The Importance Furniture Padding For Moving

Movers’ blankets are a hot topic as of late, given the increased scrutiny on cleanliness of pretty much everything we touch, we here at Olympia Movers wanted to provide some additional information on how we protect your belongings throughout your move. As experts within the moving industry, although the overall idea of moving belongings from point A to point B may seem straight forward, the complexities and hallmarks of a truly great moving service differ from company to company.

The details matter, and critical to a successful move start from the way we treat our clients and their belongings.  Our primary focus is on the client experience and ensuring all your items are treated like our own and protected as such, no matter a local move or a long-distance move.

When we first arrive at your house, we will ensure that there is proper floor covering where required. Once we tour your house to understand the scope, we go to work! Critical to the move is the ability to pack and stack your furniture in our trucks as efficiently as possible. We will work room to room, padding and protecting all the items that are required.

The moving blankets are a key tool in our arsenal. This blanket is no ordinary quilt. This is a thick, heavy-duty blanket that is a blend of polyester mesh and cotton. You may see these called furniture moving pads, moving pads, furniture pads or other iterations. These movers’ blankets keep your items protected from dirt, dust and shifting when stacked and packed tightly in our moving trucks. It’s often the little spaces and crevices that wreak the most havoc while in transit, causing potential shifting. These blankets are critical to help fill those tiny spaces and keep your belongings secure, taking up this little space. The thick and heavy material provides protection and keeps items static throughout the move. It goes without saying, we carry only the highest quality movers’ blankets

No matter the type of items you require moving, Olympia Moving & Storage has all the materials required to keep your items and your home protected from any damage. Apart from the materials we use as part of our service, we offer supplies for sale as well here. Included as a part of our moving service, we do provide the blankets and furniture padding needed in transit from your original location to your new destination.

Keep in mind, no matter the size of your move, furniture padding, or movers’ blankets are an integral component of your move. Some of the other moving companies may charge you per pad, and if you rent a truck there is most likely an additional cost if you require blankets. However you decide to handle your next move, whether on your own or through your favorite moving company(wink wink), make sure you do your research and prepare for the big day.

How To Pack Books For Moving

Some consider books or a library collection among their home’s most prized possessions. For many, books are akin to cherished friends. It’s no fun to set up your new place and find books with torn pages, or twisted and scratched covers.

Packing and moving books cause damage if done incorrectly. Let us show you how to pack your books to arrive in the best shape possible.

Materials:

  • Boxes or crates
  • Packing paper
  • Packing tape
  • Markers

a box full of packed booksBefore You Start To Pack

Organize your books according to the sizes, including books, magazines, and periodicals. This will allow you to properly distribute them into cartons.

Decide which books to take

Now that you have your books in groups, assess what you need to move. If there are books that you no longer need, set them aside. Make piles for friends, neighbors, or donate to your local library or reading group. Keep in mind that some move pricing, especially for interstate moving, is weight-based. Since books are very heavy, part of your collection may not be worth moving.

Select the boxes you’ll need

Since books are very dense, book boxes can get heavy fast. Only use the smallest boxes, ideally 1.5 cubic feet, to pack books. Do not overstuff the boxes and make them too heavy to lift when moving. Aim for at most 50 pounds in each box.

Secure the boxes

Next, seal the base and sides of the box with packing tape to strengthen the package and ensures the box will not fall apart when lifted. Properly sealing boxes protects your books from damage from water or other liquids during moving.

Now you have the basics; it’s time to start to packing

  1. Begin unpacking the books from the bottom of the bookshelf and work your way to the top. It also helps minimize any back strain from constant bending.
  2. First, place some sheets of packing paper to the bottom of the moving crate.
  3. Start packing the heavier volumes, then the medium-sized, and finish with the lighter books at the top. Placing the light volumes at the top also helps reduce any damage from the weight of other volumes.

Here are a few methods of packing book boxes for you to consider:

Standing up Method

The standing up method of packing books is similar to how the books lie on your bookshelves. Pack the spines of the books next to the sides of the box or crate when packing. Continue stacking books spine to spine in at least two rows to start.

Cover the layers with packing paper before starting the next row. Use some newsprint or packing paper to plug any extra spaces, but not too tightly to cause friction.

Flat on the back Method

Packing books flat on their backs is an ideal way to get more books into your box and prevent pages from bending or tearing. It’s also the best way to pack books of similar sizes in one location for a snug fit. To avoid tearing or other damage, avoid placing books with their pages facing each other.

Packing precious tomes

Everybody has a set of unique books they like to keep for a lifetime. Packing costly or rare volumes will help ensure they arrive intact when moving. Wrap each book in sheets of packing paper. Fold each section to help create a buffer to minimize damage.

Continue to wrap each book and stack them inside the box or crate. Fill any open spaces with packing paper to help cushion the books during moving. Label the containers to help locate them quickly when unpacking.

packing magazines for your moveMagazines

Magazines can lie flat at the top of your regular books as you pack to fill up any remaining spaces. Organize them according to size and let the larger volumes lie flat in the box.

Sealing & Labeling

Place a sheet of packing paper to the top of each box: close, and seal, then label. Do not over-pack the boxes. Leave enough room to help seal the box on an even plane. When you seal the boxes, try lifting them to see if you can handle the weight of moving. Ensure the base of the box can handle the pressure.

Labeling helps keep track of what’s inside to help organize the moving and unpacking at your new place. Label as you go to ensure you give specific handling instructions to protect your books from damage.

You did it, your books are packed!

Moving is always a challenge, and protecting your books is paramount. Organizing your books in groups will help you pack them in the best possible way to avoid damage. Correctly packing your books ensures they arrive in good shape and are ready to sit comfortably in their new space. If you are looking to get your books packed and packed by professionals, click here and get a free estimate.

How To Pack Clothes For Moving

Packing and moving are never easy, and when moving clothes and shoes, it takes special care to prevent damage. Clothing and shoes represent a large portion of our belongings, as it includes a range of items for the entire family. Our packing tips will get your clothes and shoes in order. Let’s take a look at some proper strategies on how to pack clothes and shoes for moving.

Required Materials:

  • Packing paper
  • Boxes of various sizes
  • Suitcases
  • Duffel Bags
  • Vacuum Seal bags
  • Shoe boxes
  • Markers
  • Sealing tape
  • Tissue Paper
  • Where to start

Categorize your closet

It’s necessary to have a plan in place to get your items of clothing and shoes ready for packing.

  1. Sort items of clothing in categories. For example:
  • immediate needs
  • long-term needs
  • short-term needs
  • seasonal
  1. Check the condition of the clothes for any tears, fraying, stains, or other damage.
  2. Launder everything and dry thoroughly before packing away.
  3. Making clothing piles can help get everything in order:
  • Keep
  • Donate
  • Toss
  • Repair or repurpose
  • Piles for each season
  • Piles for each family member

After making each category, pack off-season or storage items of clothing first. These are items you and your family will not likely wear soon. Store off-season items by vacuum sealing in bags to reduce bulk and save storage space. Make sure you pack with breathable material that helps let air in to reduce moisture and mold. Label each box to identify what will go into storage to unpack as needed.

Pack clothing you won’t be wearing soon, such as formal attire, in a waterproof suit or jacket bag to protect them from moths, mold, dust, dirt, and moisture.

Finally, pack the clothes you’ll need immediately as you settle into your new place. Packing these clothes separately will help you find clothing for each family member to use while unpacking and setting up your new home.

Set aside a complete set of clothing items for each member of the family:

  • Pants
  • Tops
  • Shoes
  • Pajamas
  • Socks
  • underwear

clothing for packing for moving

Packing delicate clothing items

Delicates can tear and suffer other damage during moving. Pack them in separate boxes to help reduce friction during transit. Use sheets of silk paper to wrap delicate clothing items to help protect them from heat, moisture, or damage.

Methods of Packing Clothes

The goal of any packing method is to prevent friction, save space, and ensure your items arrive in good condition. Each technique will ensure you pack each item appropriately to help minimize the risks.

Bundle packing

Start with a bulky item like a winter jacket or coat at the bottom. Next, place a smaller item of clothing atop the coat or jacket. Make the third layer with a smaller item of clothing. When full, wrap the coat or jacket’s ends around the smaller things to form a bundle.

Repeat for other items, and continue to place complete bundles in the packing boxes.

rolling clothes and for packingRolling Method

Fold and roll items like tee shirts, socks, light items and pack them side by side to help save space. You can also fold items within other clothing to save even more space. Rolling clothing also helps reduce wrinkles after unpacking.

Flat Packing

Laying items flat inside packing boxes will also help save space.

Wardrobe Boxes

Wardrobe boxes are an excellent way to store your clothing upright and avoid any wrinkles during moving. They are ideal for packing shirts, jackets, pants, coats, and dresses. They make  packing, unpacking, and re-hanging clothing a seamless exercise when you arrive at your new location.

  1. Place heavy items like blankets or pillows to the bottom of the box. Ensure there’s enough space to hang your clothes comfortably without any wrinkling.
  2. Wrap and store shoes to the base of the hanger boxes to help save storage space.

Sealing and labeling clothes boxes

  1. Ensure you have the right size box to help avoid overloading moving containers. 4.5 cubic foot boxes are the best size for most clothes.
  2. Assemble boxes carefully. Seal the bottom and edges to help prevent any spills while lifting.
  3. Form protective layers on the bottom and sides of boxes to help protect clothing from moving rigors.
  4. Always cover the top layer of clothing in each box with packing paper before closing the lid.
  5. Cover and seal each box with packing tape.
  6. Label each box to help locate clothing categories quickly when unpacking

Packing shoes

packing shoes for a move

Shoes can suffer from scruff marks easily, and especially when moving. Pack them in shoe boxes, shoe bags, suitcases, or at the bottom of regular packing boxes. First, wrap each shoe in packing paper and place them at the base of your moving boxes.

If you’re using a suitcase,  place small items like socks to help cushion the shoes in the suitcase. It also helps minimize any squashing or scratches on the shoes. Stuff shoes with items like foam, rolled up socks, newsprint, and other items to help keep their shape when moving.

Shoeboxes: Seal the sides of the shoebox with tape or enclose it with a rubber band or string to help protect the box’s base.

Packing A Suitcase For A Long Distance Move

It is a good idea to pack a suitcase on a long-distance move. Depending on how your travel schedule works out, you may not receive your move inventory until a few days after you personally arrive at your new location. Packing a suitcase with enough clothing to make it through the few days while you are waiting for your inventory to arrive will be very important.

Now your clothes & shoes are ready to go!

Protecting valuable clothing and shoes when moving is essential to ensure they arrive without wrinkles or scratches. Each packing method in our useful guide will help equip you with everything you need to pack them properly. If you are looking for Olympia to do the packing and unpacking for you click here for a free estimate.

How to Pack A Computer and Electronics for Moving

Almost everything we do today is tech-driven. Computers and electronics play a significant role in our lives, whether at home or at the office. Electronic devices represent some of our most expensive and treasured items, and we should take special care to protect them, especially when moving. There are some best practices when it comes to how to pack a computer and electronic for moving.

These devices include laptops, Pcs, tablets, printers, cartridges, TVs, DVDs, CDs, VCRs, keyboards, remote controls, Blu-rays, speakers, video games, and consoles. Packing electronics and computers for moving can be seamless. Here are some crucial tips to guide you to avoid any damage or loss when you pack a computer and electronics for moving.

Packing Tools You Will Need

  • Packing boxes
  • Wrapping Paper
  • Packing Tape
  • Cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Markers
  • Colored Stickers
  • Plastic Storage Bags
  • Cushions or blankets

Where to Start

Keeping a range of cables, accessories, and other electronic parts together can be a challenge. Start by grouping items according to size and how you plan to pack them.

Unplug all cables. Remove any batteries from all equipment to reduce any chances of overheating during travel. Keep these items one location to assemble them later without hassle. It is important to keep in mind that lithium batteries are not allowed on your move because they are fire hazardous.

Disconnect any Blu-ray, DVDs, or CDs from your electronic devices. Use packing tape to keep any portals or print heads shut while moving. Make a list of the equipment and accessories so you can keep track of them during set up at the destination.

Packing a printer for movingPrinters

Remove toner cartridges from printers and wrap them in plastic to minimize dust or liquid damage.  Stack them from heavy to light, and keep the wires, cables, and other accessories together.

Wrap each item in wrapping paper. You can place the cables atop or to the side of the equipment as you wrap.

Packing Computer Monitors

Place rolls of packing paper to the bottom of the moving box. Wrap the monitor in wrapping paper or bubble wrap. Place the equipment in a side-standing position inside. Fill in any empty spaces to help protect sensitive parts when moving.

Computers

Office and home computers store highly sensitive information. Keep your data safe by backing it up to your cloud or rigid drive systems before the move.

Secure your passwords in the unlikely event your equipment becomes lost or stolen when moving. If you’re able, remove the card of your Pcs motherboard to help keep it safe.  If possible, it is recommended to move your laptop or computer yourself in your own vehicle due to the high value of both the device and its contents.

Clean your PC to ensure it is free of dust particles that can shift and clog your system during moving.

Disconnect any cables, dongles, and other accessories from your system before placing it in the moving box. Roll each wire and secure it with a band or twist tie. Place the cables in a storage bag for safe-keeping. You can also tape each cable to the device in the same package.

Wrap the PC in packing paper and place everything together in the box.

Additional Electronics Moving Tips

Avoid using Styrofoam packing chips around your computer. Some experts suggest the chips may allow static to form that can damage your equipment.

Do not use newsprint to wrap your monitor screens. The print may cause scratches that may be hard to remove.  It is better to use non-static padding or non-printed packing paper.

After packing each box, place a cushion, folded blanket, or balled-up packing paper atop the equipment to provide another buffer layer when in-transit. Close the lids, seal, and label the box, including any handling instructions. This is key when you pack a computer and electronics.

Tv being packed for moving Moving Flat Screen TVs

It’s best to re-pack flat-screen TVs in the original box, if possible. The styrophon modeling will secure the TV in the box so it doesn’t move or slide. It will also protect from some impact it will take while moving.

Your second alternative is to purchase a TV box from your mover. These boxes are specially designed for TVs and will provide similar protection to your TV as the original box.

