You’ve packed up almost all of your belongings for your upcoming move, but you don’t know how to transport valuable artwork. Paintings and framed can add stress to your packing list. Mishaps occur during moves, and the risk of transporting valuables makes it difficult to guarantee the flawless protection you need for artwork.

However, when you take these simple steps to pack artwork carefully, you can ensure your home’s art will arrive at your new place in the best shape possible.

Hire Professionals or Do It Yourself?

Most moving companies provide packing services for customers like you. Many companies have special procedures for packing fragile artwork, mirrors, and antiques. If you choose the right moving team, you have nothing to worry about. You can trust that they have experience packing valuables and that they ensure your artwork makes it to your new home safely.

However, some people still prefer to pack their artwork themselves. You may save you money in the long run if you don’t have to pay for moving services. When you know you carefully hand-wrapped each piece yourself, you have a different peace of mind

If you do decide to pack your artwork yourself, use these tips from the professionals to get your valuables into your new home safe and sound.

What Do You Need?

To prepare your sentimental items and artwork for transportation, you’ll need to Wheaton Moverspurchase the right packing supplies. Take a look at our list for suggested items, including:

  • Moving boxes slightly larger than the artwork. You might even invest in picture boxes, adjustable moving boxes made specifically for transporting artwork.
  • Cardboard tubes for any unframed canvases, paintings, or posters. You can buy these at packing stores, the post office, or online. You can also stop by your local craft or hobby store and ask if they have any extra tubes lying around.
  • Bubble wrap or corner protectors for wrapping the artwork.
  • Packing paper to cushion the artwork inside the moving boxes.
  • Flat sheets of cardboard to lay over the framed paintings. These should be just larger than the painting itself.
  • Masking tape or blue painter’s tape to protect glass.
  • Packing tape to close the moving boxes.
  • Permanent markers to label your containers.

How Should You Pack Your Artwork?

  1. First, make a list of all the artwork you intend to pack. An inventory will help you keep track of the artwork and estimate its value in case of an emergency. Depending on the value, you may consider insuring the artwork against the move.
  2. Lay the artwork out on a flat surface.
  3. As a precaution, use either masking tape or blue painter’s tape to mark a large X across the glass of the artwork. Should the glass break, the tape will keep it from shattering and damaging the artwork beneath and the other items in the box.

For artwork not covered by glass, place a sheet of packing paper over the painting. Do not use printed newspaper, because it will leave ink marks on the painting.

  1. Place a sheet of cardboard over the glass or painting. The sheet should be slightly larger than the painting.
  2. Put protectors on the corners of the frame or canvas. Then wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap and tape it down to secure the bubble wrap from shifting.
  3. Crunch up packing paper and place at the bottom of the moving box. Place pieces of artwork vertically in the box, not lying down on top of each other, and place crumpled packing paper on each side.
  4. Repeat steps one through six with each piece of artwork. You can pack multiple pieces of wrapped artwork in the same box as long as you place a cushion of crumpled packing paper between each one.
  5. Close the box up with packing tape and label it as “Fragile.” List pieces of artwork on the side of the box to help you locate specific pieces once you are in your new home.

Follow these steps and you won’t have to worry about breakage or damage to your artwork. You can expect that each piece will arrive ready to be hung in your new home.

Tagged in: Art work, DIY, moving, packing

All the mental and financial stress associated with moving can make the process painful. But despite the anxiety, you find yourself excited. Whether you’re getting a new job, starting married life, or retiring after years of hard work, moving opens new and intriguing doors.

In the midst of the excitement and packing your belongings – have you stopped to consider how to adjust to a change in weather? Of course, if you plan to move only a couple hours away, you have no need to fear. But what about moving across the country or even across the world?

You want to acclimate as easily as you can to new, unfamiliar, or extreme climates. If a mild or static climate is familiar to you, prepare to experience all four seasons in full force. Read the following list of tips and tricks on how to adjust to moving from a hotter climate to a colder climate and vice versa.

From Hot to Cold

1. Gear Up

Do you plan to move from the absurdly perfect temperatures of Southern California to the frigid Midwest? You might find a shocking change emotionally and physically.

When you make a move like this, avoid the temptation of buying all your coats, gloves, shoes, and scarves at a beach shop or an outdoor mall. Sure, you might find some stylish jackets, but you probably won’t find what you really need. Instead, wait until after you move to buy warm and cozy clothing.

2. Prep Your Car and Your Driving Skills

One of the most drastic changes to take into account is winter weather’s effect on your car. You may drive in icy rain or whitewashed snowfall, so remember to drive extra carefully. Consider investing in snow tires or even snow chains in case snow and ice cover the roads.

When you move from a warmer area, you might not realize that mornings sometimes require you to scrape ice off your windshield and windows. Plan ahead so you avoid late days at work. In the worst case scenario, your vehicle might get stuck in bad conditions. Remember that you may need to walk or use public transportation during severe winter storms.

From Cold to Hot

3. It’s All About Air Conditioning

If you live in a seasonally mild or consistently cold area, you’ve probably never relied on air conditioning. But if your big move takes you to somewhere like Arizona, get ready to value an AC unit more than ever before. A cool home really acts as an oasis amid scorching heat.

All kinds of AC systems exist-central, split system, window, wall, portable, and more. Find out what approach works best for your new home, and don’t wait to get it installed, especially if your move occurs during the summer. And in order to cut down on potentially costly energy bills, use your home’s natural ventilation to your advantage by opening windows during the nighttime.

4. Eat and Drink Well

You might not think food and water have anything to do with hot temperatures. However, you can adjust more quickly to heat depending on what you do or do not consume. Most importantly, you want to drink plenty of water at consistent intervals. Dehydration presents a threat if you have an active or busy day with temperatures in the 90s or 100s.

Stay away from hot drinks like coffee, hot chocolate, and tea. Consuming hot beverages will amplify your body’s internal temperature. Avoid eating anything too spicy as well. You may need to wait on that mouthwatering chili burrito until a cooler evening.

With these simple tips, you can prepare to brave mild or even extreme weather changes in the next chapter of your life. Remember to apply this advice to make your adjustment less jarring and more comfortable.

Tagged in: Being Prepared, Climate, Weather

When you move to a new home, you try to pack and travel efficiently. But even smart moving practices can have a negative environmental impact. From non-degradable packing materials to toxic gases emitted during transit, a move has potential for a large carbon footprint.

Use the following steps during each stage of your move to make the process more sustainable.

During Preparation

Adopt these sustainable practices as you prepare for the big day.

1. Clean with Natural Solvents

When you move, you have to leave your old home clean for your landlord or the next owners. Cleaning products emit toxic chemicals, including phosphorous, nitrogen, and ammonia. Green cleaning solvents reduce the pollution your move-out cleaning causes.

2. Pack with Sustainable Containers

Use sustainable containers as you pack to reduce the waste of your trip. Either use recyclable cardboard boxes or reusable plastic crates.

3. Reduce Your Load

As you organize your belongings, separate items you can sell or donate. The heavier you have to pack your moving truck, the more effort and fuel the truck must use.

En Route

The way you move holds as much importance as how you pack and settle into your new home. Use these strategies to keep your move green.

1. Choose a Direct Route

Plan your driving route and follow your plan. Drivers who follow a set route save money on gas and rental truck time. Additionally, these movers produce less carbon monoxide while on their drives.

2. Consider Transporting Your Car

If you plan to drive a moving truck or van, transport your everyday car via rail. On average, a train is four times more efficient than a truck. Combine a planned route and a railway car shipment to produce as few greenhouse gases as possible.

3. Partner with an Eco-conscious Mover

To ensure you take as many green steps as possible, work with an eco-conscious mover. Look for a mover who uses sustainable business practices in addition to offering green moving options. These companies are more likely to practice safe transportation, disposal, and production. Contact a local Wheaton agent for more information about planning an eco-friendly move.

After Arrival

Once you reach your new home, immediately implement eco-conscious practices like setting your thermostat and using natural light. While you unpack, use these steps as well.

