up into boxes. You don’t want to throw everything in one box and call it good. You want to pack things carefully and with intent, so that nothing gets ruined or lost.

Some mistakes that are made on a regular basis when packing include putting too much weight in a box, or using boxes that are the wrong size for the items included within them. You don’t want to make moving anymore stressful than it has to be. Here are a few mistakes to avoid when packing your boxes.

Limit Heavy Items

One of the most important things you need to keep in mind when packing moving boxes is that you need to limit how many heavy items you put in each box. It may seem like it would be super easy to include all your heavy items in one place, but the opposite is actually true. If you load a box entirely with heavy items you will not be able to pick it up and move it easily.

It’s also possible the box will fall apart if there is too much weight included in it. You could go to pick it up and have the bottom drop out or the sides split. If you’re lucky this could happen when the box is just sitting. Most likely it will happen when you are in the process of moving the box and you’ll have a mess to clean up.

When packing heavy items it is a good idea to include a few of them in each box to break up the weight. Place them in the bottom of the boxes and then put lighter items on top of them. Try not to fill more than half of a box with heavier items.

There’s Nothing Wrong with Using Tape

Even if you are just using moving boxes to take stuff from one area of town to another, there is no shame in using packing tape to secure them together. Sealing up the bottom especially can help keep you from having box accidents throughout the process. Otherwise there is a chance the bottom will fall open during your move and everything inside the box will spill out and have to be cleaned up.

For a longer move it could help you to seal up the tops and corners of the boxes as well. This will help them stay sturdy during transit as well as when they are being carried. It will also make them sturdier so you can set other boxes and things on top of them as necessary.

If you are shipping your boxes, you will definitely want to use tape to secure the bottom and top. Use several pieces along the flaps so there is no way they can pop open during transit. It is better to err on the side of caution in order to make sure your items arrive safely.

Labels are Great

Just because you think you will remember what is in every box you pack doesn’t mean that is actually so. You can easily confuse the moving boxes if they look similar. Putting labels on the boxes as you fill them will help you stay organized and help you remember where you put your items.

Labeling can also help make it easier to unload your boxes once you get where you are going. Take the time to mark them as “kitchen” or “office” or “bathroom”. This way you won’t have to search for utensils and toothpaste through the wrong boxes later on.

You should also set aside boxes specifically for items you will need right away. Mark these appropriately to keep them from burying under boxes of less urgent items. This can help a lot if you are moving to a new place and need things like dishes, toilet paper, and other essentials right away.

Consider Travel Methods

Will your boxes be traveling via truck? Car? Airplane? Will you be stacking them on top of each other to move them? Or laying them out in a single layer? Take a few minutes to consider how your boxes will move so that you can be sure you have the right boxes and the right packing materials for the job.

If you are sending your boxes via plane you will want them to be packed securely, with sealed tops and bottoms. On the other hand, if you are sending them via truck you will want to make sure that any fragile items are very carefully wrapped so they don’t brake when you handle them.

If you are moving your boxes yourself you will know how careful to be with them. Also, if you hire a moving service you can’t be as sure that they will handle delicate things in the proper manner. Pack your items with tissue paper, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts so there is less chance of things ending up broken by an irresponsible handler.

Big Boxes Are Not Always Your Friends

Most moving companies who sell boxes will give you a list of what items work best in each kind of box. For small boxes they’ll suggest things like books and other heavy items. For large boxes they’ll suggest blankets, pillows, and other lighter items.

You don’t want to fill a giant box with books. This is very important to keep in mind. Even if you own hundreds of books and you don’t want to make multiple trips to move them all. A giant box filled with books can easily fall apart because of the weight inside of it.

Big boxes are also more difficult for an individual person to carry on their own. If you don’t have the use of a hand truck, or are moving things mostly by yourself, you need to stick to boxes that you know you can take care of. Remember that bigger is not always better when it comes to packing boxes.

Can You Carry Them By Yourself?

If you are lucky you’ll have people to help you when it comes time to move your boxes. They can help you with the really big ones and the really heavy ones. If you are really lucky you can hire a service to move them for you.

But if you need to move your boxes by yourself, you need to make sure they are aren’t too large or full of weight for you to take care of. Once you have packed them half full, try picking them up and carrying them a short distance to see how it goes. If you struggle, don’t pack anything else in them that will add much weight.

A hand-truck is a great tool to help you move things by yourself. But even with the use of one, you need to make sure your boxes aren’t too unwieldy. You don’t want them falling off the hand-truck mid-move and causing a mess.

Handles are Handy

There are several things to look for when selecting boxes for moving. You want them to be sturdy, simple to put together, and you should get them with handles. Handles can make it much easier to move the boxes around after packing.

Handles in this case does not necessarily mean ‘handles’ like you’d find on a bag or a suitcase. Instead these are usually cut into the sides of the boxes and make a convenient place for you to grab and lift them. They should be at least a third of the way down the sides of the box. This is to keep them from tearing if the box is heavy.

Separate Delicate Items

If you don’t want your fragile items to get broken, you need to take extra care in how you pack them. Use bubble wrap, tissue paper, newspaper, or packing peanuts around them. Be sure to mark the boxes they are in with labels. Thus alerting anyone that picks them up that there are delicate items within.

Do not pack heavy, sharp, or loose items with your fragile pieces. They could break them if they are jostled around. Be sure that any items in the box with the delicate things are safe for them to be around.

Transit can be hard on boxes. They can be thrown around, if you stack half-haphazardly, or place upside-down. You won’t want your fragile items to be treated like non-breakable things, so carry these boxes separately from the rest.

Packing doesn’t have to be a chore. With some organization, planning, and care, you can pack all of your items so that they arrive at their new location in proper order. It may take some time, but it will be worth it in the end.

Get help from Box-n-Go

Box-n-Go is your one stop shop for all your storage and moving needs. We can provide you with anything. ranging from moving boxes and supplies to storage units and moving labor. Call Box-n-Go at 1-877-269-6461. We will be happy to help you with any needs you may have.

Should I Hire Professional Packers?

Moving can be stressful. People need to worry about many different things when preparing to move. This includes finishing up work, saying goodbye to friends and family and figuring out details for the next home. If packing gets added to the list, it can cause more stress for that person. Many people call upon professional packers to help them move.

Some people may ask if hiring packers is worth it. After all, you need to pay money if you want someone to pack and move your belongings. It comes down to whether you feel that the price is worth the service. What does the service entail and are there any drawbacks?

This article will provide you with the pros and cons of hiring packers. Look through the different viewpoints and make a decision for yourself. These pros and cons will help you figure out if hiring packers is right for you.

Pros –

Save Yourself Time

This stands out as the biggest reason. When you hire someone to do the packing, you save yourself time. This is great for people that are moving, since they have various things to worry about. After all, time is one of the most important resources that each person has.

You will need to do many other things as you prepare to move. You don’t want to pack your belongings in a hurry because you’re short on time. This could lead to belongings getting packed incorrectly, not correctly wrapped and more susceptible to damage. By hiring packers, you can have them focus on all these details.

You can focus on other necessities that come with moving, such as work or preparing for the drive. This will make things easier for you and it will help you finish all your other responsibilities. By having the movers stop by, they can take care of all the details that come with packing.

Professional Packers Handle the Heavy Lifting

By hiring packers, you can have them handle all the heavy lifting. You won’t have to worry about lifting heavy items into box and then onto trucks. These people have the experience and can handle all of that heavy lifting for you.

Considering the number of boxes and items that will need to get packed. It would take a long time and be hard to carry that many boxes. Not to mention you would have to figure out where you’re going to put them in the moving truck. This would involve moving belongings inside the truck to get them all to fit.

This especially works for those who have heavy dressers, furniture and beds. After all, if you’re living alone, you won’t be able to carry all of those items by yourself. Packers handle this problem by bringing multiple people who can handle all the heavy lifting.

Avoid Unnecessary Stress

People tend to become more stressed when they have to do more things within a time limit. When it comes to moving, you have to finish by a certain time. It can be stressful when you’re trying to do all the packing. Packing adds another thing to your plate to finish and can create unnecessary stress.

By hiring movers, you don’t have to stress about all that packing. Your house could have thousands of items to pack, organize, and make sure that they remain secure during the move. Packing has various factors that people forget to consider when they don’t hire someone else to do it.

When you pack on your own, you have to worry about getting the different packing supplies. This includes items such as packing paper and boxes. You also need to figure out how much you can fit into each box. You need to make sure the box doesn’t become too heavy. By hiring packers, you no longer need to stress about packing.

Insurance

When you have your belongings moved, moving companies can provide you with insurance. This means that you can have your items replaced or compensated if any of them brake. This is nice, considering you don’t receive such insurance if you pack and load your belongings on your own.

By paying for the moving truck and professional packers, you can have insurance in your contract. Whether this costs more will depend on the moving company. Make sure to do some research to find one that does provide insurance at a reasonable price. After all, you need to make sure that the price makes sense for the coverage.

This will protect your belongings if anything gets damaged. This insurance also helps make moving companies more reliable. They won’t want to pay for damaged goods, so they will be careful with your belongings. This helps ensure that your belongings get stored away safely.

Cons –

It Costs Money

This first con is the most obvious one. To hire professional packers, you need to pay money. This makes sense, as they provide you with a service to cover all the packing while you do other things. This one is dependent on whether or not you can afford a moving company. If you can’t, then find alternatives.

You can always get friends and family to help with moving if you can’t afford a moving company. This requires people that are willing to help and who you trust. Due to the amount of work and time it takes, it’s usually easier to hire a moving company. Make sure to keep the price in mind and that it’s worth the cost.

Additional Costs

When you have your belongings packed, you also need to cover additional costs. It’s clear that you need to pay for the truck and for the labor, but you also need to pay for supplies. This means that you need to pay for all the packing materials that the workers use. This includes boxes, packing peanuts and packing paper.

Some professional packers may try to use extra material. While this does provide extra protection for your belongings, it also costs you more money. Be mindful of these additional costs as you get a moving company to pack for you. Many people forget to factor in additional costs when they need to pay for a moving company.

Strangers in Your Home

When you hire people from a moving company, they will need to enter your home. This means that you will have strangers in your home which might be uncomfortable for some people. Because of this, some people may not hire packers. This will depend on the person.

To alleviate this issue, you can always have someone else at your house while the packers work. This could be a friend, relative or a coworker. Make sure that they are comfortable staying at your house with you while the packers work. Also, for safety reasons, it’s always a good idea to have someone else with you in the house.

You Need to Monitor the Packing

Most companies require someone to be at the house while the packers work. This means that you need to find a time that you’re available for them to come and pack your belongings. Depending on your schedule, this could be frustrating to figure out. Especially if you are busy with other aspects of moving.

You also need to pay attention to what they pack to make sure that they don’t pack anything that they shouldn’t. Maybe you want to bring certain belongings with you. You need to designate a spot for them and ensure that all the packers know not to touch those belongings. If you don’t, they may accidentally pack something that you didn’t want packed.

This also means that you might not know where everything is. Unless you or the professional

packers label all the boxes, you won’t be able to figure out where everything. This could lead to some stress if you need a specific belonging when you arrive. If you can’t find it immediately, it could lead to some problems for you.

Final Comments

When considering the moving process, the pros of hiring professional packers heavily outweigh the cons. While this article lists the same number of pros and cons, the pros provide more benefits than the cons hold back. People value their time and belongings, so packing companies provide those services to you. This makes them money while saving you time and stress.

Keep in mind that these pros and cons are here for you to make a decision. While packers provide many benefits, not everyone can hire them. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons for yourself when you decide to hire them. After all, you are paying them to move your belongings, so make sure that it’s worth your money.

Box-n-Go Can Help

Box-n-Go is a local storage and moving company. We have relationships and flat rates established with movers and can arrange for the loading and packing labor for your needs. We can help you pack load and move. just call us at 1-877-269-6461 and we will help you explore a variety of options.

Eco-Friendly Moving Tips

Moving is not an activity generally known for considering the environment during the process. This article brings you some eco-friendly moving tips, to help you start thinking about the environment.

You can get recycled boxes, but the truck alone emits plenty of carbon into the atmosphere. Also the labor leads to wasting lots of materials and generating trash. Now consider the fact that the average American will move more than 10 times in a lifetime. this means we all end up impacting the environment significantly.

