San
Antonio moving tips & advice:
Do-It-Yourself
Movers Guide...
How
do you pack those items that are hard to wrap or items of value?
Here are some simple packing tips:
How
to Pack Furniture:
- Disassemble
furniture if possible and cover
- Wrap
table legs separately
- Lay
down padding between your furniture and the floor of the truck
- Place
tables with legs assembled top down on floor with legs up
- Stack
chairs seat to seat
Packing
China:
- Use
special "dishpak" boxes
- Wrap
plates, saucers, and bowls individually using several sheets
of paper each
- Start
from the corner, wrapping diagonally, continuously tucking in
edges
- After
wrapping individually, wrap 4-6 pieces in a bundle with a double
layer of newspaper
- Place
cushioning material in bottom of carton
- Place
flat, heavier pieces like platters, plates on bottom
- Place
bundled items in a carton in a row on edge.
- Surround
each bundle with crushed paper, being careful to leave no unfilled
spaces.
- Cups
and glassware should be wrapped in a double layer of paper and
placed upside down on rims in a row on an upper layer within
the box with all the handles facing the same direction.
Packing
Clothing:
- Shoes
may be left in shoe boxes and placed into large cartons.
- Or,
wrap each shoe individually, then in pairs.
- Shoes
should be cushioned to avoid damage occurring to high heals
or ornaments.
- Do
not pack heavy items on shoes.
- Clothing
may be left on hangers and transported in wardrobe cartons.
- Lightweight
clothing such as hose, lingerie and sweaters may be left in
dresser drawers.
Lamps:
- Remove
the light bulb
- Wrap
the base, harp and bulb separately, in newsprint, and place
together in a carton, filling spaces with crushed paper
- Never
wrap the lamp shade in newspaper.
- Carefully
wrap each shade in 3-4 sheets of fresh tissue paper, a pillow
case or large lightweight towel
Pictures
and Glass:
- Use
a standard picture box or cover both sides of the picture with
cardboard
- Place
packing paper along the sides and edges of the picture to prevent
it from moving inside the box
- Place
no more than 3 or 4 pictures in one box
- Keep
the box right side up at all times
What
NOT to Pack:
Heat
from the sun can raise temperatures inside a closed moving van
and trucks to more than 150 degrees. Even in the middle of winter,
heat builds up inside. Many common items, including aerosol hair
spray or cleaning products, can trigger an explosion or fire that
could destroy your possessions when packed inside a van.
For
your own safety, make sure that no member of your family packs
these items in a container to be moved. Replacing a can of hair
spray is much easier than replacing all of your belongings.
We
want you to have a satisfying move. For the safety of your belongings,
review the list below and eliminate all dangerous items before
packing:
Hair
spray
Cleaning products
Shaving cream
Spray starch
Deodorants
Insecticides
Spray paint
Oil-based paints
Bleach
Gasoline
Muriatic acid
Kerosene
Auto batteries
Naptha
Propane in tanks*
Tar remover
Oxygen in tanks
Paint thinners
Lighter fluid
Turpentine
Matches
Lacquer remover
Ammunition
Mineral spirits
Chlorine granules or powder
Any other type of combustible
Moving
your Plants:
How
to Make Sure Your Plants Survive the Move
By Kate Kemp
If
you have house plants, and you're moving to a new location, you
have three options: donate 'em, dump 'em, or dare to take 'em
with you. So, you may not care for your plants like a "Professional,"
but Charlie Nardozzi, senior horticulturist for The National
Gardening Association, provides some great advice for
those who can't bear to leave their precious plants behind:
If
you're flying to the new location: "I believe your first
step should be to contact the airline you are traveling with.
They most likely have very specific guidelines (and I bet regulations)
on transporting plant life. Also contact the Department
of Agriculture in the state you are moving to; they may
also have regulations to prevent the importation of pests."
If
you're traveling by vehicle: "For the plants that are going
in the truck, you should insure that your plants are in containers
that will not break. If they are in terra cotta pots, transfer
them to plastic. Perhaps it would be a good idea to go to your
local nursery or garden center and ask about those black plastic
nursery pots. Around here you can get used ones for a nickel a
piece! Be sure to sterilize them however."
Other
tips: "Your plants will need to be kept moist during their
journey. Give them a good watering and then wrap the soil tops
with sphagnum moss you have soaked overnight. I would then wrap
the whole pot in newspaper, and then in burlap. It probably would
not be out of order to loosely wrap the foliage in burlap also
to avoid breakage of leaves and stems." "For cuttings,
I would wrap them in the wet moss as well and wrap in newspaper.
Then place the wrapped cuttings in an UNSEALED ziploc bag. Place
the bags in a cardboard box with some sort of light packing material.
I mail cuttings and small plants quite often and this works well,
even when mailing across the country. I would definitely put these
on the truck...you don't want any unusual plants in baggies that
are boxed up going through the inspection process without you
there to explain...have you ever seen Midnight Express? Wouldn't
want all that trouble over a dieffenbachia now, would we?"
If
you're moving from a large space into a small one, and don't have
room for your plants, consider donating them to local nursing
homes and then you might want to contact The American
Community Gardening Association, 100 North 20th St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19103; ph# 215-988-8785 to find the closest community
garden. Otherwise, follow Charlie's advice, and both you and your
plants will continue to grow and flourish in your new environment!