1. Choose Green Furnishings and Paint

As you move in, maintain a green presence. If you need to repaint before decorating, choose eco-friendly paint. Once you finish, return the cans to your home renovation store. The store will use any leftover paint and recycle the empty cans.

If you need to add any furnishings to your belongings, look for secondhand pieces. Secondhand shops reduce the waste in local land fills.

2. Recycle Your Packing Materials

Whether you use crumpled newspaper or biodegradable packing peanuts, recycle your packing materials. If you purchased foam, bubble wrap, or cardboard boxes, list them online for other moving families to use.

3. Unpack Smart

As you bring in your belongings, close the door between each person. If the weather allows, avoid turning on the heater or air conditioner until after you bring inside everything. This reduces the amount of energy you use on your first day in your new home.

During the moving process, consult with your transport company. The staff members can identify other ways to reduce your move’s environmental impact. Address your concerns about sustainability with the crew who helps you. When the movers know your priorities, they can better perform their job.

As you complete each stage of your move, look for areas where you can reduce material and energy use, use sustainable alternative options, and make responsible disposal easier. Use the 9 tips in this blog to start.

Tagged in: Environmentally Friendly, Green Move, Recycle, Sutainable Moving

As an aspiring artist or a long-time professional painter, you take great care to ensure each piece looks its best. You deliberate over tempera or oil paints. You thoughtfully choose between fan, angle, or rigger brushes. And you painstakingly select your references so each pose, angle, and shadow comes out the way you envisioned.

When you finally finish the last brush stroke, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment over a job well done. Even if you sell most of your pieces, you likely hang on to a few of your favorites for your personal collection. Your most recent work, for example, might hang in your living room for all your guests to see. Or maybe your first portrait still sits in the corner of your bedroom.

Naturally, you want to preserve your paintings so they last for generations. So what can you do to ensure your gallery survives your next move?

Consider Your Art’s Value

Your art likely carries a great deal of personal value, but how much is it worth from an economic standpoint? If your paintings represent a large portion of your income, you may wish to have an appraiser estimate their value.

Some of the most reliable appraisal organizations include:

On a budget? You can also choose online appraisals such as Mutual Art and Value My Stuff.

Once you know your painting’s value, you can determine whether a specific piece (or pieces) require additional insurance to cover them during transit. For highly priced items, you may wish to ship your art separately from the rest of your household goods through a specialized service. You can also talk to your moving company about their packing policies for fine art. Local Wheaton agents offer a variety of materials for purchase should you choose to pack yourself.

Tips to Pack Unframed Paintings

Unframed paintings require a delicate touch. The oils in your hands could easily attract dirt and smudge your artwork. To protect your painting while your prepare it, wear white cotton photography gloves, and then follow these steps.

  1. Wrap the painting in acid-free tissue paper. Do not use newspaper, as the inks can rub off onto your art. Parchment paper also has rough etches which can pit, scratch, and etch delicate pieces, so avoid it whenever possible.
  2. To secure the tissue paper, place acid-free photo and document tape on the corners. Only tape the tissue paper, not the painting itself.
  3. Mount your wrapped painting to a piece of sturdy cardboard with tape, and cover the other side with cardboard. You may use multiple layers on both sides for extra protection and use tape to keep everything together.
  4. Place the painting in a mirror box.

Once you finish, mark the box as fragile and inform your movers about the art to ensure they store it appropriately.

Tips to Pack Framed Paintings

Although framed paintings have a little more protection than unframed paintings, they can still suffer damage. If not packaged correctly, the canvas can stretch and shift in its frame, or the glass may shatter and tear the art underneath. Use these tips for framed artwork.

  1. As with unframed paintings, wrap the frame in acid-free tissue paper.
  2. Cover the art in bubble wrap. Make sure the corners have adequate coverage; they tend to absorb the most bumps during a move.
  3. Place a layer of cardboard on both sides of the bubble wrap, and secure them with tape.
  4. Insert the artwork into a mirror box or crate that fits the piece. Fill in any gaps with tissue paper to prevent shifting.
  5. Mark the box fragile.

And don’t forget to let your movers know that your pieces require careful handling. With these techniques, your art should arrive in pristine, exhibition-worthy condition.

Tagged in: Art work, moving

Your pantry and your refrigerator are some of the last spots in your house that get your attention before a move. After all, you have to eat in between packing up your belongings and tidying up rooms.

Still, with moving on your mind, you find yourself staring at your pantry, mentally trying to fit each item inside a moving box.

You wonder if you should just leave some items behind. Sure, you spent money on all those frozen veggies, but you don’t think they’ll survive the two-day road trip to your new house.

If you feel unsure what food items to transport on your move, consult the list below. We’ll tell you what to save, what to toss, and how to pack it all just right.

What to Save

Bring only food items that will remain edible and stay inside their containers during the trek to your new residence. In most cases, non-perishable and unopened items fit this criteria best, but you’ll find a few exceptions included on the list below.

Canned Goods

Canned goods of all sizes should do just fine during your move. Check expiration dates, and discard any cans that have a fast approaching use-by date. Pack everything else in small or medium boxes so you or your movers can lift them without difficulty.Canned Food

A few weeks before your move, visit local grocery stores and ask for boxes. Many stores have extras available for customers at no extra charge. These boxes fit canned goods snuggly, too, meaning they won’t shift in transit.

Unopened Condiments & Boxed or Bagged Foods

Like canned goods, these pre-packaged foods are easy to bring along. Stack them side by side in their own boxes, or at the top of unfilled boxes. You can also put them in canvas reusable grocery bags and store them in your trunk until you arrive.

Basic Cooking Ingredients

pantryIf you have a large spice collection or mounds of stored flour and sugar, you won’t have to leave them behind. Pack them like this:

• Put unopened bags of dry ingredients into boxes or plastic storage barrels.
• Pack loose, opened ingredients into reusable kitchen storage containers.
• Tape shut any spices, such as salt containers, that may open if tilted.
• Place spice bottles in boxes with canned goods. This uses empty space without adding too much weight.

Food Storage

If you have a stockpile of foods to use in emergencies, bring it along to your new house. As much as possible, put these cans into boxes or durable plastic storage bins.

If you stock your food storage on shelves in an easy-access location such as the garage, ask your movers to wrap these shelves in industrial plastic wrap. This saves you having to disassemble the shelves and reassemble them later.

What to Toss

You should eat up, throw out, or donate any foods that didn’t make the above list in the final days before you move. This includes food stored in glaMove for Hunger logoss jars and anything that requires refrigeration or freezing. Of course, if you’re moving only a short distance, you might be able to salvage some items that fit into those categories.

Remember, the cost of your move is based on the weight plus distance your goods are traveling. You may want to consider losing some of the weight and helping others by donating your unwanted, non-perishable food items to local food banks. Donating your food is easier than everwith Move For Hunger. Through Move For Hunger, your local Wheaton agent will take your donated food and deliver it to a local food pantry. Talk to your local Wheaton agent to learn more about Move For Hunger Program.

You might balk at the amount of food you must get rid of to meet these requirements, but consider the alternative. Think of the mess you’ll find if a jar of spaghetti sauce breaks open between here and there. Tell yourself it’s okay to spend money on groceries in your new city to avoid cleaning up nasty spills.

That’s it. You’re all set to pack your pantry. Once you arrive at your new house, check out our blogs about organizing your pantry  and your kitchen.

Tagged in: Canned Goods, Donating, Food, moving, Pantry

Your pantry and your refrigerator are some of the last spots in your house that get your attention before a move. After all, you have to eat in between packing up your belongings and tidying up rooms.

Still, with moving on your mind, you find yourself staring at your pantry, mentally trying to fit each item inside a moving box.

You wonder if you should just leave some items behind. Sure, you spent money on all those frozen veggies, but you don’t think they’ll survive the two-day road trip to your new house.

If you feel unsure what food items to transport on your move, consult the list below. We’ll tell you what to save, what to toss, and how to pack it all just right.

What to Save

Bring only food items that will remain edible and stay inside their containers during the trek to your new residence. In most cases, non-perishable and unopened items fit this criteria best, but you’ll find a few exceptions included on the list below.

Canned Goods

Canned goods of all sizes should do just fine during your move. Check expiration dates, and discard any cans that have a fast approaching use-by date. Pack everything else in small or medium boxes so you or your movers can lift them without difficulty.

A few weeks before your move, visit local grocery stores and ask for boxes. Many stores have extras available for customers at no extra charge. These boxes fit canned goods snuggly, too, meaning they won’t shift in transit.

Unopened Condiments & Boxed or Bagged Foods

Like canned goods, these pre-packaged foods are easy to bring along. Stack them side by side in their own boxes, or at the top of unfilled boxes. You can also put them in canvas reusable grocery bags and store them in your trunk until you arrive.

Basic Cooking Ingredients

pantryIf you have a large spice collection or mounds of stored flour and sugar, you won’t have to leave them behind. Pack them like this:

• Put unopened bags of dry ingredients into boxes or plastic storage barrels.
• Pack loose, opened ingredients into reusable kitchen storage containers.
• Tape shut any spices, such as salt containers, that may open if tilted.
• Place spice bottles in boxes with canned goods. This uses empty space without adding too much weight.

Food Storage

If you have a stockpile of foods to use in emergencies, bring it along to your new house. As much as possible, put these cans into boxes or durable plastic storage bins.

If you stock your food storage on shelves in an easy-access location such as the garage, ask your movers to wrap these shelves in industrial plastic wrap. This saves you having to disassemble the shelves and reassemble them later.

What to Toss

You should eat up, throw out, or donate any foods that didn’t make the above list in the final days before you move. This includes food stored in glaMove for Hunger logoss jars and anything that requires refrigeration or freezing. Of course, if you’re moving only a short distance, you might be able to salvage some items that fit into those categories.

Remember, the cost of your move is based on the weight plus distance your goods are traveling. You may want to consider losing some of the weight and helping others by donating your unwanted, non-perishable food items to local food banks. Donating your food is easier than everwith Move For Hunger. Through Move For Hunger, your local Wheaton agent will take your donated food and deliver it to a local food pantry. Talk to your local Wheaton agent to learn more about Move For Hunger Program.

You might balk at the amount of food you must get rid of to meet these requirements, but consider the alternative. Think of the mess you’ll find if a jar of spaghetti sauce breaks open between here and there. Tell yourself it’s okay to spend money on groceries in your new city to avoid cleaning up nasty spills.

That’s it. You’re all set to pack your pantry. Once you arrive at your new house, check out our blogs about organizing your pantry  and your kitchen.

Tagged in: Canned Goods, Donating, Food, moving, Pantry

Whether you’re neck deep in Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett’s love affair, you’ve just reached the most interesting argument in your medical journal or you can’t take your eyes away from the records of Malcolm Gladwell’s latest social science experiment, it’s time to break away from whatever book you’re reading and turn your attention to packing.

You hate packing, do you? Join the club. To many homeowners, packing seems like a never-ending activity full of boxes, tape, and labels. Fortunately, there is one way you can keep your mind, heart, and soul active while you slave through the various drawers and chores on your packing to-do list: utilize technology.

You live in the Information Age-information is at your fingertips. If you’re the type of person that isn’t a fan of packing and likes to learn on the go, you’re in luck. Technology allows you to kill two birds with one stone and learn a thing or two while you clean out drawers, tape boxes closed, and load furniture into your truck.

Grab your smartphone, log into the app store, and download the TED Talks app. This app has a collection of hundreds of different TED Talks that you can listen to while you pack up your belongings for a new adventure.

1. My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor

jillBolteTaylorTED“How many brain scientists have been able to study the brain from the inside out? I’ve gotten as much out of this experience of losing my left mind as I have in my entire academic career.” – Jill Bolte Taylor

No medical journal or research findings that deal with the brain come close to Jill Bolte Taylor’s experience as a neuroanatomist turned stroke survivor. In her 2008 TED Talk, Taylor walks her listeners through the feelings and emotions she experienced during her own stroke.

Bolte Taylor was able to tap into her brain as it lost each of its functions, including memory, speech, motion, and self-awareness. Not only is Bolte Taylor’s experience fascinating, but it also helps listeners understand what it felt like to be a brain scientist who used her own stroke as a springboard into some of the most valuable scientific research available for medical professionals.

Tune in to hear how, as an unknowing scientific guinea pig, Bolte Taylor turned her terrifying stroke experience into a stroke of insight for the medical research community.

Tony Robbins2. Why We Do What We Do by Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins, the life coach and self-help guru, has one goal: he wants to know why you do what you do. When Robbins took the TED stage in 2006, he asked the audience what “invisible forces” motivate them to move, to grow, to learn, and to work.

What motivates you to move, grow, learn, and work?

Download this episode to discover your own answers, to learn more about motivation.

3. How Schools Kill Creativity by Ken Robinson

Sir Ken Robinson, an international advisor on education, has one thing on his mind: creativity. In Robinson’s 2006 TED Talk, he wants the world to rethink the wRobinsonay our schools are educating our children. Listen in as he speaks to the audience and makes a case for creativity in the school system.

If you don’t want to listen to an entire TED Talk during your afternoon of packing, you can log into the app store on your smartphone and download the TED Radio Hour app. The host, Guy Raz, compiles talks and interviews a host of speakers on the same topic for one hour.

If there aren’t enough hours in the day to check off your packing checklist and do activities that will keep your mind active, rely on technology to help you multitask while you pack. Although it doesn’t take much brainpower to pack belongings and secure boxes with tape, a TED Talk will make the time go faster and help you keep your mind active on the go.

Have you used TED talks to pass the time? What would you add to your “must listen” list? Comment below and let us know!

Electronics are often both valuable and fragile. Packing and transporting electronics for a corporate moving or residential storage can seem intimidating. However, with the proper supplies and methods, you can warrant that these items will safely reach their destination. Here are 8 packing tips from well-trained Indian Wells movers.

1. Prepare the materials you need.

These include the original box or return kit of the electronics, double-walled box, antistatic packing popcorn or bubbles, marker, packing tape, twist ties, and sealable bags. Ask your local movers if they can provide any of these.

2. Label cords and cables properly.

Take time to look behind your electronics at how all of the cables connect. Use little strips of the packing tape to make labels for each cord. Writing what item it belongs to and any additional notes will help the moving & storage services crew when putting it back together.

3. Unplug and tie cables together.

Tightly fold the cables together and secure them with a twisty tie. This will will keep everything organized. It will also help prevent the cables from getting tangled together, a usual problem that eats plenty of time of local movers.

4. Pack electronic parts together.

Make sure to keep all of the pieces and parts of the electronics together. As much as possible, put all of the components of an item in a sealable bag. That way, when the local movers begin to put together your computer or TV, they know where all the parts are.

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5. Safely wrap the electronics.

It is best to wrap items with monitors in a layer of anti-static foam to avoid any scratching on the screen during the corporate moving day or throughout its stay in a residential storage facility. As you box each item, make sure to fill empty spaces with either newspaper or bubble wrap to help absorb any shock.

6. Organize boxes and containers while packing.

Moving & storage services providers suggest that it is more expedient to organize your boxes by room or by category. Whichever you prefer, be sure to keep your electronics packed together. Do not forget to label all boxes and mark them as fragile.

7. Write down specific instructions for your local movers.

For extra protection and easier referencing, secure a detailed step-by-step instructions on how you are dismantling complex electronic items so the moving & storage services personnel can refer to it later when assembling the devices. Keep this instruction guide in the box with the electronics.

8. Secure your CDs and software.

These items cannot tolerate high temperatures. If you have sensitive media, it is more advisable to carry it with you instead of putting it on the truck. Coordinate to your Indian Wells movers about this matter before you pack and ship it.

Advance planning and smart organization can make a big difference to your corporate moving experience. For further assistance, contact the professional Indian Wells movers at Desert Moving Company & Storage to learn more about packing electronics and how they can make your move or residential storage easier.