Creating a Path for Efficient and Eco-Friendly Moving
Moving day is stressful enough without having to worry about the logistics of moving all your belongings from one place to another. As you’re prepping to move out, one thing you want to think about is how to make your load as easy to transport as possible. Luckily, there are lots of moving supplies that will make this task much easier on you, including hand trucks and dollies, crates and containers, and more.
Here are some tips to help you get started with moving crates and dollies or hand trucks, so your move goes smoothly!
What are moving crates?
Removing large, heavy items from one place to another isn’t easy. Let alone, taking something as big as a bed frame or sofa frame up or down a flight of stairs. That’s why moving crates were invented—they allow you to transport these items with relative ease. While you can use anything that can hold your stuff in place, it’s easier if you use moving crates because they are designed specifically for moving.
Make sure the crate is deep enough to go around the item being moved and wide enough so it doesn't tip over when being carried. If you're using a dolly instead of a crate, make sure the dolly is sturdy and able to carry the weight of what's inside.
Remember that even though this method seems like an easy way out, the weight needs to be balanced so the dolly doesn't tip over! You should put heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top, but don't put any liquid-filled containers on top. You also need to be careful not to hit objects (such as walls) with your arms while carrying the object.
There are some important things to consider when it comes to dollies. First, what is a dolly? A dolly is any kind of flat, wheeled device that you can use to move items from one place to another. Typically, they have a handle on them for extra leverage and stability. Here are a few popular examples hand trucks, pallet jacks, stackers and ramps.
If you're going to be moving heavy objects like furniture or appliances using a hand truck, dolly or ramp, it's important to know how many feet the space will be in length before loading up the items so that the load doesn't exceed the height or weight capacity of your equipment.
The majority of crates are about four feet long which means two should fit in most doorways without being disassembled. You don't want to start dismantling crating unless you absolutely need to because it'll take more time and make it harder to transport.
Make sure you have enough boxes and other packing materials at home as well as containers that are appropriate for the items that need to be moved. Also keep in mind if there are stairs during the move; often times only one box can go up each step while still keeping balance with a person walking behind carrying an item on their shoulder.
Key things to remember when using dollies or hand trucks
1. Hand trucks have notches on them to indicate how many pounds of weight they can hold before they start to bend. You should never overload a hand truck (by putting something too heavy or many things that add up to being too heavy).
2. Before you put your boxes on a dolly, make sure you’ve tied them together with twine or rope so they don’t fall off easily when you move.
3. Use more than one person for heavier loads if possible.
4. Take it slow and easy, this is about reducing the pain in your back rather than making it worse!
5. Always work from the top down: position the heaviest items on the bottom and the lighter items on top.
6. When using a moving box to carry clothes and other soft goods, be sure to wrap each piece individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap first. When all of your clothes are neatly wrapped in tissue paper or bubble wrap, store them into the moving box carefully, stacking these boxes as high as you can go without having them overflow.
7. Start loading the vehicle by placing the most fragile items in first.
8. Simply place similar items in close proximity, such as like books on bookshelves, or plates on plates.
9. Once everything has been loaded into the vehicle properly (and safely), cover any open spaces with a blanket or sheet to prevent anything from getting damaged during transit.
10. To help protect your floors and walls, ask someone to help you take apart furniture legs before loading it onto the truck.
11. Be mindful of overloading the furniture pieces because just like dollies, furniture will break under excessive weight.
12. Take inventory of what you need for unpacking once you arrive at your new home and organize accordingly so unpacking will be easier after a long day's drive home from the airport or train station.
