Yearly Archives: 2023

Do you have a nice collection of houseplants? With all the time and effort you put into these plants, you want to avoid seeing them damaged during your residential move. Take a look at a few tips to protect your houseplants during a relocation.

Do a bit of plant maintenance before moving day.

As the weeks before moving day settle in, give your houseplants a little more love and attention than usual. The healthier your plants are during the transition and stress, the more likely they will come through healthily. Better Homes & Gardens offers a good collection of tips to keep in mind that can help, such as:

• Water your plants routinely according to the plant’s specific needs
• Consider fertilizing your houseplants
• Repot any overgrown plants
• Remove any dust from plant leaves
• Do some light pruning and cut away any dormant or dead leaves
• Make sure your plants do not contain any insects
• Get rid of diseased plants that could put other plants at risk during the move

Check with the moving company about restricted items.

All moving companies will have restricted items. In other words, professionals will not transport certain things in a moving truck. In many cases, live plants may fall on the restricted items list. Before packing your plant in a box in preparation for the move, reach out to your chosen movers and make sure they will move live plants.

Pick sturdy cardboard boxes and prepare them for plants.

Cardboard boxes are typically best for moving plants. The boxes are not airtight, which allows some airflow through the container. However, the typical cardboard box may also need some tweaking before it is ready to house plants safely. For example, it can be a good idea to cut a series of holes in the box to encourage more airflow within the box. For exceptionally tall plants, you may also need to amend the box so the top won’t be damaged when you close the lid.

Pack your plants carefully.

Once you have prepared your boxes, place your plants in the box carefully. Use sturdy filler material around the base of the plant’s pot so it does not shift and move during transport. Tightly rolled newspaper or even additional pieces of cardboard can keep the pot stable. For bushier or leafy plants, it can be helpful to wrap the pot in a large portion of paper in a conical shape to keep the foliage bound together a bit. Additionally, bubble wrap works well for protecting cacti and prickly plants.

Nurture plants well after the move.

Once you have transitioned your plants to your new home, they may also need a little extra nourishment. The transition into a new environment can be stressful for some plants. Therefore, do what you can to ensure the plant gets all it needs in terms of fertilizer, sunlight, and water in the first few weeks after the move.

Discuss Your Upcoming Move with the Pros

From the houseplants to the outdoor furniture, you can have many things to contend with during your move. However, transporting your belongings doesn’t have to rest on your shoulders. Reach out to our team for a free quote.

Packing your clothes makes up a significant part of a household move. With some preparation and a little upfront work, you can make moving into your new home and unpacking easier for yourself and your family..

Here are packing tips to help minimize wrinkles, unnecessary laundering, and damaged clothing when you move.

1. Invest in Packing Containers

Tossing clothing in a large garbage bag is a sure way to end up with very wrinkled clothing.  To ensure your clothing arrives clean, wrinkle-free, and undamaged, consider the appropriate use of purpose-made containers. The best moving packages for clothing include:

• Wardrobe boxes
• Suitcases
• Vacuum Bags
• Structurally sound cardboard boxes

Wardrobe boxes are the best bet to minimize wrinkles. For blouses, dresses, dress shirts, and other wrinkle-prone items, a properly packed wardrobe box will deliver your items wrinkle-free. 

By contrast, suitcases (or even backpacks or duffel bags) are great for socks, undergarments, and shoes; basically, any smaller items that won’t get wrinkled and are not easily damaged. 

For bulky items that don’t easily wrinkle, vacuum bags are a good option. Consider this route for heavy-knit sweaters, puffy jackets, or the like.

If your movers are okay with this, you can use a dresser (sealing the drawers) to transport clothing that folds nicely.  Again, check with your moving company to confirm that you can pack things in your dressers.

2. Clean your Clothes as You Pack Them

Clothing that has been in a closet or storage for a prolonged period will pick up odors. Laundering these items will ensure they arrive fresh and won’t introduce any odors to your new home.

3. Pack Boxes Appropriately

While it is tempting to try to stuff as much into a box as you can, you should avoid doing so. Overstuffing a box can lead to damage to the items. From scuffing to tearing, rough treatment can have unintended consequences.

4. Use Hangers When Possible

Delicate clothing items do better when hanging in wardrobe boxes mentioned above. These boxes contain a crossbar that allows you to hang items like dresses, jackets, and other things that can be difficult to launder and easily wrinkled. If you do not have hangers for all your delicate items, it will be worth purchasing them to use the appropriate boxes.

5. Use Protective Plastic If Items Go Into Storage

Storing items between moving out and in can expose your clothing to humidity and moister. This can be ruinous to your clothing. Mold and mildew will take hold. For sensitive items, wrap the boxes in protective plastic to prevent moister from reaching your clothing. Better yet, use a reputable mover with climate-controlled storage facilities as well.

Ready to Discuss Your Residential Moving Plans?

We are here to help you with your move. From moving just the big items to a full-service move, Community Movers is standing by. Contact us today to schedule your residential move.

For most people moving day is a stressful and daunting experience. However, making adequate preparations for the move will help. For instance, hiring professional movers lowers stress levels because they handle the heavy lifting and logistics for you.

Here are ways to support your professional movers in handling your household move.

Disconnect and Prep Appliances

Moving your appliances can be a major hassle if you don’t prepare a few days before your move. First, ensure all your appliances, like your refrigerator, washer, dryer, and dishwasher, are empty and dry. Unplug your refrigerator at least 24 hours before moving to allow it time to defrost. Then ensure each is unplugged and secured. Professional movers won’t perform these tasks beforehand, so make arrangements to prepare major appliances before moving day. If you choose to tackle the project on your own, be sure to consult the instructions. 

Be Ready Before Movers Arrive

If you’re doing it yourself, you should finish packing your things well before the movers’ arrival. Then, when they arrive, they will have an easier time if you have prepared your belongings to be loaded onto the truck. 

If you have a full-service move and your moving company is packing for you the morning of your relocation, be up and prepared for them before they arrive. For instance, eat a nutritious breakfast, strip the beds, and have your essentials box packed, labeled, and ready. The more prepared you are, the faster they can start packing.

Pack Jewelry, Valuables, and Prescriptions With You

You should pack and move certain valuables yourself, such as jewelry, antiques, and other items with sentimental value that you can’t replace. . 

First, take inventory of your valuables, then determine a packing strategy. In addition to your jewelry, pack paper records like birth certificates, passports, and bank statements in a special box that will stay with you throughout the move.

Label Boxes

Properly label the cartons with the contents and the destination room at your new home indicated on each side of the box to make reading and scanning boxes quicker as they work. Boxes need to be able to be loaded and unloaded without movers making any assumptions about where they should go at your new house. 

Provide Space For the Truck

Make space for the truck in front of your old and new homes when planning your move. Parking may be difficult where you’re moving, so you may need a permit before you move. Parking availability should be on your moving day to-do list to address these issues.

Clear Pathways in and Around Your Home

Ensure there is no clutter or other potential tripping hazards in the hallways of your home, and provide enough width for a dolly or hand truck. Also, clear a path from the house to the moving truck for the movers, ensuring sidewalks and driveway are clear.

Protect Kids and Animals

Since children and pets can get underfoot, make arrangements for their care before moving day. Either plan for them to go to a sitter’s house for safe keeping until the end of moving day, or set up a room in your home as their “safe place.” Plan for a designated family member to be in charge of them at your home and alert the movers not to enter that room while they are working.

Professional Moving Help

These tips can help you and your movers make your relocation a success. Contact us for a free quote.