Labeling

Labeling will help locate your items when you begin to unpack at your new worksite or home.

Label each box after sealing it to ensure you can quickly identify the items and where you plan to set them up.

It’s a good idea to color-code each item and all accompanying parts or accessories to organize them and minimize loss or displacement.

Place color-coded markers or stickers on each piece of equipment and its other parts and group them. Use stickers to mark the tips of cables to help you remember which device they will fit.

Attach color-coded marks on the sockets for each device and cables to help re-attach them easily.

Setting Up At Your New Place

Re-connecting electronics and computer equipment can be tricky. Always refer to your manuals to ensure you understand how to set up at your new location.

Unpack one packing box at a time, beginning with the more oversized items like your PC or television.

Remove the cables and accessories for each item. Set the equipment in place, and connect the cables to the power supply. Refer to the color marker or stickers to guide you when re-assembling parts.

Afterwards, run the system to ensure it’s working correctly. After you’re satisfied, move on to the next packing box. Repeat the setup steps until you complete the process.

Finishing Touches

Many people rely heavily on technology to drive their day-to-day activities at home and work. Therefore, computer and electronic equipment constitute a considerable investment that requires protection when moving from one location to the next.

Securing your valuable equipment is easy if you plan to organize the assembling, packing, and re-assembling of each item. These activities will help keep parts and accessories together and ensure your entire relocation process goes off without a hitch. These methods can be extremely affective when you have to pack a computer and electronics. If you are looking to have professionals pack your computer and electronics, click here for a free quote today.

How to Move a Home Gym

For fitness enthusiasts, your home gym is your hub. However, moving your gym equipment may pose some challenges if you don’t know where to start. Figuring out how to move a home gym can be a breeze or a major headache. We share your concerns and can help you make a workable plan that is stress-free. Whether you hire a moving company or choose to pack it yourself, here’s how to get started.

If a Mover is Handling the Gym

The most painless way to move a home gym is by utilizing a moving company. Since exercise equipment is often heavy, fragile, and valuable, the best choice may be to leave it to the professionals. When you are getting a moving quote, be sure to point out the gym equipment to the moving company’s representative, and ask how they will handle it.

A good mover will work with a specialized tech to disassemble and reassemble your home gym equipment. This will cost a bit more, but you will have the convenience of not having to disassemble complicated gym machines. This is also the best financial protection if your equipment is damaged during the relocation. A moving company is not liable for broken gym equipment if the customer does not choose to use a recommended tech. If you are looking to save money on your move and would like to disassemble your equipment on your own, your mover will ask you to sign a waiver clearing them from any liability of the equipment.

Have a plan

Organizing your gym pieces will help you track the items and figure out a plan to pack and move.

packing small items from your home gym

Start by grouping by larger equipment such as:

  • Rowing machines
  • Elliptical
  • Treadmill
  • Weight lifting machine
  • Weights
  • Weight benches

Smaller pieces include

  • Jump ropes
  • Indoor cycles
  • Steppers
  • Kettle balls
  • Hand weights
  • Portable steps
  • Yoga mats
  • Barbells
  • Dumbells
  • Free weights

Prep, Clean, Repair

Clean each piece of gym equipment before you begin to box up or disassemble them. Give each item a thorough wipe down with multi-purpose cleaner and fresh rags to remove any dust or dirt. Clean the hand and foot supports, and every surface your body touches while exercising.

Next, check each piece or parts that may be loose, broken, or missing. Locate any extra parts and label them for easy retrieval and assembling.

Select the right packaging for your home gym

Choosing the correct packing containers is essential to ensure your equipment will not roll or break the packaging. While ordinary packing boxes may not work for heavy pieces, use them for lighter items like yoga mats and jump ropes.

Here are some items that may be useful for packing your gym:

  • Newspaper
  • Packing paper
  • Unused towels, blankets, and bedding
  • Bubble wrap
  • Plastic tubs or bins
  • Milk crates
  • Plastic bags
  • Zip ties
  • Rope
  • Furniture dolly
  • Tie-down straps
  • Bungee cords
  • Packaging tape

Moving Stationary Bikes

While moving a stationary bike is somewhat easy, there are a few things you need to know. Disconnect the current, and place the power cables in bags with labels. Next, cover the bike with a sheet or blanket and protect your flooring with items like towels, furniture slides, towels, or cardboard sheets. Movers will use floor protection made from polynite or similar material.

Get some extra hands and wheel the stationary bike out and onto the moving van.

How to move an elliptical machine

Moving and packing your elliptical

Deciding how you’re going to move the machine helps determine how much help you will need. You will need:

  • Blankets, sheets, or towels
  • Ratchet ties
  • Tie-down straps
  • Furniture dolly

First, switch off the machine and remove the plug from the socket. Tip the machine to a side and push the tie-down straps under it. Next, bring the straps over the footholds and legs. Fasten the straps with the ratchet tie to keep the machine steady when moving.