Fortunately, there’s more you can do now than ever before to get your emissions closer to zero. Thanks to the rise of eco-friendly moving services. Plus, if you plan ahead, you’ll make an even stronger impact. Do the world and your wallet a favor and start planning ahead now!

Planning ahead reduces impact

If you’re like most people, chances are you’ve experienced it.

A trip is around the corner. The thought of packing keeps slipping your mind until the night before. Quickly, you hurry and throw the clothes into your luggage. Fly off to your destination only to realize that you forgot half the things you wanted to take with you.

Packing for the big move at the last minute is much like this, but even more extreme. You’ll notice things that you haven’t seen or thought of since the last time you moved. So don’t wait until the day of the move to think about how to pack all this other stuff.

By starting a few weeks early, you give yourself enough time to get rid of the things that would simply take up space. Be realistic with this choice; if you haven’t worn that shirt in the last five years. It’s worth donating it to someone who will wear it. Have a yard sale for unwanted valuables,. Donate the rest to a charity. Not only will you spend less time on the move, but fewer items means using less fuel on the ride.

Look for containers you already have

Look inside your home first to look for containers you already have to help with an eco-friendly move. Grab the cardboard boxes that carried your Costco groceries. Use suitcases to store clothes, and use sandwich bags for smaller sundries. Other items you can look for include:

Plastic bins
Dresser drawers
Reusable grocery bags
Duffel bags and gym bags

In other words, if you have something in your home that can fit smaller items inside, fill it as much as you can before packing it away. You’ll save plenty of space if you pack the clothes in the dresser drawers. Or fill the items from under your sink into the garbage container. The more you can pack items within each other, the fewer boxes you will need.

Store boxes that you get throughout the year

We’d never suggest shopping online specifically to stock up on cardboard boxes. But if you’re going to make the orders anyway, set a place where you can store them for the next time you move.

Whether you know when the move is coming or you otherwise anticipate having to move again in the next few years. Keep the boxes whenever you make an online order. Formed boxes take up a lot of space. So break them down carefully and store them in a plastic box in the basement or garage. You can also put them under your bed if these other storage options are not feasible. They’ll be easy to form back into a box shape when it’s time to move. All you need is some packing tape.

If you must buy boxes, order them used

An eco-friendly move means you avoid buying brand new materials until there’s no other choice. This is especially true with cardboard boxes.

If you haven’t been able to get enough used boxes from other sources on your own, see if anyone you know has any they can loan you. Call up family members, friends, local grocery stores. Also head to retail stores to see if there are boxes you can have for free.

If that’s still not enough boxes, or if you come up short, look on sites like Freecycle or Craigslist. See if anyone else in your neighborhood or city is giving away boxes for free. Other websites sell or give away boxes that have flaws and cannot be used for manufacturing but still work well enough for moving.

Continue to reach out, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to stock up on used boxes for an eco-friendly move.

Be creative when protecting packed items

Other packing materials, such as the ones used to protect your items when on the move, aren’t as easy to find used. Although there are special collection points that recycle these types of materials. They’re not always conveniently located and many people simply throw out the materials anyway. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck, though.

Before buying new packing materials that you’ll either have to drive out to recycle or end up throwing out, look again inside your home for items that you can re-purpose. For example, comforters, linens, towels. Also thick clothes all can wrap around fragile items to protect them in the truck.

If that’s not enough, then you can move on to newspaper. This is a long-used packing material that you can easily recycle in your normal weekly bin. If you do find yourself wanting to acquire the plastic packing materials, be sure to know exactly where to recycle them in the future for reuse.

Donate excess items you no longer need

There’s hardly any better chance to get rid of items you no longer need or use than a few weeks before moving away.

As you organize your plan for the move, start sorting your items into Keep and Toss piles. Once this is done, divide the Toss pile into three sub-piles: Donate, Recycle, and Trash. The goal is to have as small a trash pile as possible. You shouldn’t put anything here unless it’s impossible to donate or recycle it.

The donation pile can go to numerous charities, like Veterans for America, Goodwill, local animal shelters, libraries, and schools. Everything in the recycling pile should be processed correctly. For example, electronics have a specific method of recycling that precludes tossing it with your regular recycling.

Keep the kitchen stuff out for a while

It may seem intuitive to start packing up the kitchen first because it’s so difficult to sort through. However, once all the utensils and dishes are packed away, you’ll end up with no choice but to buy, use, and throw out plastic utensils, cups, and plates. Instead, keep just enough kitchen items out to help keep yourself fed throughout the move. An eco-friendly move won’t be so eco-friendly if you use brand new plastics along the way.

Seek out a green moving company for an eco-friendly move

The governor of California recently revealed a plan to revolutionize how cargo travels across the huge state. Aiming to bring the industry down to a zero-emissions standard. If one of the largest states in the country can ship its cargo without emitting carbon into the atmosphere, certainly this is something that your average homeowner could achieve as well.

Eco-friendly transportation is crucial to a green move. As more companies realize the impact they’re having on the environment, they look to adopt a zero-to-low-emissions approach. You’ll find more and more moving services

Long-distance movers have the additional option of saving even more by sharing trucks with other movers. A compartmentalized truck separates everyone’s belongings. However, transports many at once via consolidated shipping. Since there is one truck for multiple moves, this makes consolidated shipping an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint during the move.

Likewise, you can also use trains to ship your items across the country for less strain on the environment.

If possible, make a single trip with your move

The longer the engine runs, the more carbon the truck emits. In other words, plan your move so you make as few trips as possible back and forth between locations.

Avoid small trips to and from the two homes and instead focus on sending off as many items as you can manage in a single trip and day. If you intend to move some of the items yourself, fit as much as you can into your vehicle rather than making small deliveries. Simply put, the fewer trips you need to make, the less gas will burn away into the atmosphere and leave a larger footprint.

Box-n-Go Storage & Moving Company is your one stop shop for everything moving. We have a full supply of moving boxes, which we can deliver to you, so that you do not have to drive to the store. Box-n-Go offers portable self-storage that comes to you, so that you do not have to make multiple trips to storage facility. We can also arrange for the moving labor, if this is what you are looking for. All you need to do is to call us at 1-877-269-6461 or receive an online quote.

How to Move or Pack with an Aging-Elderly Parent

We all get to that point in life when we need to downsize and live in a place suited to our needs. This can be a particularly difficult transition, though. Moving an elderly parent is not easy. No one wants to lose their home and possessions due to declining health and the ability to take care of themselves.

When this happens to your parents, you have to help them. You will go through a unique experience that almost everyone moving their parent goes through. There may be stubbornness, frustration (on both ends), and even some fond memories. Before you get in over your head, here are some tips to help you move and pack your elderly parents.

Moving an Elderly Parent – Know When to Move

There is a lot of discussion as to when it’s time for your parents to move into an assisted living facility. Many people stay self-sufficient (or at least appear that way), and others have health conditions that make the change mandatory. If you’re not entirely sure if it’s time, here are some things to consider:

– Has your parent injured themselves or fallen recently?
– Do your parents have trouble maintaining their home and keeping it clean?
– Are your parents able to keep themselves clean?
– Do your parents get confused easily or show signs of dementia?
– Are your parents in bad health?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, than it’s a good time to start thinking about assisted living.

Make it Sound Good

To make your parents excited about the move, you really have to have a positive perspective about the place they will be moving to. Highlight all of the positive attributes of their new home. Many places offer social advantages, help cleaning, no cooking, and trips to the places that your parents will want to go. When you make the new home sound amazing, they may actually start to believe it, too.

Moving an Elderly Parent – Be Understanding

Going into this next part of life is extremely difficult, and you need to be understanding of this when you talk to your parents. Be patient. Speak in an understanding tone without being condescending. Also, be willing to listen. As we get older, it can feel like no one listens to us anymore. Do your best to make them feel heard.

Let Them Make Decisions

Part of allowing your elderly parents to feel heard is to let them make decisions. Ask their opinion. It is their life, after all.
Sometimes, the decisions need a little guiding. For those of us with children, think about asking your child if they want to take a shower before or after story time. Sure, they thought they had a choice in the matter, but, in reality, they were being told that they have to take a bath. You can use this same method when it comes to helping your parents make difficult decisions. If they don’t want to go to any assisted living facility, give them options to let them feel like they are at least picking which one they will go to.

Moving an Elderly Parent – Managing the Stuff

Getting an elderly parent to throw out their possessions is absolutely impossible! Here are a couple of tips specifically for this part of the process.

