|
MATERIALS
NEEDED
|
Cardboard Boxes (Various Sizes)
Newsprint (Paper Without Ink On It)
Newspaper
Bubble Wrap
Scissors or Box Knife
Moving Blankets If Available |
Tape
Black Marker
Pencil or Pen
Paper Pad
Hand Truck If Available
String and/or Rope |
GENERAL
TIPS
Getting
Ready
● |
Give
yourself plenty of time and make sure you are well rested. Most
packing accidents and back strain occur when the packer is rushing
or over-tired. |
● |
Set
yourself up near the middle of the room, on a sturdy table if
possible to prevent back strain from too much bending. |
● |
Start
a master inventory list showing the box name or number and a
description of the contents. Keep this list at home. It will
help you find the things you need from time to time. |
● |
Reinforce
the bottom of each carton with extra tape and/or an additional
layer of cardboard. |
● |
Try
to fill each box with heavier items on the bottom and lighter
ones on top using plenty of packing paper in the spaces. |
● |
Be
good to your back. Be careful not to overfill any box and make
it too heavy. Put your heaviest items in smaller boxes. |
● |
Don't
pack your tools! You will need them to disassemble and re-assemble
your other items during packing and unpacking |
SPECIFIC
TRICKS
Lamps: Pack shades in individual boxes with bubble wrap. (Newspaper can
stain them.) Remove all light bulbs. Wrap bases in bubble wrap and
pack them in boxes.
Appliances
(large): Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer, and drain
the water from your washing machine. Wipe the interiors dry. Remove
all fittings and accessories and pack in plastic bags. Fill interiors
with clothes and/or stuffed toys. Stuff towels between the washing
machine sides and tub to keep the tub from rotating. Tape or tie
down all moveable parts and doors. Finally, cover appliances with
pads and tie with rope. Remember to move large appliances in an upright
position. Watch out for external coils on the back of major appliances.
Never put the hand truck strap on top of coils. Leave refrigerator
or freezer doors open for ventilation.
Appliances
(small) & Electronics: Pack in boxes if possible and
cushion with plenty of bubble wrap or plain newsprint. Pack in original
shipping boxes, if possible, and follow manufacturer’s shipping
instructions. Immobilize moving parts (i.e., place disk in disk drive).
Detach and label all wires and cords. Consider double boxing and cushioning
with bubble wrap or paper. Remember not to place CDs and software in
temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.
Breakables
and Mirrors: Wrap fragile items (glass or ceramics) with bubble wrap
and tape securely. Small mirrors can be wrapped in bubble wrap or
plain newsprint and packed in boxes. But large mirrors and paintings
should be wrapped in bubble wrap or plain newsprint and covered with
cardboard. Store these items on their side, not flat. Wrap delicate
items in bubble wrap or paper and place in furniture drawers.
Curtains: If you have draperies dry cleaned, leave them in wrapping and hang
them in a wardrobe box. Put curtain rod hardware in plastic bags
and tape securely to rod - then you'll have the right pieces when
you need them.
Dishes: Never stack dishes flat. Wrap each piece in bubble wrap or use foam
dish packs. Pack dishes, saucers and platters on their edge. Nestle
cups and bowls, cushion with dishtowels, potholders, or plain newsprint.
(Never use printed newspaper.)
Glasses: Wrap separately in bubble wrap and use newspaper for cushioning.
Kitchenware: Pots, pans, colanders, etc. can be nestled and cushioned with bubble
wrap or plain newsprint between each piece. Set aside the most essential
cookware for the first few days in your new home. Label this box
as the first to be opened once you arrive.
Furniture: Cover furniture with dust shields to protect against dust. Stay away
from covering furniture with plastic in non-climate controlled units;
use cotton or other covers that "breath" instead.
Condensation can form on the underside of plastic, often causing more
damage than the cover prevents. Wooden furniture and objects may be
sensitive to moisture; wax them before storage.
Other
Packing Tips and Tricks:
● |
Fill
your boxes completely to prevent the boxes from tipping over. |
● |
Stack
chairs seat to seat with cloth or plain paper to separate them. |
● |
Wipe
all metal surfaces with a cloth containing a few drops of machine
oil. Don't go overboard; a little goes a long way to avoiding
condensation damage. |
● |
Leave
breathing room (a small air space) between your belongings and
the storage unit walls. |
● |
Set
the bottom row of cartons on scrap pieces of wood to create an
air space with the floor. Loading Your U-Box-It Unit What Size
Box Should I Rent? |
LOADING YOUR U-BOX-IT UNIT
What
Size Box Should I Rent:
● |
An
8’ x 10’ U-Box-It
has about 80 square feet or about 600 cubic feet of storage space,
with doors at one end only. This is roughly equal to the space
you might need for two pick-up truck loads, or the contents of
a typical one bedroom apartment. |
● |
An
8’ x 15’ U-Box-It
has about 120 square feet or about 900 cubic feet of storage space
with doors at BOTH ends. This is roughly equal to the space you
would need for 3-4 pick-up truck loads, or the contents of a typical
one bedroom apartment. |
Self
vs. Mobile/Portable Storage:
● |
When loading a U-Box-It as
a self storage unit at one of our facilities..
- It
is a good idea to leave an aisle for walking down the center
to better access your belongings.
- Shelving and hanging pars are easily installed using the tie
bars built into our side walls.
|
● |
When
loading a U-Box-It that is to be moved with your belongings
inside…
- It
is not recommended to leave a center aisle. Instead, you
should evenly distribute your belongings across the full
bottom of the storage box with the heavier items closer to
the floor.
- Try
to fill all the floor space to prevent shifting damage.
- Use
rope and the interior tie-down bars to help secure boxes
and furniture.
- Place
a 2 x 4 or other scrap wood on the floor across the door opening
to prevent the load from shifting against the doors.
- Firmly
engage and secure the interior and exterior door locks.
- NOTE:
Your U-Box-It is tilted slightly to be hoisted and loaded
for transit and that the truck/trailer suspension is not
on par with a normal passenger vehicle thus some shifting
should be expected and guarded against.
|
General
Loading Advice:
● |
Place
heavy or bulky items in the unit first to provide a good stacking
base. |
● |
Do
not place heavy items on sofas or mattresses. |
● |
Put
the items you need to get to most near the front. |
● |
Tape
a copy of your master box inventory list on the inside of one
of the doors. |
● |
Maximize
space…stack
similar sized boxes together. |
What
Not to Store in Your U-Box-It:
● |
Do not store hazardous materials
of any kind in your U-Box-It or any other storage unit! This includes
charcoal, lighter fluid, gas canisters, paint, aerosol cans, matches,
cleaning solvents, etc. Remember to drain gasoline and oil from
equipment to be stored. Empty propane tanks and properly purge
hoses |
● |
Do not store any items that
are susceptible to heat or cold or changes in temperature or humidity
in your U-Box-It! This includes all food, plants or other perishables. |
● |
Do not store any items that
are wet or damp or otherwise not fully dry in your U-Box-it! |
● |
Do not store collectibles,
heirlooms, jewelry, works of art, or property having personal or
sentimental value in your U-Box-It or any other storage unit! |
● |
Do not store property or
belongings with a total value in excess of $5,000 in your U-Box-It
or any other storage unit! |
| ● |
Do not store property or
belongings weighing more than 2,500 lbs evenly distributed in your
U-Box-It! |
Remember
to use these guidelines – BECAUSE YOUR
BELONGINGS ARE VALUABLE!
For
Us at U-Box-It, It’s All About “U” !!
|