Place the furniture dolly alongside the elliptical. You and your helper will now flank the machine on either side. Get a firm hold and move in sync with your helper to lift it onto the furniture dolly. Secure padding like blankets, sheets, or towels over the machine to protect it from scratching walls, doors, or other surfaces.

You’ll also need some help if you have to maneuver the machine down the stairs. Slowly lift the machine from the dolly and place it on the moving van. Take off the covering and ratchet tie and check to see if the legs are moving freely.

How to pack collapsible gym equipment

If your machine parts are collapsible, fold them down and set them in the lock position to avoid movement during transport. For power cords and other electrical components, use  masking tape or packaging tape to stick them onto the machine for safe keeping.

Moving lightweight home gym items

Use storage boxes for packing up your gym bags, yoga blocks, mats, blankets, and towels. Newspaper or bubble wrap is ideal for covering items like barbells, kettle balls, hand weights, and barbells. Make sure you use several sized containers to balance the importance of the things you place in the crates, and that you pack items like weights in the smallest possible boxes for easier lifting.

Moving Free Weights

Make sure that the crate or box you are using is strong and sturdy so your weights do not fall through. Depending on how much weight you have in your container, a cardboard box may not be suitable for the job. Pack these separate from other gym equipment and materials to avoid damages. Be mindful of how much free weights you are putting into a single container. The box will be too heavy to lift if your weights are not distributed evenly. Wrap the weights will bubble wrap or newspaper to protect the weights. Fill the container will towels or some type of cushioning to prevent the weights from shifting and sliding in the container.

packing and moving a treadmillHow to pack your treadmill

Before you start, switch off the power supply and unplug or detach any electrical wiring nearby. Fold each section of the treadmill following the instructions in your manual. If there’s a belt on your machine, roll it up and secure it to help reduce any scratching.

Lock any moving parts to avoid shifting while on the road. Now you have the treadmill ready, lift it onto the furniture dolly, and then to the moving vehicle. When lifting off the van, slide it onto the furniture dolly and carefully roll it into your new location. To re-assemble, unlock the moving parts and set up according to your manual.

How to move weight machines

Weight machines can be a bit tricky to move, but quite doable. Some parts may have uneven shapes that may not fit into traditional packing boxes. First, follow the instructions in your manual to ensure you detach the parts correctly.

Use storage bags to pack smaller items like bolts, screws, and nuts. Use some tape to stick them onto the appropriate piece of furniture to re-attach when setting up in your new place. Wrap any bulky items in old sheets, blankets, or towels if they cannot fit into moving crates.

The padding will help reduce any friction that may cause damage to other items during transport. Likewise, use some padding to wrap metal bars and weights to help protect against scratches.

Wrap It Up

Your home gym is a considerable investment in trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle from the comfort of your home. Always check your manual to ensure you secure each item to avoid damage during transport. This can help you a ton when figuring out how to move a home gym.

Make an inventory and stick smaller parts to their appropriate attachments. Cover each item to avoid damage to your flooring, walls, and other equipment and furniture pieces.

While moving can be stressful, our handy guide is a sure way to make it as seamless as possible. If you are looking for a team of professionals to handle the move for, you can get a free estimate by clicking here.

How To Pack For A Move – The Basics

How To Pack For A Move

Packing up and moving away to a new home or location can be very stressful. The secret to successful moving is in organizing your valuables to make it easy to pack, move, unpack, and re-stock. We will layout some how to pack for a move basics to help get you going in the right direction. Now keep in mind, packing for a move is complex due to the variety of items that you need to pack. Depending on the item, the packing process may vary greatly.

Packaging Materials Required:

Tape

Markers

Boxes of varying sizes

Bubble wrap

Blanket packing paper

Newsprint

Let’s Look At The Types Of Packing Materials:

BoxesHow to pack for a move

Boxes are a great way to store items to help protect them from the rigors of moving while shipping. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit almost every type of thing you need to pack.

3 cubic feet

This size box is ideal for packing canned foods, books, and more substantial items.

4.5 cubic feet

These slightly larger boxes are suitable for packing small lamps, lampshades, clothing, and shoes. You can also pack coats, quilts, blankets, children’s toys, and some lamps and lampshades depending on their height.

Dish boxes

They are taller and bigger than the other boxes and offer lots of protection for dishes, plates, glasses, and other fragile items. They come with dual-enforced walls for things that need additional cushioning during transport.

Paper

Paper is also another good source of packing material. You can choose a range of paper products to suit the item you wish to pack. Here are two good options:

How to pack for a moveNewsprint

Newsprint comprises over 95 percent wood pulp and is eco-friendly. It is ideal for wrapping fragile items like china, crystal, and other valuables. The paper is also highly absorbent and will protect your items from moisture during shipping.