1. Give stuff to the people that they love. Or sell it.

Your loved one worked their entire life for the items that they have. They don’t want these items to go unused. One of the best ways to make them feel better about getting rid of their stuff is to give it to someone they love. If it goes to a child, grandchild, cousin, or friend, they feel like their item was put to good use.
If no one needs or wants the items that can’t come with, try selling the stuff! Run a garage sale or a yard sale. If a family member or friend can’t use it, at least you might be able to make some money from it.

2. Put it in storage

Your parents won’t be able to get rid of all of their stuff before moving. For that reason, it’s a good idea to get a storage unit for the things that they still want but don’t have room for anymore.

Before buying a storage unit, take an inventory of everything you will have in there to help you pick the right size unit. You’ll also have to consider if any of the items need to be stored in a special way. Books, paintings, and other collectables may have certain temperature or humidity requirements when stored to maintain their value.

3. Force them to throw away the garbage

Some of our parents hold onto stuff that is broken or stained. They may think that they will eventually fix it and use it again. The fact of the matter is that probably isn’t true. It’s a good idea to be realistic and just throw out the things that you can’t donate to charity because it’s not in good enough condition.

Moving an Elderly Parent – Do the Work

Elderly parents aren’t especially strong. They won’t be able to do a lot of the packing and moving themselves. For that reason, step up to help by moving the important things and taking control when the movers come.

If possible, it’s a good idea to complete the move without your parents around. While it is their stuff, they might be more in the way of the movers than anything else. Get clear instructions on what should be packed and how it should be packed. Hopefully, you can take their place during the move.

Follow-Up

One of the most important parts of moving your elderly parents is what happens after the fact. Be sure to check in on them after the move to ensure that they are settling in okay. It will also help your parents get more accustomed to the new place if they see someone familiar on a regular basis. Call and check in as often as possible and be sure to always meet up for the holidays.

The golden years are a time for someone to relax and be as comfortable as possible. There may be some downsides to this part of life, but it’s best to respect it the way it deserves to be respected.

Your parents will need help during this time. However, you may get frustrated when your help is greeted with stubbornness. Do your best to understand what your parents are going through and help make them the most comfortable life possible. You want your parents to enjoy their old age. Listen to what they want and do your best to provide it. Just throw out the unnecessary stuff along the way.

Box-n-Go – A Wealth of Storage Options in One

While there might be many moving and storage solutions to choose from, temporary self-storage remains one of the most flexible, convenient and affordable options. It’s a storage solution that revolves around you that is completely tailored to suit your needs and which puts you in total control of your storage. Choose whether your container moves with you or remains stored in a safe and secure storage facility. Subsequently, your keepsakes get transported upon your request.

At Box-n-Go, we offer temporary storage solutions you need when and where you need it, without the fuss often associated with storage companies. Our storage units are secure and where you need them for easy access. Make moving a breeze. Call Box-n-Go today for more of our temporary storage solutions. Take advantage of our load once, unload once storage innovation.

Moving and Storage Tips for College Students

A college student? Inevitably a school year will end and you will have to move out of your residence. Here are the 8 moving and storage tips for college students to help you with this difficult process.

College is difficult enough without having to worry about moving. However, unless you are one of those rich kids that can simply pay others to move your things, you will need to deal with this problem. While most people will reasonably expect the academic side of college to be tough, many do not consider the fact that you will have to move twice a year. Once when the dorms open, and again when the dorms close. This can add up to a lot of time, trouble, and money that you probably do not have. With that in mind, here are a few tips to make your college moving experiences a little easier.

1. Prior Planning:

As a general rule, you should remember that early planning makes everything easier. College students are infamous for doing everything at the last minute, but try not to adhere to the stereotype on this one. Make sure that you take a good look at your new dorm room before moving in, with an eye on what you need and what you don’t need. Think about what it will be like going through your normal daily activities around this place, and what you will need or want while doing so. You should also make sure to write down the move-in and move-out dates for reference.

Moving and Storage Tips for College Students #2 Take Good Measurements:

Most of the time, a dorm room will consist of rather limited space. Add to this the fact that you will probably be sharing the space with others, and you begin to see that space issues will arise. This is a situation that requires you to reach new heights in terms of efficient space usage. Obviously, you can take a little shortcut and hang many items on the wall, or even from the ceiling. This is a great way to save space, but you can’t do that with many items, especially your furniture.

When you go into your dorm for the first time to check it out, make sure you bring a tape measure and a notebook. This will enable you to draw a quick and accurate map of the interior. No, it doesn’t have to be as exact as professional-quality blueprints, it just has to give you a rough idea of your work area and its limits. Take accurate measurements of any areas where you expect to place large items like beds, dressers, nightstands, etc. At this stage, it is a good idea to have your future roommate (or roommates) with you. Not only can you work out the details of your furniture arrangements, but they can also hold the other end of the tape measure for you.

3. Buy Used Furniture:

Don’t make the mistake of getting happy with your residual money. In other words, don’t buy new furniture for your dorm room. It is neither necessary nor worth the cost. There are so many places where you can acquire used furniture at rock-bottom prices. Just make sure to be careful with couches, chairs, and especially beds. Check them thoroughly for bedbugs or your entire floor will hate your guts!

4. Find A Friend With A Truck:

The single biggest expense when moving is always going to be the truck. However, a dorm move is a much smaller-scale move and does not require a huge truck. If you know someone who owns a large pickup truck, their services can probably be obtained for a much cheaper price than the cost of a rental truck. If you have an uncle who owns a great big truck, now is the time to call him.

If you don’t know anyone with a truck, you might put an ad in a local online classified. However, there are some safety concerns if you go this route. While this kind of thing is usually safe, there are some real psychopaths out there, and you don’t want to end up as their next victim. Make sure you meet them in public places and wear a body cam if possible when dealing with them.

5. Avoid Redundancy In Your Packing:

As the survivalists often say, “the more you know, the less you need.” This advice holds true for dorm life. It is good to keep your personal belongings to a relative minimum since you will be living in a small space with at least one other person. So, don’t bring two devices that perform the same function. For instance, don’t bring both the electric skillet and the grill, because you don’t really need both of them. For that matter, you might not need either of them if your dorm room has a full kitchen.

Moving and Storage Tips for College Students #6 Work Out The Utilities:

Have you ever lived without electricity and running water? It’s not easy, and you don’t need those kinds of distractions when you’re trying to focus on your education and future. Before you move in, make sure that everything is properly arranged for your power, water, and internet. That last one is crucial because the internet will be essential for most of your college work. Without it, you will be spending an awful lot of time in the library.

7. Pack Your Fragile Items Separately:

Ideally, you should try not to bring excessively fragile items when you move into a dormitory. Even if you and your roommates are not the “party animal” types, it is still very easy for accidents to occur. You are much better off to leave those items at home where they will be safe. However, if you choose to bring anything made of glass or anything else which is fragile, wrap it up very well before you put it in the box. I recommend using multiple layers of newspaper, followed by a layer of bubble wrap.

Moving and Storage Tips for College Students #8 Think About The Temperature And Weather:

There is a good chance that you will be attending college somewhere that is relatively far from your home. As such, you may have to consider the different climate when you think about your time in the dorm. Don’t neglect this factor, as it can make a big difference in your overall comfort. For instance, the weather will make a big difference in terms of which clothes you bring and which clothes you leave at home. It will also have an impact on the activities that you will be engaging in when you aren’t doing schoolwork. Finally, you will need to consider the impact of the weather on your electric bill when doing your financial planning. As a general rule, heating and cooling are the two biggest power-suckers in any home.

In conclusion, it is safe to say that moving can be a relatively easy experience.

However, it tends to be an awkward and stressful experience without the proper planning.

Try Box-n-Go Services

We hope that this article has been useful to you and that your scholastic journey is not hindered by the semi-nomadic life that you are temporarily forced to lead. For more information on student self storage, contact us today for a quote. Student self storage units start at $10 a month.

How to Properly Move Kitchen Appliances

Moving can be a task in itself, especially when it comes to items that need a certain layer of protection. Your kitchen, in particular, is one part of your home that tends to have a number of items that can be incredibly fragile. Moving these about appropriately is essential if you want to have a smooth move. One of the biggest concerns when trying to move is the appliances that you have in your kitchen. These are some of the heaviest items that are going to be a part of your move. Which is just one of the many things that make the move harder. If you are moving them on your own without the help of a professional service, paying attention to a few details is absolutely essential to have a smooth move.

Why Should You Pay Special Attention To Your Kitchen Appliances?

Before we go on to the precautionary measures that you should be taking, it is important to note why kitchen appliances need special tending to. Knowing these reasons can also help you take much better care of your kitchen essentials that you may need in your new home. Here are some of the reasons you should be paying attention to your appliances:

1. They Are Fragile

One of the biggest reasons to properly package and take care of your kitchen appliances is because of how fragile they can be. Sometimes, kitchen appliances can have parts that are made of glass and other materials that are prone to damage. If you want to maintain their condition, paying heed to their packaging becomes incredibly important.

2. They Have A Number Of Components

More often than not, kitchen appliances tend to have a number of different components. These need to be disassembled when storing and packing them up to take along with you. In these instances, there can be several parts that have to be accounted for such as add-ons and wires. Packing your kitchen appliances properly can also mean that you store everything that it needs in a much more efficient manner, making them easier to find after your move.

3. You Have To Install Them Yourself Again

If you are conducting the move yourself, the chances are that you are also going to have to do the set up at home yourself too. If you want to have an easier time doing this, packing your kitchen appliances in the right manner along with all their different components can make this process of assembly a lot easier.

Tips To Make The Kitchen Packing and Moving Easier

Not all kitchen appliances need to be moved in the same manner. Some of them may need special packaging and care to ensure that they are in good condition when you reach your new home. Here are some of the tips that you can implement to make this process significantly easier:

1. Moving An Oven

Moving an oven is sometimes challenging. Especially if your oven has been mounted to the wall or if your oven is an older model. One of the first things that you need to do is read the manual of the product that you own. If you don’t have the manual on you, simply search for the manual of your oven online.

Once your oven has been detached from your unit or wall take out all the inner components that are detachable. Make sure that these are kept well since you will need them in the future.

Once you have removed all the components and kept them aside, package the main unit with protective packaging. Make sure that the package is secured well to prevent it from breaking.

The best way to move your oven from the kitchen onto your transportation is to use a dolly. This ensures that the oven doesn’t scratch the flooring of your home and the base of the oven isn’t damaged by the contact.

2. Moving A Washing Machine

Moving a washing machine is fairly similar to that of an oven. Just with a few more steps added to it. Because this tends to always be a heavier device, you may need another set of hands to help you with it.

Start by unplugging the washing machine from the primary power source and the water source. Close up the tap of the washing machine before you do this. The hose is also something that needs to be shut off. Simply remove the screws that hold it together. Once again, the user manual is incredibly beneficial for this since it tells you what needs to be removed. Don’t forget to drain out any water that might still be in the machine or the hose before you package it.

Tape the hoses to the side of the machine and package it with the appropriate packaging. You can also leave your washing machine as is since the body is sturdy enough to handle transportation.

3. Moving A Dishwasher

A dishwasher is an important part of your home. If you have a full unit dishwasher, moving this can be a little harder than usual. This process is fairly similar to that of a washing machine, which means that this is also something that you will need another person for.

Start by unmounting the dishwasher is it is attached to a wall. Once you have done that, take out all the individual components and place them in a box that is easy to find. Remove the hose of the dishwasher and properly drain it out to prevent water from leaking into your boxes.

Package the dishwasher in the appropriate packaging to ensure that it stays well protected all while you are moving.

4. Moving A Fridge

A fridge is by far one of the hardest parts of the kitchen to move. It is something that you have to be incredibly careful about when packaging. You first need to start by removing everything from the inside of the fridge. This means that you have to move the food and all the detachable shelves and drawers inside the fridge. Make sure that these components are kept in proper boxes to make them easier to find.

Next, unplug the fridge to stop it from cooling. It is important to note: please do this around six to eight hours before you package the fridge. Since this is how long it generally takes to defrost all the ice that has been built up inside the fridge.

When you are ready to move your fridge, close the fridge. Secure it with chords to ensure that it doesn’t open up during your move. The next step is to move the fridge to your transportation. This again is something that you might need some help with. Once you have reached your transportation, lay the fridge onto its side so that it can stay in the safest position while you are moving.