Long-Term Storage Tips & Tricks

Moving items into long-term storage isn’t always ideal espically when you now have to live out of boxes. Long-term storage can be a hassle if it isn’t packed and loaded properly to make having things in storage much easier on yourself. If your household items have to go into long-term storage check out these tips and tricks we have learned in the industry to ensure there is a smooth process and less damage happens while items are in storage.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags and garbage bags are good for packing if you are moving that day. These are not ideal for long-term storage. They can rip easily and will not hold up long-term in a storage area. Plastic bags and garbage bags are a great place for bugs and insects to hide as well. This doesn’t do well for you when items are in storage for a while. Keeping these bags out of storage is best for everyone. 

Boxes

No one wants to spend money on boxes when you are moving, but they are important. Spending money on sturdy boxes can make the difference with items are in storage for a long time. Sturdy boxes will hold up in case something moves around while in storage and for multiple transportation trips. Cheap boxes can fall apart and rip easy even if packed lightly. 

Fragile Items

When there are a lot of fragile items that are being brought to storage wrap and pack these items very well. Again, using sturdy boxes and good packing paper can make the difference from the precious heirloom breaking. Spending a little extra time and care when packing these items can make the difference when moving from home to storage and back home again. Good packing supplies will hold up during a lot of different transitions.

Appliance Storage

When appliances are in storage for a long time mold can arise if these appliances are not properly cleaned and disinfected. Before packing your appliances for storage give all the appliances a deep cleaning. The last thing you want when finally moving items out of storage is to have to deal with a gross appliance or worse even, having to buy new household appliances

Travel & Storage Insurance

Everyone might think that travel and storage insurance isn’t necessary but you never know what might happen if where your items are stored suffers a catastrophic event. This insurance will help protect your items from the start of your move into storage all the way into your new home. 

Select A Good Moving Company

Lastly moving into storage isn’t easy to do on your own. Find a reputable moving company that is able to assist with packing your storage unit or POD to ensure that you are getting the best-packed storage possible. They are professionals for a reason and trying to pack a storage unit correctly will take a lot of time and without experience can lead to issues if items shift or move around.

 

Having an idea of the best way storage is able to be packed is important. Looking at key tips and tricks can help save you money in the long run. Long-term storage takes thought, care, and planning to ensure the safety of all belonging while in storage. Here at Bright Eyed Moving, we offer full service to include your moving and storage needs!

What Not To Pack First When Moving

Certain items that shouldn’t be packed first when moving. Some of these items include valuables, medications, explosives, flowers/plants or flammable items. These items should have special care when moving and most moving companies will not move some of these items. Double-check with your moving company to make sure all items below can be moved and if there are any special circumstances or forms that need to be added to move specific items. 

Valuables

When it comes to packing and maintaining a location of valuable items. It is best to keep this box somewhere where you will know where it is but away from other items or boxes that are being moved by a moving company. The easiest way to make sure these are not lost or stolen is to have them in your possession.

Flammables/Explosives

Items that include gasoline, aerosol cans, and paints should not be moved. This is hazardous and incase of an accident this can be a huge issue. If these items are no longer needed or used, ask or google a good place to dispose of these items.

Food/Perishable Items

Not everyone wants to move all the food items that have been in the house. If there are items that you know will not get eaten donate them. Move For Hunger is a great organization that will take and disperse the food. Moving Ahead Services partners with Move For Hunger for all moves to donate any unwanted food. 

Flowers/Plants

Most flowers and plants are unable to be moved across state lines by moving companies. The best plan is that plants are moved locally by the owners so the plants are safe from point A to point B. Always ask in advance, some companies will move them, but make sure they are not without sunlight and water too long. 

Medications

All medications are important, save these for last for packing. If they are medications that are taken daily, keep them with you. Make sure to update your information with the pharmacy and transfer it to a closer location if necessary. This way if you need something important, the information will be available right away. 

Top 14 Best Cleveland Movers

Expertise website looked at 107 movers in the Cleveland area and we have made the cut for some of the best movers.

Bright Eyed Moving has been selected from Expertise and they scored movers on more than 25 different variables across five different categories. Narrowing down from 107 companies to 14 is difficult and we are proud to say that Bright Eyed Moving made the list!

Scoring Categories

The five different categories that the results were based of off were reputation, credibility, availability, professionalism and experience!

Reputation – To stay in business, it is important to maintain your reputation and provide a memorial experience with service

Credibility – Our reviews and ratings across the board say it all. We pride ourselves on being the best in the business. We do what we can to ensure that the moving process is handled smoothly and professionally.

Availability – We will always do our best to meet your moving needs, and be flexible with your schedule. Changes happen and we make sure to accommodate the best that we can.

Professionalism – Training is maintained and being professional is what is expected from customers. We do our best to provide this experience for customers to trust and ease the stress of the moving process.

Experience – Our company is privately owned and operated with training consistently to improve and maintain a professional moving experience.

Thank You

We say thank you to Expertise for choosing us, and thank you to Cleveland for continuing to use us day in and day out!

5 Tips For Moving Plants

By: Teri Silver

Getting ready for moving day means more than just throwing things in boxes and suitcases, especially when live plants are on the list. Plants grow in various sizes, and large ones can be quite a chore to package, so they’re not damaged in transit.

When moving plants to and throughout Ohio, especially those you want to transplant into the ground, consider your new home’s location, soil, and climate. Preparing plants and shrubs for the move will help them thrive in their new environment.

Before the Move

About three weeks before relocating — and depending on the size of each houseplant (and its root system) — remove your plants from any breakable clay pots. Replant them with clean soil in plastic containers. This allows the plants to settle into their new, albeit temporary, environment. Pack the empty clay pots in bubble wrap or boxes and move them as you would other fragile items.

Inspect for bugs by placing a dog or cat’s flea collar at the container’s base to draw out any pests. Water the plant two or three days before the move so that soil is moist but not overly saturated. Most plants can go seven to 10 days without water, as long as the roots stay damp.

Pack ’Em Up, Give Them a Ride (Preferably in Your Vehicle)

A moving van is not an ideal environment for live plants. There’s no sunlight, airflow, or water. If possible, it’s better for you to transport your houseplants and shrubs in your own vehicle. 

In Your Vehicle

Pack up potted plants with:

• Firm moving boxes that are supported with stuffing inside.
• Plastic (instead of clay) containers.
• Bubble wrap.
• Newspaper or packing paper/Styrofoam peanuts.
• Plastic bags and ties.

If They Must Go in a Moving Van

• Place a plastic bag over the container and tie it so the soil will stay in place.
• Tape the box at loose ends, to be sure it stays secure.
• Fill in empty spaces with newspaper or other packing materials.
• Poke holes in box and plastic covering for plants to “breathe.”
• Label each box “fragile” and “live plant.”

Too Big? Take a Cutting to Go

When you find a beloved shrub or bush is impossible to move, you can take a cutting that will sprout new roots.  Take a sharp knife or pruning shears and cut several healthy stems about 3 to 6 inches long. Moisten the ends by wrapping them in a wet paper towel, then secure each side with rubber bands or twist ties. If you have any, use plastic stem holders – you may be able to buy them from your local florist. Pack the cuttings by loosely placing them in a plastic container.

You’ll need to get them into a proper rooting material very soon after arrival. Cuttings won’t survive if they lose water.

Rules and Guidelines

When bringing plants to Ohio from overseas, you must abide by USDA rules, which determine if the vegetation is free of insects and disease.  Ohio also has a list of 38 banned invasive plants, and plans to update the list. Rules on invasive plants, which became effective in 2018, are firm: 

“No person shall sell, offer for sale, propagate, distribute, import or intentionally cause the dissemination of any invasive plant in the state of Ohio.”

Invasive plants are detrimental to the environment of the Buckeye State since they crowd out the native plants. 

Growing Conditions in Ohio

Whether it’s turfgrass or flower and shrubbery beds, the growing environment and climate in Ohio determines what will thrive outside of your new home. Ohio soils vary with their location. When embedding outdoor plants, ideal soil temperatures should be 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You can call the extension office at The Ohio State University for help finding a soil test kit or a lab that will test the soil for you.  

Moving from place to place can be stressful but if you have a plan in place, your houseplants will be okay.  So, take a deep breath and stop worrying … you’ll get there!

 

Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast who spends her weekends mowing her 5-acre lawn outside of Columbus. She’s an avid do-it-yourselfer who refurbishes anything she can get her hands on.

Trials and Tribulations: Avoid these 5 Pitfalls When Moving Homes

When it comes to moving, the huge undertaking of moving all your possessions from point A  to point B can be wildly underestimated! 

In reality, it can actually be one of life’s most stressful events! With that in mind, doing everything you can to make the process run smoothly should be your top priority. That said, ensuring your move goes off without a hitch can be easier said than done. For the novice mover, it’s so easy to make simple mistakes that you’ll end up paying for! 

To help you minimize the stress of moving house, here are some of the most common moving mistakes and how you can avoid them…

1.     Taking Too Much Stuff

When you live in a house for any duration of time, accumulating ‘stuff’ is par for the course. Generally, you’ll have things that you no longer need or use, packed away in cupboards, laying under beds or even gathering dust on shelves. Since you aren’t using it now, you can bet you won’t use it when you get to your new home.

Before the nostalgia kicks in and you decide to transfer all of your junk, get rid of it! Put up some moving sale banners, take your unwanted items onto the lawn and have yourself a moving sale. Here’s the key though: if you don’t sell it all, don’t take it back inside! Take it to your local shelter or throw it away.

And don’t forget your pantry! For the most part, you don’t want to take boxes full of food to your new place. Plan out your meals before you move in advance and try to use everything you can. Any leftover non-perishables can go to your local food bank. Move for Hunger is a great organization that will take your unwanted food items for you and distribute as needed. 

2.     Doing It All Yourself

No matter the size of your home, doing it all yourself is not a wise move. First and foremost, you will always assume the job is smaller than it is, only to find yourself 8 hours in, surrounded by your possessions and half-full boxes. So, enlist a family member, friend or a professional to help you pack up and ship out.

What’s more, you simply cannot move all of your furniture yourself, and it’s dangerous to try. Even if you don’t get help with the packing component, you should absolutely reach out for help for this part.

3.     Not Researching Your Removal Company

You must research the company you choose to help you move. Your valuables are exactly that, valuable, and by going with a company with a bad reputation, you’re effectively choosing for them to treat your possessions badly. Sure, they might be cheap and available, but that most certainly doesn’t mean they’re good!

Ask around for recommendations and do some online research before you choose who you hand over your keys to.

4.     Failing to Prepare For Moving Day

Of all the preparation, packing and post-move madness, moving day is undoubtedly the most stressful day of your entire move. It’s the day when everything gets picked up and taken to your new place, and if you’re not ready, you’ll be sorry.

Firstly, you must understand that it will likely be a long day. Make sure you have prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you have plenty of snacks on hand. 

Next, you need to consider whether your new home is ready for the influx of people, possessions and furniture. If you have wooden floors, are they protected? Are rooms clean and prepared for furniture? The list goes on but the top tip here is to consider what is going into each room and how it will be getting there so you can foresee any issues.

5.     Not Measuring Furniture In Advance

Will your furniture fit in your new house? Don’t know? Then it’s time to find out. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your place only for your sofa to be too big for your lounge, or your table too big for your dining room. Save yourself some hassle, measure up now and get rid of anything that won’t fit before you move.

The wasted time, money and effort of moving furniture that simply won’t fit is something many Americans experience, but you don’t need to be one of them. Don’t forget your outside appliances and furniture either!

Additionally

Something that people always overlook is thinking about their first night in their new home. You must prepare an overnight bag of essentials which can get you through the night without having to route through boxes until the early hours!Overall, moving house can be a stressful time, but with a little pre-planning and prior research, you can go a long way to mitigate the panic induced by the occasion!

—-

This guest contribution is courtesy of SignMission, an American owned, operated and manufactured company in Florida. SignMission offers many types of custom signs such as vinyl banners, moving sale banners, aluminum signs etc.

 

 

 

Author Bio: Jessica is the head of content for hireamover.com.au– her fathers moving company. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling around the world to different surf spots and tasting the local cuisine.

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