Blanket paper

This type of wrapping paper consists of layers of high-quality, durable, breathable material. Blanket paper is excellent for wrapping picture frames, and large items like mirrors, televisions, computer monitors, and antiques. Besides, you can also wrap bedroom, living room and dining room furniture, fridges, washing machines, and freezers.

The layers help protect large items from scratches and bumps, and even damp, humid shipping conditions.

bubble wrap for packing and moving basics - Hwo to pack for a moveBubble Wrap

This is a type of clear, flexible wrapping solution that provides loft of cushioning for a wide range of packing needs. It consists of sheets of film with air bubbles trapped inside the layers. Bubble wrap is lightweight and comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses.

It is one of the best packing materials available. It’s highly durable, affordable, recyclable and reusable, and offers excellent protection for all your valuables. The eco-friendly material also provides lots of insulation and extra cushioning to help reduce friction on impact when shipping.

Bubble wrap is also very versatile and suitable for wrapping items of almost any shape or size. You can also use the sheets to help provide layers of lining in your packing boxes. The lining acts as a protective barrier for delicate items.

Tapes

Taping is essential to seal your boxes to help protect the boxes from opening during transport. You can seal the items before placing them in the boxes and also around the seams of the boxes for extra reinforcement.

Tapes are available in brown or transparent colors, among others. Choose a durable sticky tape that can withstand hot and cold temperatures as well as moisture.

Before You Begin To Pack:

  • Have all of your packing materials close to hand.
  • Set up your workstation with paper, bubble wrap, tape, scissors, and markers.
  • Select a table or countertop with adequate space for comfort and convenience.
  • Lay your wrapping material on a flat surface.
  • Select the size box for the item you wish to pack.
  • Proceed to wrap, seal, and box the items according to instructions.

Packing Tips:

  1. Make a list of each item by room
  2. Label each box as you pack
  3. Place heavier items at the bottom of each box
  4. Fill up extra spaces in the box to avoid friction
  5. Seal each box when full

Wrap UP

Moving and packing can be an exciting and daunting task all at the same time. Taking care of your valuables is essential and needs special attention to keep them intact during transport. Make sure you use the correct packing materials and procedures for each item you wish to store.

Finally, label each box and make a list of all items according to the rooms they will go in when you relocate. It will help make unpacking and setting up a more enjoyable and stress-free experience. To hire a professional and to help with all your moving packing needs click here.

Guide For Moving Paintings & Art

How To Move Art And Paintings

Art is an investment. A single painting can easily cost thousands of dollars – and could even have a value defined as something else than the monetary worth of the piece. The value of art or a painting can be defined by several factors, including ritualistic and cultural factors, as well as sentimental value.

When you decide to move, the transportation of any art and paintings in your house should be handled with care. Without the right approach, you might end up disappointed when you open up these pieces at your new house, only to find that your valued possessions have been damaged. We take a look at the most effective methods to move art and paintings to a new house, without risking damage.

Woman looking at a painting she is going to moveMoving Your Art And Paintings

Moving seems like a relatively simple process. You simply pack all of your possessions into boxes, load them up in the moving truck, and they are taken to your new home. Unfortunately, with some items, you do need to take a few extra steps – this is especially important with the items you own that have a lot of value to them. This includes both monetary and sentimental value.

Wrapping The Art

The process should start with packing. First, consider if the painting has a glass cover at its front. If it does, then you can skip ahead to wrapping it with paper or bubble wrap. If not, however, you need to get some plastic wrap first. Cover the entire painting with this wrap as it will help to prevent damage to the painting itself.a couple taking down a painting they are going to wrap and move

You need to get paper or bubble wrap, as well as a lot of cardboard. Start by wrapping your paintings in paper pads – add multiple layers to increase the protection. Each of your paintings or art pieces need to be enclosed with paper or bubble wrap, as well as cardboard. Make sure to add additional cardboard at the corners of the product, should it be a painting.

For paintings and are framed in glass, put a thick cardboard cover over the glass before wrapping it with the paper or bubble wrap. This will act as a protective layer to the glass to sure that your item is transported safely.

When you place the painting or art in a box, be sure to add multiple paper or bubble wrap layers at the bottom of the box. In addition to covering the bottom region of the box, make sure to add some paper or bubble wrap to the sides as well. You want to maximize the protection of the product.

It is also a good idea to consider adding some scrunched-up paper to the bottom of the box, as well as the sides as you place the paper in the box.

Taking Precaution

Be sure to make appropriate marks on the paintings. Use a permanent marker to add an “X” to the wrapping of paintings where glass is present. This will help you see which of the paintings are at risk of not only becoming damaged but also a glass panel breaking.

The same procedure should ideally be followed for sculptures and other art. Thoroughly cover the entire item in cling wrap. Follow this by many layers of bubble wrap. The more wrapping you add, the better the protection. Make sure to mark the boxes of sculptures and other art, particularly in cases where the sculpture is fragile.