Moving
Your Pet: It's a Jungle Out There
By Courtney Ronan
Realty Times Columnist
Last
week, Real Times passed along valuable tips for making
the moving experience less stressful for your pets. In
addition to the empty boxes, unfamiliar faces and strange
noises confronting pets, they're often traumatized by the
more jarring experiences of a plane ride, a lengthy car trip
and completely new surroundings with which to become
acquainted -- not to mention a new water source to which their
stomachs must become accustomed.
But
different species of pets respond to the moving experience in
different ways. Depending on whether your faithful companion is
a dog, cat, hamster, bird or something else, you'll need to take
special precautions to ensure their comfort. Take cats, for example.
Veterinarians warn that they're particularly vulnerable to stress.
Cats crave routine in their lives. The moving experience removes
all sameness: your cat's favorite spot by the window, the taste
of the water in his food dish, that place by the door where his
litter box is located.
Cats
are also control freaks. (If you doubt this theory, try switching
your cat's favorite kitty litter or nightly treats, and see how
he lets you know that he doesn't support your decision.) When
that sense of control over their surroundings is removed, cats
often respond by withdrawing, exhibiting a variety of uncharacteristic
personality changes, or becoming sick. In extreme cases, your
cat's immune system may become so suppressed that his health is
seriously affected.
The
solution: Maintain your cat's normal routine as much as possible.
During all of the pre-move commotion, confine him to one room
with his favorite toys, litter box, food and water. Make sure
you warn your movers that your cat's "room" is not to
be disturbed during the moving process. You may even consider
placing a sign on the door to prevent someone from opening the
door, and your cat from escaping.
When
it comes time to hit the road, place your cat in a roomy carrier
that enables him to stretch and have his food, water and a small
litter pan with him. Once you arrive at your new residence, do
the same thing you did before -- place your cat in a room with
his familiar belongings, and shut the door to tune out the noise.
Don't force your cat out of his carrier; let him come out when
he feels comfortable. The same goes for his acclimation process
to your new home. Slowly open the door to his room, and let him
come out and explore when he's ready. If he doesn't make a move
to leave the room, simply shut the door, and try again tomorrow.
When he meets you at the door and sticks his head out for a peek,
he's warming up to the idea of becoming familiar with his new
surroundings.
If
your cat has been allowed outdoors in the past, don't let him
outside until you've been at your new residence for several days.
When you're ready, place him on a leash for your first introductory
outings. Do this for the first three or four trips outdoors, and
then, if he seems comfortable, remove the leash and let him explore
the outdoors on his own.
Dogs
tend to adapt to moving more easily than cats. If you transport
your dog by car, be prepared to make frequent "rest stops"
with him -- and clean up after him (so have the necessary materials
to do so).
If
you travel by plane, a small dog may be able to fit under your
seat in his pet carrier. If your dog is larger in size, he's going
to have to travel in the cargo section (the belly) of the plane.
Consult with your vet before the move in order to take the necessary
measures to reduce stress. And make sure your flight is a direct
one so that your dog's carrier won't be exposed to the elements
while he waits for a plane transfer.
And
while it sounds obvious, many pet owners forget: If it's warm
outside, don't leave your pet inside the car. Call ahead to find
a hotel that accepts pets so as to avoid leaving your pet in the
car overnight. Birds present a unique scenario for any mover.
Most states require a health certificate for birds, and some states
require that birds have a series of health tests performed prior
to entry in their new home states. Again, check with your vet
long before your move takes place, and have him or her perform
all necessary tests and sign all paperwork ahead of time. Doing
your homework will avoid the possibility of any snags upon your
arrival at your destination.
If
you plan to transport your bird by car, remember that birds don't
respond well to temperature changes. Maintain a comfortable temperature
in your car at all times. Place a cover over your bird's cage
to help him feel secure and to avoid any cold drafts from opening
windows or doors. And make sure you've stocked his water and snack
supply. Like cats, birds thrive when their routines are held constant.
If
you have just a few fish, and your move is relatively short, place
them in plastic bags filled halfway with water, and place the
bags in an ice chest or other Styrofoam container to help maintain
the temperature of the water. If you own several fish, or if you're
traveling a longer distance, use plastic containers instead; around
10 gallons should be sufficient. Fill them halfway with water,
and change it often to keep your pets' surroundings clean. Place
one or two fish in each container. Overcrowding your fish, of
course, will "stress" them even more. Don't subject
your fish to variances in temperature by leaving containers in
the car for lengthy periods. If your journey is particularly long,
lasting more than two or three days, you're going to need an oxygenator
for your fish. Your best bet is to head to your local pet store
for a portable aerator.
If
you've got a small rodent, such as a gerbil, guinea pig, hamster
or mouse, the easiest solution is to transport them in their "homes"
-- their cages. Remove the water bottle; the jostling of your
car will cause it to leak on your pet's bedding. Make occasional
stops, during which you may insert the water bottle into the cage
to allow your pet to rehydrate. Maintain a cool, comfortable temperature
in your car. Never leave the cage in a warm car. And if the temperature
is cold outside, you may want to consider placing a cover over
a wire cage to insulate your faithful friend.
Regardless
of the species of pet you own, when in doubt, ask your vet. And
consider that whatever stress you're feeling is multiplied exponentially
for your pet, who has no clue what the commotion is all about
and why his surroundings are suddenly unfamiliar. The sound of
your voice and the maintenance of some degree of familiarity can
do much to alleviate the anxiety your pets feel during the moving
experience.
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