Moving Pads Can Make Your Move Easier

Posted on March 3, 2011 by lisa

If you can’t afford to hire a professional moving company, you must resign yourself to doing the job yourself. In order to make it easier, consider purchasing some helpful supplies such as a furniture dolly and a stack of moving pads.

The thing about moving is that it’s a process that you can’t do half way. Oh no – it’s all or nothing. Sure, you could take some shortcuts by not completely wrapping your glassware or simply tossing things into a box, but what would that accomplish? Let me tell you – it will allow you to get all new things!

It’s true, there’s no good way to move in a hurry. Just think about it: when you relocate, you have to touch each and every item that you own. So, you have two solutions. One would be to hire professional movers who will come in and pack up every little thing that you own and transport it safely (you hope!) to your new abode. Of course, for most people, this isn’t an option. It’s simply too expensive. So, that leaves us with the second option: doing the work yourself.

The truth is that completing a move on your own isn’t as daunting as it seems if you have the right supplies. You might be wondering what possibly could be classified as supplies aside from boxes and Sharpies. While those are necessary, you should also consider some other must-have items including moving pads and perhaps a furniture dolly.

While a furniture dolly is relatively self-explanatory, you might be wondering what is so great about moving pads. The truth is, they really are great tools and they are sadly overlooked by most people when they contemplate packing. The beauty of moving pads is that they can be used for a variety of purposes and they can even be used long after you’re settled in your new abode.

Traditionally, these blue, quilted blankets are used to protect furniture and surfaces from becoming marred during the transport process. However, you can also use them to pad larger pieces from becoming dinged or scratched. You will undoubtedly find a stack of moving pads to be a tool you can’t live without!

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Avoid Moving Day Mishap With Moving Blankets

Posted on February 25, 2011 by lisa

Think back to the last time you moved.  Do you remember how hot it was, or how frustrating it was to wait for the extra keys to arrive, or how sad it was to find your box of crystal was broken?  Moving day is a misnomer; moving pretty much takes up parts of weeks of your life, both before and after the “big day.”

The only things I’ve found which can alleviate some of the frustration and stress of moving are careful organization and money.

Organization is a mandatory; your lists must have lists.  There’s a sequence you should follow for packing and loading your items, arranging for transportation and acceptance of keys, turning on and turning off utilities as well as changing addresses.  One of the last things you need to worry about is something preventable – like breakage.  That’s where money becomes really useful.

Even with a modest budget, you can protect your hard-earned or inherited belongings from scratches, dents, punctures and breakage.  You’ll find your best tools are moving blankets and moving boxes.

Moving blankets are thick, durable, and heavy.  Unlike any cover you may have ever had on your bed, moving blankets are manufactured to withstand the abuses of moving while protecting the items they cover.  Constructed from heavy cotton or cotton/polyester blends, they’re filled with recycled cotton threads compressed into thick bats.  The exterior surface prevents most scratches from reaching your furniture or artwork; the interior batting provides a cushion that resists dents and other mars.

Buy your moving blankets online or from a local truck rental facility.  Be sure to cover everything you don’t have the heart or funds to replace; it’s much better to be safe than sorry.

And as for the other frustrating things that happen during a move?  Well, plan ahead and have the best pizza place in town deliver on your first night in your new place.  Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep!

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Moving Straps Make A Difference

Posted on February 11, 2011 by lisa

We’re preparing to move to a larger home in another neighborhood. Having only moved once, from my parents home where I grew up, I was concerned about getting all the details properly organized so that moving day ran smoothly. Like most people, we wanted to save as much money as possible so we opted to move ourselves. But we wanted to be smart about it and were willing to invest in the right tools for the mob like moving boxes and blankets.

I have a few friends who have moved themselves the past couple of years and turned to them for advice. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they suggested that I use a calendar to keep track of each task or necessity including turn on/off dates for utilities, issuing change of address cards through the Postal Service, alerting contacts in our contact list with our new moving strapsinformation, calling all of our creditors, etc. A lot of stuff had to happen and timing really did matter.

When we started talking about some of the more hands-on suggestions, she surprised me when she mentioned moving straps. “Just what are those?” I asked. Evidently moving straps are a simple yet ingenious way to move heavy objects, whether when rearranging furniture or completely relocating. Made from nylon, the kit includes a long strap with partitions near each end. The partitions allow you to slide another strap with looped ends through; you end up with something that looks a lot like the letter “I”.

The long piece of the moving straps slides under the object to be move, for example, a refrigerator. That probably takes some maneuvering to do, but it’s manageable. Then the two people moving the refrigerator slide the smaller straps through a partition and around their shoulders. Voila! Instant moving strap. This simple device allows you to use large muscle groups to lift the heavy object and saves your arms to balance and guide the load.
We borrowed Peggy’s moving straps and quickly saw the difference.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Safety is first concern when using ratchet straps

Posted on February 5, 2011 by lisa

Ratchet straps and safety go hand in hand. Without one, the other doesn’t exist. So if you have to tie down heavy cargo, be sure you do it properly.

Both ratchet straps as well as cam buckles are varieties of e track straps. Each one of these e track straps has a work load limit along with a rated capacity so that you, the consumer, can decide which one will work best for you particular situation.

The workload limit what an e track strap assembly can be subjected to, in regards to weight, on a daily basis. This is the maximum, and it should NEVER be tested by someone other than those in the proper places. If this maximum capacity is ignored disastrous things may happen, and I doubt you want that on your conscience.

The other safety limit, or rated capacity, is the maximum load that the e track assembly can withstand. This number is determined in a professional testing facility using a pull test. And again, this is the maximum capacity. NEVER go beyond what it says, even by a little. When tests are ignored and put to the side, horrible things happen. (Yes, I said that already in regards to the working load limit, but it can happen in either case and it’s worth repeating several times.)

Another point of safety when dealing with ratchet straps are the different kinds of end fittings and other hardware associated with tying down cargo. Again, and I cannot stress this enough, this is all about safety. Use the proper fitting for the assembly you have, don’t just make do and hold it together with a bit of string – use the right fittings.

Just remember, if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. So be sure you know your cargo well, understand what the capacity is for the ratchet straps you want to use and know what kind of assembly you have on your truck or trailer, and go from there. Once you know what you are dealing with, putting safety first will be easy.

Posted in Ratchet Straps | Tagged | Leave a comment

Moving Blankets Will Make Your Job Easier

Posted on February 4, 2011 by lisa

Stop right there.  Don’t try to take the cheap way out when you move.  You’ll end up with contents around your feet and wasted time.

Alright, so you’ve helped a buddy or two out in the past with their move.  They did it on the cheap and on the quick, and their move turned out pretty much OK.  Yours should too, right?

We both know that’s not how Murphy’s Law works.  Something will go wrong, and it will go wrong with that lamp your mom let you borrow.  Just don’t risk it.

Quality moving blankets, like all moving supplies, are basically pretty inexpensive,moving blankets especially if you focus on the “need to have” features like cushioning quality.  You can spend just a few dollars and get the peace of mind that you’re protecting the stuff you already own.  Let’s face it, the cost of a couple of blankets is far less than replacing the coffee table or buying a new mattress after the older one went belly-up in the grungy snow.

Moving blankets can be found in a variety of places.  You’ll want to shop around for the best deal, and I advise you start shopping early to avoid any rush delivery fees or supply problems.  You can buy blankets and boxes online and have them shipped to you.  Many retailers offer seasonal discounts, so if you think there’s a possibility of a move in your future, I advise you to start watching prices now.

You can also pick up your moving blankets at the dealer where you’ll likely rent a moving van or truck.  In my experience, these types of places charge higher prices but again you will want to do some price shopping.

Once you get your moving blankets, begin to set things up in an assembly-line fashion, and recruit other family members to help.  Be sure to stack things in an organized way, otherwise you’ll be stumbling around in a maze as the house gets packed up.  Be sure to assemble the boxes using strong clear tape on all the seams.  You may want to air out the blankets (they tend to have a strong scent) before use.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

More Than One Way To Use Ratchet Straps

Posted on February 4, 2011 by lisa

Sure, these straps are intended for the transportation industry.  But if you think outside the box a little, you can find a lot of other great uses for your ratchet straps!

When you live in the country, miles from a decent-sized town, there are a lot of tradeoffs.  Fresh air, open views, and relatively slower pace of live are all virtues; however they come with some sacrifices as well.  It can be difficult to complete some tasks if you haven’t thoroughly planned ahead and obtained supplies for the most simple projects.  And you think in terms of bundling trips to various stores and other errands all together to make the most of the travel time.

The bottom line is you have to be resourceful. My husband is a master at having multiple uses for almost every product, and his ratchet straps are no exception.

In the winter we use a couple of his longer ratchet straps to bundle portions of firewood. straps He’ll secure several half cords with them, then load them in the bucket of our tractor to haul them from the stack to the storage box on our patio.

Of course, straps are handy, too, when trailering our small lawn tractor to take to the repair shop or over to my aging father’s house to mow his lawn.

We also use ratchet straps to bundle bags of salt and sand together for easy storage.  After standing them upright, we use a strap to keep them in place.  They’re easier to pick up and less stressful on the lower back.

We fashioned a container of sorts out of scraps of chicken wire and a ratchet strap.  After lining the container with the large plastic bags issued by the bottle recycling center, we have a convenient place to toss spent pop bottles.  When it’s time to turn in the bag in exchange for a refund, we just loosen the ratchet strap and tie off the plastic bag.

What are your best tips for being resourceful?

Posted in Ratchet Straps | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Moving Blankets Make The Grade

Posted on January 18, 2011 by lisa

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine which level of product you need within a particular category.  Will the entry-level model work?  Is the intermediate one a safe bet?  Or should you just go for the gold and walk away with confidence it doesn’t get any better than this?  Your problems have been solved because you went straight to the top.

I’m sure there are categories and circumstances where that just may make buckets of sense.  With moving blankets, a little evaluation and reflection upon type of use is in order.

Moving blankets are available in a large variety of colors and styles.  Depending upon your intended use for the blanket, a lightweight, less durable option like a furniture pad may be sufficient for your needs.  If you’re a professional mover, on the other hand, the top of the line version built with stitched hems may be the most economical choice in the long run.

Moving blankets are sold by weight, and as you might imagine, the heavier the blanket the more protection the covered item receives.  It acts like a buffer zone between your couch and the sharp edge of the shelf you may walk around when moving the couch upstairs or out to a moving van.

Middle-weight blankets, as you might imagine, are more durable than simple moving pads but are less hefty than to-of-the-line pads.  Will they cover well?  Sure.  But for the money, why not add more peace of mind?  You just never know what might get spilled, and you’ll be amazed at the amount of dirt that collects on things just by sitting inside the moving van.

Moving blankets can be evaluated based on this general type of grading scale.  Which blanket is right for your application?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Going Sledding? Don’t Forget The Straps!

Posted on January 14, 2011 by lisa

Bummer that you don’t have a sledding hill in your backyard.  But if there’s one close by, fun is just a short car ride if you have a sled and some straps!

Growing up, snow days from school were just about the best thing ever.  That is, until May came and we kids were itchy to get out of school for the summer but had two weeks’ worth of make-up days ahead of us.  Still, the occasional snow day can be a boon for a kid, and even a parent interested in recapturing his or her youth a little.

Of course, snow play involves being bundled up, and to the extreme if you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin or the wind is howling.  Somehow, kids manage to ignore the near-frostbite pain of the cold for the sheer joy of snowball fights, building snowmen, and sledding.

Sledding can be a solitary pursuit or it can be done among friends.  These days, special materials help kids go faster and farther than ever before.

If you’re going sledding, first take a look around your house or neighborhood (that way you’re closer to the hot chocolate!).  If there aren’t any good hills around, maybe it’s time for a drive to a community sledding hill.

Most of your gear – the tubes, the tandem sled, the wacky board, etc. won’t fit inside your vehicle, so you’ll need to put them on top.  Grab your straps and tie them down.  Place the straps about 12” apart to get good coverage.  When you start driving down the road, you want to make sure that the front doesn’t catch wind and pull everything out into the wind!

After you sled, the straps can make a good come-along if all of your gear has a handle.  Just slip the strap through the handles, cinch it tight, and drag your stuff back to the car.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Move Your ATV Safely With Etrack

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lisa

Do you own an open bed trailer?  Do you regularly transport an ATV or lawn tractor as part of your work or play?  If you’d like to pull your trailer with greater confidence and more securely than you do today, read on.

Many people own open bed trailers.  They’re easy to use and can hitch to trucks and many cars alike.  The versatility of a trailer of this sort means you can haul anything from a tall ladder to a friend’s house or boxes over to the storage facility.  Often, these trailers will have rails or sides that can be used as fastening points for securing cargo.  But do you ever worry about what might happen if something failed or slipped?

Etrack may be an inexpensive way to gain peace of mind when hauling things.  Made of high strength, 12 gauge steel, etrack used on open trailers is galvanized to withstand the elements.  Available in 2’, 5’ or 10’ sections, horizontal etrack will allow you to strap down an ATV or a load of cast-offs headed for the donation bin.  Just remember to throw on a vinyl tarp before heading out.

Etrack requires special tie down fittings which fit snugly in the slats on the track.  A thumb lever lets you release the fitting, otherwise it shifts comfortably within the slat which provides a little give when removing a tight strap.  The fittings are available with a d-ring (which may be used with a ratchet strap) or a round ring (best for snap hooks, s-hooks or rope.

Etrack is easy to install with a drill, bit and self-tapping screws.  Be sure to penetrate the trailer floor and secure into the actual frame of the trailer as well.

Posted in E-Track | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Can’t Ever Have Enough Moving Blankets

Posted on January 6, 2011 by lisa

When you’re planning a move, finances can become an issue.  It’s likely that deposits are due on utilities and phone at your new place.  You may even have some connection fees and installation fees for cable or satellite, or even your internet service.  On top of all of that, there’s the potential for disconnect fees where you currently live.  If you’re selling one home to move into another, you may even have out of pocket expenses related to the sale (like a water test, a septic test, etc.) that you can’t recoup for several weeks.  Now’s not the time to buy something unnecessary like moving blankets, is it?

That’s where you may be wrong.  Truly, it’s almost as though you can’t have enough moving blankets.

Moving blankets are made especially to handle the rough moving environment.  Furniture gets highly handled (and not always by the cleanest of hands), and there are typically corners or doors to bump into.  Furniture may get rubbed up against something dirty, or have a box with a sharp edge or unboxed item fall upon it.  Fabric may get torn or precious wood may get compressed with a ding.

Moving blankets can often help you avoid all of that.  While not a guarantee, moving blankets have proven to be a great protection tactic for the practical-minded homeowner.

Consider buying one moving blanket for every piece of furniture you plan to move.  End tables, dressers, desks, filing cabinets, TV stands and bookcases all need them.    Hold the blankets on securely with moving bands, oversized rubber bands that keep them snug against the furniture to avoid slippage.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment