How To Pack A Wardrobe Box

Take advantage of wardrobe boxes because they can be used to pack pictures, fragile art pieces and they can all be padded with clothing or blankets. Please contact us for more information on our moving and storage services.

Spring Cleaning Tips From Our Grand Fork Movers

 

As your Grand Forks movers we are starting to see a lot of households take on their spring cleaning.  If you are planning a move in the next few months, now is the perfect time to start chipping away at the work load. Even though summer is known as the moving season, by planning ahead you can enjoy the summer weather more and clean while it’s still a bit chilly. With that said, we thought this would be the perfect time to go over some quick spring cleaning tips.

5 Spring Cleaning Tips for your Grand Forks Home

1. Baby Steps – Don’t try and get all the big jobs done in one weekend – like cleaning under the fridge or even repainting. Make a list of small job as well as big jobs and split them up over the weekends so you can get all your work done and still enjoy your social life.
2. Clean Green – No one wants to be cleaning all day with nasty chemicals and fumes. Opt for green cleaners, either store bought or homemade. If you are considering making your own cleaners, here is an article which provides instructions for glass cleaners, degreasers and more.
3. Yard Sale – Once you’ve made a list of cleaning projects start some piles for donations, yard sale nominees, recycling and garbage. Hosting a yard sale before the move or even just to get rid of some old belongings is a great way to make more room in your house and give it a fresh feeling.
4. Donations – Donations go a long way, so whatever you couldn’t sell in your yard sale should be considered for donations. Spring cleaning is a perfect opportunity to rid your home of unnecessary items and forgotten clothing.
5. Mind the Yard – Spring cleaning doesn’t stop in the house it only begins there. Once you’ve made a list of interior projects take a walk around outside and look for projects you’ve always wanted to complete but never had the time too. The momentum that you’ve started with the interior projects will help you jumpstart the exterior cleaning projects. Even if you don’t have any major projects, after a few dry days you can begin weed whacking, mowing and planning your garden.

During your spring cleaning you may come across winter recreational equipment that you may want to store over the spring and summer months. Please feel free to contact us regarding our short term and long term storage solutions.

How to Protect your Home While Away

We’ve all been there. We go on vacation or just away for the weekend yet we worry about our home security. As your Nelson Movers we felt that everyone should have the knowledge to protect their homes and forget about the stress. So we brainstormed and scoured the internet for additional suggestions to compile a list of the top 5 recommendations for protecting your home while away.

5 Tips for Protecting your Home

Volunteer to Watch your Neighbor’s Home
If you’re a bit hesitant to ask your neighbors to watch over your home while you are away there is a way around. Volunteer to watch over your neighbor’s home before they ask and this make them more likely to reciprocate the favor. When you watch over their home, ensure you’re doing a first class job by collecting mail, feeding any pets and keeping an eye on any activity.

Never Hide your Keys Outside
Even though you think the hiding spot under the big rock beside the BBQ is an ingenious and incognito spot – it’s not worth the gamble. Leave your keys with a trusted neighbor, friends or a family member that lives close by.

Maintain a Tidy Front Yard
Another sign that nobody’s home is to leave your yard unkempt. Hire your neighbor’s kid to take care of the lawn, shoveling or raking while you’re away. This will give any person passing by the impression that somebody’s home and they really appreciate a well-kept yard.

Find the perfect balance with Blinds and curtains
Many of us believe that if you’re not home you should keep all the blinds and curtains closed. But this is a loud signal that says, “Hey strangers, I’m not at home!” The best way to avoid this is by balancing the mixture of open curtains, blinds and lighting. Keeping the odd light on or asking your neighbors to turn on the odd light in the evenings is a good way to give the impression that somebody is home.

Tell your Post Office
One of the best ways to advertise that no one is home is to let your mail pile up. Avoid this by asking your post office to hold your mail while you are away or by asking your neighbor to collect it while watching your home.

For longer vacations it’s also handy to have a storage locker for valuable possessions and any recreational equipment. We proudly provide Nelson moving and storage services for short or long term needs. For more information on our storage facilities please contact us today.

How to Pack a Closet

Packing your clothes with a wardrobe box will save you space and time in regards to packing fragile items, like paintings or pictures. We hope these tips help make your go as smooth as possible. Please contact us for more information on our moving and storage services.

Nelson Movers Tips for Creative Packing

Even though we sell packing supplies we also understand that a lot of people like to make use of what they already have in their homes. There’s very good reason to this as using items from your home is efficient and it will also help with the loading and unloading process. As Nelson Movers, we see a lot of creative ideas in regards to packing and we thought we should offer some of the best tips for saving space, time and a little bit of money too.

Unexpected Items for Creative Packing

1.      Blankets, Sheets and Towels – Use these to provide as extra cushioning in your next move. With the extra padding there will be less movement within the box and less chances of possessions breaking. Plus it eliminates a box or two that would normally be filled with linens.

2.      Old T-shirts and Socks – Old t-shirts and socks can even be used to cut out the wiggle room in boxes of electronics or knick knacks.

3.      Old Plastic Bags – While most of try to cut down on the amount of plastic bags we accrue from the grocery store, there’s usually a stash somewhere under the kitchen sink. These plastic bags can be used for providing extra padding or for separating cutlery, kitchen utensils, bathroom supplies or loose items from drawers.

4.      Books and Magazines – Because of their sturdy nature, books and magazines can make excellent padding in the bottom of a box. This will ensure for a weighed down box which will prevent any chances of tipping. Rolling a magazine and stuffing it in the corner of a box will also prevent movement in the box.

5.      Luggage, Backpacks and Gym Bags – For the items that don’t necessarily need to be packed in a wardrobe box, using your luggage or other bags is a great substitute. We often pack empty suitcases, luggage and backpacks. Some people even put empty backpacks in boxes. This also works great if you are moving long distance and you would like a specific suitcase for your clothes for the next couple of days.

We hope that these tips help you lighten the load and pack more efficiently. Of course, some items just don’t work in backpacks or surrounded by blankets and old t-shirts. But, as Nelson Movers we offer a full line of packing supplies to ensure your move is organized and packed right. Please contact us for more information on our storage facilities and moving services.

How to Pack a Dresser

Here are some tips on how to properly pack your dresser while maximizing your space and organization. Many people don’t take advantage of the dresser drawers, but the drawers are excellent for packing keepsakes in that would normally be on top or around the dresser in your new home. Please contact us for more information on our moving and storage services.

Nelson Movers tips for Moving in the Winter

The snow has fallen and the kids are counting the sleeps until Christmas – it really looks like winter is here. And as your Nelson movers we wanted to offer some tips for ensuring your winter move is safe and enjoyable.

Tips for Moving in the Winter

Heat and Lights
Call ahead and ensure the utilities are all working and if you have access make sure to turn the heat on a day before you move. This allows the house to heat up and will make the warm house a haven from the bitter cold. Even though this is important no matter which month you’re moving, it’s especially important during the winter months with the shorter days and colder nights.

Sidewalks and Driveways
Sometimes you just got to get out the shovels and salt and start shoveling. Ensure there is enough room for the movers as well as yourself to navigate the walkways while carrying heavy loads. Salting the icy patches will also prevent any nasty spills on the stairs of walkways as well.

Protect your Floors
Lay down some plastic or cardboard to protect your floors from being covered in snow water, dirt and debris. If you have a carpeted floor, tape down the cardboard or plastic. Test the tape on an inconspicuous spot to ensure it doesn’t leave marks first.

Be Prepared
Watch the weather and plan for the unexpected. If you haven’t already, pack an emergency winter kit for the trunk of your car. It should contain blankets, salt, gravel or sand (even kitty litter), small shovel, flashlight, and some snacks. If you’re moving to a region that receives a lot of snow, include chains for your tires in your emergency kit too.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Plan to have warm beverages available as a hot drink can really keep the energy festive. You could even plan to have house warming party with family friends and loved ones. Make sure to socialize and attend seasonal events of all sorts as moving around Christmas can sometimes be too much to manage.

We hope that your move goes on without a hitch and there’s no unexpected snowfall. However, sometimes it’s best to go with the professionals who are experienced with moving during the winter. Please contact us with any questions or for rates on moving and storage solutions in Nelson, BC.

From all of us at Kootenai Moving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

How To Tape Boxes

We wanted to offer a packing demonstration to help you pack more efficiently. We’re going to show you how to properly tape a box. The video offers helpful tips that will help you save your energy and time while packing. For more helpful tips visit our Kootenai Moving YouTube Channel which offers a 16 part series on smarter packing.