STEP 1 PREPARATION
As with most things, the better prepared you are, the smoother it will go. If you suffer from PPS ( Procrastination Packing Syndrome ) take our advice ' start packing early. Break it down into small bite size pieces and before you know it...it will be done.
We all have the clutter zone, it was called the 'junk drawer' when I was a kid, now it is called my garage.
Start by separating into categories like: trash, donate, recycle, keep
STEP 2 PREPPING FURNITURE
Some pieces of furniture should be wrapped in plastic wrap or bubble wrap before you pack it. But before you wrap it you need to prepare it.
Wipe your wood furniture clean. One less thing to do when you unpack it. If anything is stuck to it, it may scratch in the move, especially if you pile boxes on top of your table.
Remove any furniture legs that can be removed. Use zip lock style sandwich bags to keep them in, put a post it note or piece of paper inside it that describes what piece of furniture these screw are for, don't count on your memory as they all start to look the same after a while.
Have your couches or other padded furniture cleaned prior to wrapping them. Especially if you have pets and pet odor. If you wrap them up without cleaning them it just intensifies the odor when you unwrap them. Obviously make sure the fabric is 100% dry before you wrap it up.
Keep dresser drawers inside the dressers but secure them so they do not open in transit. Saves these drawers getting damaged and what better place for them to be, Many people even keep clothes inside the drawers or fill the drawers with small decorative items like pictures. Saves you having to pack another box.
Always use padded packing blankets between your furniture and surrounding pieces to prevent scratching from movement in transit.
STEP 3 PREPPING APPLIANCES
Appliances are expensive, they are often not even considered until the last minute as they are often used right up until you move. We recommend having the appliances prepped at least 24 hours before packing into an Awesome Box.
Fridges and freezers should be defrosted and completely dry before you
pack them into the Awesome Box.
2. Fold a piece of cardboard and secure in the door opening of the fridge and freezer to prevent mildew and mold from building up inside the appliance.
3. Clean your oven before you move it, secure broiler pan, oven racks etc.
Tape down knobs so they do not vibrate loose and disappear once you get
to the other end.
4. Washing machine hoses put inside the drum along with any large bulky
soft items like sleeping bags or duvets.
5. Tape the cords of all large appliances to the back of them so they do not
dangle and get caught on other things while inside the Awesome Box but
more importantly so you don't trip on that cord when carrying the
washing machine down a flight of stairs.
STEP 4 PACKING BOXES
Using cardboard boxes in a variety of sizes helps you make the most out of your available space in the Awesome Box. Use a good quality packing tape and dispenser. Don't pack too many heavy things in large boxes like books. Make sure you double tape the bottom. Boxes taped on top as opposed to four close folded method stack better.
Use bubble wrap, tea towels etc around your fragile items and glassware before placing in the box.
Try to pack the box full so it dosen't bulge out on the sides or cave in when you put another box on top of it.
Buy a handful of black markers so you can label the boxes of contents, I say handful because you will misplace these countless times. Labeling the boxes makes placing them in the right rooms at the other end that much easier.
Don't pack liquids, gasoline, solvents, propane tanks etc in cardboard boxes or Awesome Box. These should travel in a separate vehicle.
STEP 5 LOADING THE AWESOME BOX
You want to optimize space as you load as well as distribute weight evenly across the Awesome Box as you load. If you know there are items you will need first or before you get to your new location those should go in last or in a separate vehicle.
Turning your couches on end will save space, you want to use as much
height as you can inside the Awesome Box.
Try to put the heaviest items on each side of the Awesome Box.
Take advantage of top space for mirrors and larger pictures once wrapped
in a blanket or bubble wrap.
Use the odd spaces between furniture or inside dryer and oven for smaller
items.
Pillows and stuffed animals placed in large black garbage bags make great
bumpers and to fill in empty spaces, especially up high.
Mattresses and box springs stand up nicely on their end and will almost
take up the entire vertical space. Always a good suggestion to put these in a
mattress bag to not soil the fabric.
STEP 6 INSURANCE
Check with your insurance broker to make sure your contents are covered during the move and or storage. Place a strong sturdy pad lock on the container doors. We recommend a disc style lock.
If you have any further questions about the Awesome Box, its features, advantages and benefits please contact us.
Awesomestorage.ca
Phone / Text (403) 415-5121