Large and small boxes

Most likely you will be boxing your framed art. You need to box your items in a way that will maximize the protection of your art pieces. After wrapping your framed art you will want to put it in a smaller box. The smaller box will have rolled tissue paper in it at the bottom and the top. This will act as a bumper while for the art piece and provides extra cushioning while in the box. You will then put the small box in the larger box with rolled cushioning inside the larger box to provide the same protection as you did with the smaller box. Check out our video on packing with small and large boxes.

 

 

Valuables and Fragiles

Protecting your extremely valuable and fragile art is a priority when moving. These pieces require extra attention. Depending on the art piece, putting the item in a traditional box may not be the best move. Extremely valuable and fragile items can be crated to ensure no possible damage. There are many ways to crate valuable pieces of art. Whether its foam covering, layered crate walls, or heated shrink wrap, all of these are customized to your specific art piece. This customized protection will ensure that these very important pieces arrive at the destination safely.

 

Crating Items Sculptures

If you do find that your sculptures are not appropriate for wrapping and fitting in a box, then you should consider crating them. This can be an effective method for keeping the sculpture in pristine condition while it is being transported. Many sculptures can have on angles and points that won’t fit into a traditional box. On top of this, some sculptures are extremely fragile. Packing these sculptures in a crate will be the best strategy for protecting this kind of art piece

When moving with art and paintings, you need to ensure you take special precautions during the packaging and transit of these items. We looked at a step-by-step guide to help preserve your precious possessions and ensure they come out in pristine condition at your new home. To hire a professional mover trained to pack for safety, click here for a free estimate.

Tips for Moving Outdoor Gear

Warm weather and warm water makes summer a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts. Summer is also a popular time to move. Often, the greatest challenge of a move is knowing how to safely pack your favorite equipment.

Here are Olympia’s tips for moving your outdoor gear!

Canoes and Kayaks

Never fear water warriors! Your kayaks and canoes can be moved just like the rest of your belongings. Inform your moving crew ahead of time that you have a large specialty item and they can handle packing and loading it for you. Prior to that, it’s important to dry and clean any watercraft you are moving. You won’t want old, scummy water dripping on your furniture in the truck.

For older wooden canoes, consider wrapping the seats and interior with a moving pad or bubble wrap so that the entire item is secure. Wooden bench seats are especially vulnerable to chipping during transport.

 

Moving Fishing Gear

Fishing rods are at high risk of breaking during a move. Prevent this is to purchase a fishing rod case. However, if you are more of a DIY fan, use a length of PVC pipe, some Styrofoam, and packing tape to construct a protective shell around your best angling rods.

Your tackle box should be secured with packing tape as well, just in case a lot of loving use has weakened the clasps.

Moving Tents

Don’t be the poor soul who tossed your tent bag. Tents are one of the few pieces of gear that come with easy moving. Pack your tent bag as is. If you need extra protection to prevent tears in the canvas, wrap the bag in plastic wrap.

Moving Bikes

Bikes are incredibly awkward pieces of equipment to move. Unfortunately, in the absence of a bike rack and a car, the only option to move a bike is on a moving truck.

The first step to moving a bike is considering disassembly. If you can, removing the pedals, seat, and wheels will go a long way to making transport easier. The second step would be finding an appropriate box to store the bike. Unless you had the foresight to keep the box your bike came in, regular moving boxes won’t do the trick. Bike shops are a good place to go to pick up discarded shipping boxes from inventory deliveries. Leave the handles out when you pack the frame–it will give your movers something to hold when carrying it.

For the high-end bike own, there is an option to purchase a bike box. Bike boxes aren’t made of cardboard. Bike boxes are hard cases that certain bike frames can be stored in. Cyclist Weekly has a list of their top six bike boxes and bags.

Moving Skis and Snowboards

Much like tents and fishing rods, cases and bags can be purchased for skis and snowboards. They can be transported in your own car, especially if there’s fresh powder in your destination. However, if you plan on loading skis or snowboards into a moving truck, a long box may be preferable to a bag. UPS has a store locator to find somewhere to purchase large equipment boxes. Alternatively, wrap this winter gear in moving pads to prevent scratching and load into a wardrobe or lamp box.

Moving Gardening Tools

Not all outdoor gear is for sport. If you’ve got an armory of gardening tools, now is the time to start sorting. Much like fishing tackle, smaller items like spades and pruners should be locked in a tool box and secured. Tie together larger tools like shovels and wrap them in one or two moving blankets. For extra protection for you and your movers, use bubble wrap or towels. The key is to cover up any sharp edges so you and the movers are not hurt in transit and the tools do not scratch your other items in the truck. After wrapping and bundling the large tools, you can load them into a wardrobe box.

If  you are moving to chase more outdoor adventures, contact Olympia Moving and Storage today at 800-222-4744 or fill out our free estimate form.

 

How To Pack Records and Record Players

How To Pack Records and Record Players

Donna Summer, Fleetwood Mac, and Creedence Clearwater Revival all have to travel to your new home — make sure they get there in one piece! Follow our tips for safely packing records to move.

Use Quality Sleeves

Remove records from their jackets and paper sleeves. Toss the paper sleeves in favor of a poly sleeve for the record itself. Slide the jacket into its own outer sleeve, but do not reinsert the record into its jacket. Stack records vertically against their jackets when packing them into their box.

Invest in high-quality sleeves to prevent wear on jackets and records.

Pack Records Tight

Don’t leave records free to shift around in their boxes or they might chip on the ride to your new home. Pack them as tight as you can in 1.5 cu. ft. size (small) box, the best size for the width and weight of the records. For extra protection, fill your boxes with foam inserts, packing paper, or bubble wrap. Records can be heavy, so an additional benefit to a small box is separating your collection into manageable weights for moving.

If you’re unsure about the general best practices for packing, check out Olympia’s How To Pack series.

Keep It Cool

If you’re moving in high heat, your records are at risk of warping. Avoid leaving your records in the heat of the moving truck for an extended period of time. Interstate moves with records can be risky for this reason, so if you have the option, consider bringing your records in your car with you.

Make a Packing (Play)List

Keep a detailed list of all the records you own and their current condition to avoid unhappy surprises during unpacking. This also helps speed up organization when you arrive in your new home. Alphabetical order by artist is the most common method, but you can always pack your records in the order that you want to display them to save time.

How To Pack Record Players

If possible, remove the platter, tone arm, and turntable from the record player. Individually wrap each piece in packing paper or anti-static bubble wrap. Pack the player and its parts into a secure box with the heaviest pieces at the bottom. Fill any empty space in the box with foam, bubble wrap, and other sturdy material. If these parts cannot be removed, particularly the arm or needle guard, secure them with tape or twist ties.

If you are unsure about removing parts on your record player, focus instead on keeping all the components as secure as possible. Tape down any moving parts and secure the entire object in bubble wrap and foam. Just like your records, if you are putting you record player in a box, pack it with as little space as possible to prevent it from knocking around during the move.

If you and your record collection are ready to move, contact Olympia Moving & Storage to plan your move. Fill out our form online or give us a call at 800-222-4474 for a free estimate.

How to Safely Pack Gaming Equipment

Your Xbox, Playstation, and consoles are sometimes among the most valuable items you are moving. It essential to safely pack gaming equipment so it does not get damaged during the transit of a move. It’s dangerous for your gaming equipment to go alone – take this advice from Olympia for moving your consoles safely.

The Tips for Packing Gaming Equipment

First things first, give your game consoles and electronic equipment a good cleaning or dusting. You don’t want to pack dusty equipment.

Find good packaging

Gather all the packaging you’ll need. The original packaging is the best choice, since it has already been optimized to provide the most protection to your device. If the Xbox or PlayStation box is long gone, check out allcases.com to find the right size hard shell electronics box. Though it is not the best choice, a regular cardboard box close in size to your device will do, as long as you only pack gaming equipment in that box.

Protect your valuables

If you’re not using an original or specialized box, it’s essential to add padding to protect your devices from rattling around, cracking or breaking. Avoid packing peanuts – they give off static electricity which can cause your electronics to short out or reduce their life span. The best packing materials are newspapers, clothes, or anti-static bubble wrap.

Organization is your best friend

Keep cords and controllers with their console. Don’t forget to protect your controllers too! Improper packing can cause loss of sensitivity in the controller’s buttons and joysticks. Neatly wrap the cords and protect each controller individually. Put all the parts of each console into the same box, which will keep each gaming system separated and organized. Avoid packing anything that is not gaming equipment in the same box.

Label your boxes

Meticulously labelled boxes are an unpacker’s best friend. Keep a list on a pad of paper as you pack each item. Noting even the smallest of things will save you time later!

The Best Method to Pack Gaming Equipment

Follow these step by step instructions to safely pack your gaming system:

  1. Before you unplug anything, make sure you take out any discs or games inside your system. Leaving it inside can damage the game.
  2. If your system has a rechargeable battery, remove it from the system before packing.
  3. Wrap the console, controllers, and any accessories per the tips above
  4. Place a layer of padding on the bottom of the box before putting anything in it. Learn the “burrito method” in our packing basics video.
  5. Put the individually wrapped items in the box with the heaviest items on the bottom and the lightest on the top
  6. Fill in any empty spaces with extra padding or paper to make sure pieces don’t shift around during transit
  7. Place a second layer of padding across the top before you close the box.
  8. Label your box with everything in it! The more specific you are, the sooner you will be playing games in your new home.

By following these instructions you’ll be able to get to your new home and switch from Pack Man to Pac Man. When you’re ready to move, give us a call at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate!