Category Archives: Packing Tips

Moving Guide During COVID-19

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Moving Guide During COVID-19Relocating in the Time of Coronavirus

The novel Coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, have changed our entire world in a matter of a few weeks. What was once routine is now more difficult and requires more forethought. Still, some things in life will go on. If you’ve sold your home or are relocating for a job, you might still have to go through with it.

This blog is meant to be a guide to keeping your family and your possessions safe no matter whether you’re moving locally or cross-country.

Moving yourself might not be the best idea right now. Driving a big truck full of your stuff can be a lot more hassle than driving your personal vehicle. While people are working hard to keep themselves and everyone safe, the less time you spend out in the world the better it will be.

Hiring professional movers, for local or long distance moves, will increase your ability to maintain social distancing while still making your move easy and smooth.

Packing up

Most of the information available shows that the Coronavirus doesn’t survive well on porous surfaces, like cardboard. This study says that it doesn’t survive more than three days on any surface.

So, pack your boxes and let them sit for a few days before the movers arrive.

There are many general moving guides out there, but the basics are to keep out what you’ll need for the first day or two in your new home. Personal items, things like coffeemakers, and more all make sense.

One thing that can help everyone is to wrap your furniture in plastic. This will give you a removable coating around your furniture that you can discard immediately.

Try not to be there when the movers arrive to take your things away. While they should be wearing masks and gloves, good social distancing would dictate leaving before they arrive. Preferably, a day or so earlier. Otherwise, try to sit outside to minimize contact.

Mark everything well. It’ll be easier to distribute when you arrive at your new home.

You might want to wait a couple of days after delivery to give the virus time to die off. If everyone is taking the proper precautions, you shouldn’t need this, but if someone in your house is in a vulnerable group, it might be worth doing.

Moving the Family

The key to moving the family is to keep everyone together and out of public spaces as much as possible.

  • Plan your route to avoid densely populated areas. The higher concentration of population, the more likely you are to enter a so-called “hot zone” where the virus is very common. Stay as far out in rural areas as you can, even if this puts you out of your way a bit. Gas prices are low, so it won’t be a huge expense.
  • Pack snacks and meals. Some things, like sandwiches, fruit, and even fried chicken, travel very well. Pack all the food and snacks you’ll need for the first day or so. If you choose a drive-thru for fast food, choose a national chain. They’ve all put in place measures to keep you safe. Every time someone uses a restroom, make sure they wash their hands well.
  • Wear masks in public. Wearing masks protects others from you in case you have the virus. It might feel strange at first, but most reasonable people will appreciate it. See the latest instructions from the Centers for Disease (CDC), but as of this writing, even bandanas are acceptable protection. Plus, the kids will think it’s fun.
  • Staying overnight. If you decide to stay in a hotel, even if your move was local, choose a national chain. Look at how they’re cleaning their rooms. Many hotels are taking extra precautions to clean rooms more thoroughly than ever. If possible, depending on where you’re traveling, camping in your own tent might be an even better option. Take extra precautions in public spaces, but there are possibilities for being safer outdoors. You can sleep in your own sleeping bags on the bed for added precaution.

Arriving at your new home

Almost everyone will clean their new home before they settle in. With the possibility of the Coronavirus, it’s even more important to clean well now.

  • Time – If the house, condo, or apartment you’re moving into hasn’t been occupied in the last week or so, there’s a good chance that the surfaces are safe. Again, check current CDC guidelines, but the information as of this writing is that the virus can only survive on surfaces for about three days.
  • Use soap and water – According to this article from the New York Times, soap and water are the best tools for killing the Coronavirus and most other germs. There’s a long chemistry lesson, but it appears to work. So, wash all the hard surfaces with a little bit of soap in water. For carpets, you can use a rug shampooer or hire someone to come in, if they follow social distancing procedures. Curtains can be washed in a washing machine with laundry soap.

Moving your household

The best way to move right now is to let the professionals do it. In fact, you can get a quote from a pro here.

A professional moving company can pick everything up, store it if needed, and deliver on exactly the day you request. This means you can have it delivered before you arrive or on a day and time that you’re not home.

The biggest advantage to having professionals handle the moving is that you don’t have to have extra contact with a truck rental agent, picking up or dropping off. You can get to where you want to be without having to take the extra contact that a rental usually takes.

Often, it’s less expensive than you might think once you factor in rental, gas costs, food, additional lodging, and more incidentals.

Safe moving in the time of the Coronavirus

With proper precautions and a little cleaning, you can get everything, and everyone, moved safely. This situation won’t last forever, but, according to experts, we can expect to have to change how we live for at least the next few years.

Please contact us if you have concerns about specific Pony Express Moving Services safety precautions, procedures, or hours of operation. Please note that the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly. Accordingly, Pony Express Moving Services must adjust its processes to best serve our communities and ensure the safety of our employees and customers.

Packing Books For a Move

Packing Books For a MoveThere are a few predicaments all book lovers can relate to.

One, the overwhelming desire to buy or borrow new books when you already have a huge to-read list at home.

Two, hours at a time vanishing when you don’t realize how long you’ve been reading.

Three, cursing your book-buying habit when it comes time to move.

Moving books is tough! They’re heavy, often fragile, vulnerable to water damage and tough to keep organized. You might own hundreds or even thousands of books. You might be able to appreciate how poetic your favorite habit becoming such an albatross during your new chapter in life would be… if you weren’t in such a bad mood. Luckily, moving books doesn’t have to be frustrating! In fact, packing books and moving your collection efficiently and safely is easier than you think! All you have to do is follow a few of these helpful book-moving guidelines:

Go through your collection.

Moving is the ideal time to take a long, critical look at all the books you have. Culling your book collection means you’ll have fewer things to pack and move. Start this process a month or two before your move is scheduled. Go spine by spine, and look at each book you have. Ask yourself if you’ve read it, if you plan on reading it or if it has sentimental value to you. Be honest. You didn’t read Absalom, Absalom when it was assigned in college, and you probably won’t read it now.

If you can’t answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions about any particular book, it’s time for that book to go. Don’t leave it sitting around so you can go back on your choice, either. Instead, take the books you’re passing on to a used bookstore or one of many other places that take book donations. Seeing those books off may hurt a bit now, but your movers (and your back!) will thank you later. Plus, you’ll have more room to buy new books!

Go for small boxes.

One of the easiest mistakes to make when packing books is packing boxes too full. Books are heavy, and their bulk adds up quickly. Go for boxes that are smaller than 16″ by 12″ by 12″, even if those are the common measurements for small ones from hardware stores.

Re-purpose smaller banana boxes, apple boxes, or old shipping boxes. If you have no choice but to use larger boxes, don’t fill them all the way full. You can fill them halfway with books and use the other half for clothing, linen, or other lighter items. You want to avoid the potential disaster for both you and your books that heavy boxes can cause. Spread out the weight of the books, even if it means packing more boxes.

Take the time to prep each box.

Heavy, overloaded boxes filled with books break more easily than others. If you need to pack boxes full of books, you’ll have to prepare them first. Cover all the seams on the box with a double layer of packing tape. When you tape the center flap on the bottom, make sure the tape runs at least halfway up the box on the sides.

Extra tape crisscrossed across the bottom of the box is never a bad idea. If you want to be especially cautious, cut additional pieces of cardboard to place inside the bottom of the box. This will add additional protection and weight disbursement.

Pay special attention to the way you pack both paperbacks and hardcovers.

There are certain techniques you can take when packing both paperbacks and hardcovers so they remain safe.

Tips for Hardcover Books

  • Hardcover books should be placed upright, with their spines against the side of the box.
  • You want to pack hardcovers tightly, but not so tightly that you won’t be able to get them out of the box.
  • If you’re packing moderately valuable editions, wrap those in packing paper to protect their covers.
  • If they’re especially valuable editions, use cardboard slotted between volumes to keep them from shifting during transport.

Tips for Paperback Books

  • Paperbacks can be packed in multiple ways. You can stack them flat or spine first so that their paper edges face upwards. Don’t pack them so the edges of the pages face down or they’ll bend and warp. If you leave the boxes this way long term, they’ll be permanently damaged.
  • Fill empty spaces with wadded-up paper to help limit any shifting in the box. You want to keep the books from falling onto their sides or bending.

Now that you  know how to pack your books like an expert, you still have to worry about moving them.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a Free Quote Online.

Load a Moving Truck Like the Pros

Load a Moving Truck Like the Pros - Pony Express Moving Services

Want to know how to load a moving truck the professional way?

Yes, there are an infinite number of ways to pack a moving truck. Much of it is common sense. But the purpose of this blog post is to provide some serious step-by-step guidelines to load a moving truck properly. The information you need to know is segmented into three parts: general guidelines for packing furniture and the equipment you’ll need; packing specific furniture pieces; and step-by-step packing the truck.

General Guidelines

  • Safety first! Any moving truck you rent will have a ramp and you need to make sure it’s fully engaged, clean of debris and dry, and covered with non-stick matting if necessary
  • During the loading process, ensure the weight of all items is distributed evenly from front to back and side to side
  • The truck should be loaded in layers, each self-contained and independently secured. The goal of any layer is to avoid hitting or rubbing into an adjacent layer
  • All furniture should have blanket pads draped over exposed surfaces. The majority of damage done to items is by them rubbing against each other during transport. For added protection, use Plastic wrap in addition to blankets for fragile or hard to move items
  • If your truck is too big for your items, ensure each piece of furniture is strapped independently to the back or side wall of the truck with blanket pads protecting exposed surface areas.

Packing specific furniture pieces

The following items have been singled out as the common household pieces that require special attention.

  • Aquariums should be emptied with pads placed inside and out and then stretch wrapped. Place them on top of a box
  • Bed frames should be strapped toward the back of the truck
  • Chairs should have legs individually wrapped or bubble taped before wrapping the entire chair
  • Couches should be loaded on top of a blanket pad, on the floor of a truck, with the feet faced toward the side wall and the back faces out to protect incoming items
  • Drawers should be loaded faced toward the side wall to ensure they do not fall out during transport. All loose drawers should be secured with rubber bands
  • Grandfather clocks. Remove weights from inside the clock. Wrap and label pendulums. Wrap the clock in plastic or blanket pads
  • Hide-A-Beds should be secured using a strap so the metal insert doesn’t prop open during transport
  • Metal should not be loaded close to furniture as it has the potential to tear through plastic wrap during transport
  • Mirrors and glass should be wrapped and put between the mattress and box spring and strapped in
  • Wooden furniture should be wrapped well with plastic wrap, paying close attention to the edges and sides. This is especially important for cherry oak wood!
  • Rugs should be rolled up and taped
  • TV’s should be wrapped and faced against a box and strapped. Flat screen TVs should never sit sideways or on their backs.

How to load a moving truck

  • Your boxes will be your first layer, stacked high against the back wall of the truck to maximize space. Load the heaviest boxes on the bottom. Stack vertically with the lightest, most fragile on top
  • Lay a blanket pad on the floor and load mattresses and box springs next. Stand them vertically. Loose glass pieces should be placed in between (as per above). Strap to the side wall. This, with your boxes is the first layer
  • Next, lay another blanket pad on the floor and load couches vertically with feet toward the side wall, pillows removed. Secure each couch by straps to the side wall. Pillows can fill the empty space. Furniture pieces, such as dressers can be placed in between with blanket pads draped over.
  • The next layer is more furniture, covered in pads and/or plastic and secured to the side wall when complete
  • Appliances and wardrobe boxes are loaded last and will be the first items off the truck.

Ensure you close the back of the truck properly, replace the ramp securely and push safety pins into place. Happy Moving!

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Estimate Packing Time for Your Move

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Estimate Packing Time for Your Move
Why does it seem that the last 10% of packing can seem like 90% of the job? When estimating the time it will take to pack your apartment, condo or home, you always want to err on the side of more time than you think you’ll need. Even if it seems like an outrageous amount, better to plan to have the time available than be caught short on time when you really need it. So how can you estimate how long it will take to pack your belongings? We are glad you asked – because THAT is what this post is about.
From those intent on packing themselves to those who see the wisdom in hiring a professional to pack their belongings, the bottom line is getting your items packed up in a way that allows for safe transport to the new location. As human beings, we are generally optimistic about our ability to accomplish certain tasks. What we often forget is that there are all sorts of little things that add up over the course of the packing process. And if we are not careful to leave a buffer, we can get stuck needing more time than we budgeted.<
Things like running out of packing supplies, the added time to label things properly and pack things well. The time it takes to find used boxes or tape new ones together. The time it takes to move and stack packed items so the boxes are out of the way and still easy to access come moving day.

Three Ways to Estimate Packing Time

Packing Time Method 1

Roughly estimate the “worst case” time scenario you can think of. Then add another 50% to that. Yep, we are serious! It

Packing Time Method 2

Figure out how long it would take to pack ONE average box – start to finish – Include taping the box together, wrapping the contents, packing the box full, taping it shut and labeling the contents on the outside (top AND end). Then, if you are good at mentally calculating volume, walk around your entire home and estimate how many PACKED boxes per room. Do the same for closets, attic/basement, garage, storage, etc. ADD the boxes together and add 20% to the total (just in case). Then, multiply the number of GRAND TOTAL number boxes by the time per box. Take the total time and add 20% more time to it. NOW you have an approximate number of boxes AND the rough time you will need to pack them!

Packing Time Method 3

Unless you have moved several times or are one smart cookie when it comes to estimates like this, it may even take you more time than you calculate.If you can, it makes sense to pay a professional to pack your house for you. Professional packers are both fast and efficient. They pack your belongings with care and understand how to pack for efficient loading of the truck on moving day and for the safety of your belongings while in transit.As soon as you try a whole house packing service, you’ll see what we mean!

For a quote on packing as part of a move with Pony Express Moving Services , request a Free Moving Quote.

How to move a Washer and Dryer with Pony Express Moving

Moving a Washer and Dryer with Pony Express Moving Services

Washers and dryers are susceptible to moving damage

Washers and dryers are often damaged in a move when their drums have not been properly secured during pre-moving preparation and servicing. This can result in costly repairs and parts replacement. In comparison, the cost of professional servicing is nominal.

Pony Express recommends that you enlist the services of a qualified technician to service, disconnect and prepare your major appliances for a move, for your own safety and for that of your appliances.

Preparing Your Washer and Dryer for a Move

  • Disconnect
  • Clean & air dry
  • Secure the drum
How to move a Washer and Dryer with Pony Express Moving

Moving Washing Machine


What to Know About Disconnecting Your Washer and Dryer

Disconnecting the high-voltage electrical and gas connections for major appliances is dangerous and should be undertaken by a qualified professional. It is easy to make a mistake that results in a dangerous gas leak.

Before moving day, your washer and dryer must be completely disconnected. All utility service supplies (gas, electric, water) must be shut off and disconnected from the washer and dryer before they are moved. This includes switching off any electric breakers and shutting off any gas supply valves behind gas dryers. When you disconnect the water supply behind the washer and dryer, the drain hose should be removed from its standpipe.

Be careful when pulling your dryer out from the wall. There may be hidden electrical, gas supply lines or vents still connected. Your unit may have a flexible or solid vent pipe still secured by a clamp or screws. Remove these first before proceeding to move your dryer out from the wall. 


Safe to Do On Your Own: Cleaning Your Appliance

Before wrapping your washer and dryer in furniture pads, wipe it with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner to remove dust and grime.

It is very important that you leave the washer door open for 24 hours after disconnecting the water supply. This will ensure that your washer is completely dry and free of moisture, to prevent mold.


Avoid Costly Damage in Transit: Secure the Drum

Your washer and dryer may have come with bolts or moving pins to secure the drum and keep it stationary during transit. If you do not have these, ask your qualified service technician about the best way to secure your drum. Many appliance manufacturers also offer washer moving kits.


Important Notice

Your Pony Express movers are not qualified to help with disconnecting, servicing, repairing or reinstalling appliances or utilities at your point of origin or destination. Please have your appliances serviced, disconnected and ready for your movers to transport on moving day. Be aware that your movers can also not remove or install antennas, satellites or air conditioners, nor can they perform any electrical, plumbing or carpentry services.

Moving Out of Your College House, Dorm, or Apartment

Moving Out of Your College House, Dorm, or Apartment

Moving Out of Your College House, Dorm, or Apartment

Moving Out of Your College House, Dorm, or Apartment

As most college students are preparing for finals and end of the year projects, the last thing on your mind is probably moving out of your dorm, apartment, or college house. Whether you are graduating this spring, moving abroad, or are taking a summer job somewhere other than your college town, you may have to think about moving on top of finals.

Moving isn’t fun—it doesn’t matter if you are moving a whole apartment or a single room dorm. However, when you have a professional moving company like Pony Express Moving Services, moving is easy. Below are several reasons why you should hire a moving company to help you move out of your college house, apartment, or dorm.

Reasons to Hire a Moving Company for College Moves

  • Final exams. Why is it that you must think about packing and moving during final exams? Unfortunately, when the end of the year comes, so do finals and moving. When you hire a moving company, you can focus more on your studies and less on how you’re going to move.
  • Stairs. Do you live on the 5th floor of your college dorm? Remember how hard it was moving all of your items to your dorm room? Don’t go through that again. Let a mover help you!
  • Goodbyes. Whether you are graduating or simply leaving for the summer, saying goodbye to your closest friends is never easy. Focus more on spending time with friends and saying goodbye rather than packing and moving.

College should be one of the best times of your life—don’t let it go to waste by packing and moving furniture all day! Let Us do it for you!

About Pony Express Moving Services

Pony Express Moving Services is a moving company located in Boston, MA. Whether you are graduating or just leaving for the summer, our movers can help you move out of your college home and into your new home.

We are the perfect moving and storage company for students attending:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology     Cambridge
  • Harvard University     Cambridge
  • Boston University     Boston
  • Tufts University     Medford
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst     Amherst
  • Boston College     Chestnut Hill
  • Northeastern University     Boston
  • Brandeis University     Waltham
  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute     Worcester
  • Mount Holyoke College     South Hadley
  • University of Massachusetts Boston     Boston
  • Smith College     Northampton
  • Clark University     Worcester
  • Williams College     Williamstown
  • Amherst College     Amherst
  • Wellesley College     Wellesley
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell     Lowell
  • Berklee College of Music     Boston
  • Babson College     Babson Park
  • University of Massachusetts Medical School     Worcester
  • University of Massachusetts Dartmouth     North Dartmouth
  • Bentley University     Waltham
  • And more …

Call us today to get a free quote!

Moving Day Made Easy

Moving Day Made Easy 🙂

When moving houses, the average household relocates 7,400 pounds — nearly four tons — of stuff, and an eight-room home uses 100 boxes in the process. The average interstate move costs about $4,300, while staying in-state costs about $2,300. All these stats add up to one massive undertaking. Read our guide for advice on cutting it down to size.

Moving Day Made EasyHow to Hire Movers

Keep in mind these tips to save a little cash on moving day:

  • Mind your timing. Moving company rates are higher at the beginning and end of the month, when most leases are up, and on weekends. If you can take a day or two off midweek or midmonth, your wallet will benefit.
  • Do some of the work yourself. Pack your own boxes, or even just get things inside more mover-friendly (unplug appliances, roll up rugs, disassemble anything you can) shaves off time and therefore saves you on the hourly rate.
  • If you hire anyone, you want them to be reliable and careful — and not overcharge you. Get detailed written estimates from at least three movers, and have them do an in-home inspection instead of estimating by phone or email.
  • Do your homework. Moving companies are among the most complained-about businesses in the U.S. Get references, and look for complaints and reviews at the Better Business Bureau, Yelp.

Lighten Your Load

A long-distance move is usually priced by volume (how much space in a truck the stuff takes up) and weight, and a local move by volume (size of truck needed) and time (local movers usually charge an hourly rate). What this means: Don’t move stuff you don’t need on moving day.

  • Weed out items to sell, donate, or throw out. Be ruthless — moving is a chore, but it’s also a chance to make a clean start. As you go through your things to fill boxes, make piles or fill trashbags with what you really don’t need. It may even be worth renting a dumpster (especially if the move is to a smaller space). Bonus: Unloading unneeded furniture on Craig’s List, having a yard sale, or making a tax deduction on donated goods can help you recoup some expenses.
  • Use it or lose it. Items that are not worth the cost of packing and moving: Pantry foods (eat what you can, and donate what’s unopened to a soup kitchen), cleaning supplies (also can be donated, or given to a neighbor), open condiment bottles (dump ’em), stacks of old magazines (clip the articles you love and recycle the rest), and partly used paints, propane tanks, or solvents (they could be dangerous, especially if they spill; donate or recycle properly).

Save on Moving Supplies

  • Collect free boxes from the local liquor store or grocery store — liquor boxes are particularly good, because they are often a good-quality cardboard, and are uniformly sized and not too big, so you’re unlikely to load them so heavily that they’re a strain to carry. Printer-paper boxes from an office or school are good, too.
  • Check online, on Craigslist for “curb alerts” of people giving away their packing boxes. You may also have some luck getting giveaway ones on freecycle.com.
  • Consider reusables. A few companies rent or sell reused cardboard and reusable plastic boxes. Check out usedcardboardboxes.com or zippgo.com or rentagreenbox.com.
  • Visit a home-improvement store. Home Depot and Lowe’s both offer reasonably priced moving supplies, as well as online checklists and other useful tools to help get you organized.

Box-Labeling Lesson

  • Mark boxes on the top and on the side (so if one is covered, you can hopefully spot the other) with a short summary of contents (kids’ books) and where they should go (playroom).
  • Stack filled boxes that go to the same room together, so they go out to the truck at the same time, and are (hopefully) loaded at the same time.
  • Use the app for that. Moving Van is an iPhone app ($1.99) that lets you snap photos of the contents of boxes, quickly catalog them, and assign each box a name or number. Then, when you’re unpacking everything (which isn’t always a super-fast process), and you need to find a specific item that isn’t unpacked yet, you can simply search for it on your app and immediately ID the box you need to look in.

Packing the Moving Truck

If loading it up yourself or supervising movers, keep in mind these rules of thumb.

  • When reserving a rental, follow the trucking companies’ size suggestions — but if in doubt, go bigger (you don’t want to have to make two trips).
  • Make of list of what you intend to move — and think about what you’ll put in first (see below). It’s no fun to have to take things out once you’ve put them in, if you decide too late that they’re in the wrong spot.
  • Know your packing order. First, load the biggest, heaviest stuff such as furniture and appliances (and don’t assume things need to load as they normally sit — sofas, for instance, take up much less space if flipped up on one end). Then, add the heavier boxes. Next go lighter items (furniture like chairs). On the very top, add the glassware and other breakables. Put your best puzzle-solver inside the truck to decide where stuff goes.
  • Boxes and items should be packed tightly together so they won’t move, and furniture should be wrapped in pads or blankets. Rope things to the walls of the truck to discourage sliding, and if the truck won’t be filled to the brim, keep the top surface level so nothing will topple down. A good last add is a mattress, which you can rope tightly into the end as an extra pad if items slosh back.

Do You Need Extra Insurance to Cover the Move?

Your regular homeowners’ and/or car insurance may cover a move but ask — if not (and even if so), it may be worth the peace of mind to purchase extra, from the truck rental agency or on your existing insurance plans.

How to Safely Pack China and Other Fragile Dishware

Safely Pack China and Other Fragile Dishware

Safely Pack China

If you have any china or fragile dishware, you should take extra care to safely pack these items before your move. China can crack easily if it isn’t packed properly. Take the extra time to make sure these items are secure before your move.

Packing Plates + Bowls:

  1. Layer the bottom of a box with packing peanuts or crumbled up newspaper.
  2. Pack the china plates on their side! It is safer not to stack the plates. Put newspaper between each plate.
  3. Fill the box with plates and bowls, then fill in additional space with packing peanuts, newspaper or bubble wrap. It does not matter which material you use, so long as there is no room for the china to move around in the box.
  4. Seal the top and sides of the box. Label which way the box should be facing, and which side should be the bottom. Also, label the box “china”, or “fragile”, right away so you don’t lose track of it!

Packing China Cups:

  1. Again, layer the bottom of the box with packing peanuts or crumbled up newspaper.
  2. Wrap each cup individually using bubble wrap.
  3. Use cardboard dividers in the box and stack the cups up in the separate dividers. Try to find dividers that are appropriately sized for the cups. If the dividers leave open space around the cups, fill that space in with packing peanuts or newspapers.
  4. Place a layer of packing peanuts or cardboard after each stack of cups.
  5. Don’t forget to label the box right away!

At Pony Express we are committed to helping you with a smooth transition into your new home. For questions about packing and moving services in your area, contact us today at 617-983-8700

Clean out Your Closet – Moving Tips

Clean out Your Closet for Moving DayClean out Your Closet

Packing your clothing properly will keep them dry and free of damage when you move. It’s important to take the process seriously and with care to prevent damage. Moving is stressful and expensive enough, there is no need to have to add to the cost by having to replace your clothing. Here are some tips for your next move for packing up your closet:

Clean out Your Closet

Moving is a great opportunity to clear out some of your old clothes, or clothes you don’t wear. The more you get rid of, the less you have to pack, and the less you have to move! Donate or sell what is gently worn, and throw out anything with holes or stains.

Sorting For Different Seasons

Sort and pack clothing by season. Start with clothes that are out of season and label the boxes. This will make unpacking easier and more convenient in your new place. You can unpack out of season clothing last since you don’t need them right away.

Stuff your Shoes

If you just dump your shoes in a box, they can get crushed and misshaped from the weight of the other shoes. There’s no telling how long before they will be unpacked when you move in. Stuff them with your socks to help them keep their shape while you move.

Use Your Luggage

Save space in boxes by packing your clothes in your suitcases and luggage. Set aside one or two pieces of luggage for the clothing you will need in the first week or so after your move. After that fill whatever spare bags or suitcases with whatever will fit from your closet.

Moving is an exciting new start with a lot of opportunities, but it comes at no little cost. Packing and making arrangements and check lists upon checklists can seem daunting. For help moving in the Boston area and beyond, contact us at Pony Express Movers for local and interstate service. Let us take some of the stress out of your move.

Packing Tips and Packing FAQ

Packing Tips and Packing FAQ Answered by Professional Boston MoversPacking Tips and Packing FAQ

With over 19 years as a licensed, insured, and bonded moving company Pony Express has countless number of local and long distance moves under our belts. We are one of the longest lived moving companies in Boston with over a hundred years combined experience among our movers. There is nothing we have not seen or dealt with when it comes to moving.
Any professional mover will tell you the key to speeding up your move is good packing. The more prepared you are, the more efficient your moving day will be. When you’re hiring movers, you want your crew to have as few loose items to deal with, so work ahead of time to be sure everything that can fit in a box is already packed, and packed safely. We are committed to making sure your move runs smoothly and safely without any surprises. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions that we’ve compiled to help you pack better for a better move.

What is that best way to pack dishes for moving or storage?

  •  Use plenty of packing paper. Newspaper works great. Crumple up the pieces and make a layer the bottom of the box. Tuck the paper in the sides of the box after you’ve loaded the dishes in so that nothing can move around.
  • Don’t put your plates or bowls in flat. Put your dishes in the box resting on their standing edge.
  • Use a dish barrel box for packing (pictured on the left). Dish barrels are boxes specifically designed with double-walled extra protection for china, antiques or fragile items. If you are packing using a dish barrel, work heaviest to lightest. Heavier items go in first so they don’t put too much weight on the lighter, more fragile items.

Should I disassemble my furniture when I move, or leave it together?

  • Taking apart heavier or larger items like bed frames, tables, or shelving can save you time and space, especially on a long distance or interstate move, when you only want to make one trip.
  • Be sure you keep all the parts together! If it is a complex piece of furniture, consider making a diagram to help you put it back together afterward.
  • You can also have movers come in in advance to disassemble your furniture on a packing day, or on the day of the move. Be sure to communicate with your movers to discuss your needs ahead of time.

What packing materials are best? Are packing peanuts bad?

  • Packing peanuts are more for mailing. News paper, paper pads and cardboard are good for moving. Packing peanuts can cause motion of items inside the box, which can lead to damage.
  • Professional movers use “clean newsprint” paper. If you are packing fragile items yourself you can use recycled printed newspaper that you have at home.
  • Think twice about bubble wrap  as well. Wrapping things with bubble wrap can cause compression breakage.

When packing, be sure that all of your boxes are loaded with heavier items in the bottom of the box. Properly packed boxes ensure the safety of your belongings, and your moving crew. If you do not have time to pack, or are unsure how to pack large, awkward, or fragile items, contact our crew at Pony Express to learn about packing services. Our professionals will come in before your moving day, and go room to room packing your belongings for safe travel. Call us today to learn more about our moving and packing services, local or long distance. We are located in Jamaica Plains Boston and we have moved our clients all over the country including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Chicago. Call today at 617-983-8700 or e-mail us info@ponymove.com.