Eco-Friendly Moving - Moving To Reduce Your Footprint

Many times moving can seemed rushed, unorganized, and stressful.  We want to do things right, but we have little time.  And with little time comes little time to think things out. And eco-friendly moving can seem next to impossible.  We want to do right buy the earth, but with all the boxes, paper, shrink wrap, and gas - we can feel like we are consuming like a 19th century coal burning industrialist. The good news is, there are simple things that you can do to do a great job of eco-friendly moving.  Follow the steps below and not only will you help save the earth, but you will save money as well. Four Tips For Eco-Friendly Moving: Give away unwanted items - You will be surprised at how much stuff you accumulate.  As you start to pack, create three piles in each room you go through: Give Away, Throw Away, and Keep.  Use the "one year rule:" if you have not used it in one year, it can probably be given or thrown away.  There are many charitable donation sites in your a ... Read the rest of entry »

Moving While Pregnant? Follow These Three Tips

There is so much joy and stress that are bound up in being pregnant.  There is so much to get ready for.  But planning a move on top of all that can really put a lot of strain on an expectant mother.  We all know that staying calm and learning to relax is the best medicine for you and your baby.  Yet moving while pregnant can be next to impossible - if you do not have a plan. Here are three things you can do to keep yourself on task and calm while you are moving: Moving while pregnant: the three do's Plan early:  The more you make your task list the boss, the less you have to think about what you have to do.  But this means that you will have to sit down and plan all the steps of your move. What utilities need to be turned off and when What utilities will need to be turned on at the new place and when Are you going to pack or will your movers pack for you Will you have the movers move everything or just furniture When will everything need to be p ... Read the rest of entry »

How To Create A Simple Yet Effective Move Task Organizer

Moving is a stressful time.  With all the things you have to remember, get done, transfer over, and coordinate - no wonder people dread doing it.  And truth be told, there is no easy way to do it.  But for those that have been in the business a while, we have seen some tricks that have helped the average person save time and their sanity. The trick I am about to share with you today is one of the best I have seen.  It is an easy way to take all of the stress out of your brain and put it in a place that you can manage it, one task at a time.  And the good news is, it is low tech and costs about $10 to create. The Task Organizer: Let's face it, getting organized is hard.  We all want to stay on top of the demands of our life - but moving can be overwhelming.  What you need is a system that gets 100% of your tasks out of your brain and into a place that you can schedule them and take care of them as you have the energy.  Welcome to the task organizer.  This is ... Read the rest of entry »

Three Easy Ways To Get Ready For Summer

Summer in the Northwest is slow in coming this year, but that does not mean that it is not on its way.  If you have not yet got your house ready for drop in guests and outdoor parties, nature has given you a small reprieve.  Below are some great tips for getting you house cleaned up and ready for the summer season. Put away your winter clothes.  Storing your winter clothes and making room for your summer clothes not only makes it easier to get dressed in the summer, but it reduces clutter.  Make sure that all your clothes are washed and free of food and skin oil stains.  This keeps your clothes fresh and reduces the risk of moths and other pests making their way to them. Store your clothes in a place that is dark, cool, and dry.  This ensures that the sun will not damage them, mold will not infest them, and they will be as good as new when you pull them out in winter. Make a run to the Good Will.  It is amazing how much stuff we accumulate over the course ... Read the rest of entry »

Seven Steps To Perfectly Packing The Linens

Many times we get started on a project and we loose sight of everything that needs to happen in order to make it a success.  The easiest way to combat this is to start with the end in mind.  If you are able to visualize the end goal that you want and then work backward to the starting point, you will have a much better chance of success. So when it comes to packing the linens, we need to see ourselves in the new house with everything neat and organized.  If we can see what that looks like, your chances of it actually happening have just improved. When it comes to packing the linens, we have to go to the end in order to figure out how we should get there.  Imagine you are in your new home with all the linens put away, they are clean and fresh and ready to use.  Each piece has its place. Here are the steps in how you get there: Take note of how much space you will have at the new place.  Do you reasonably think all your linens will fit in the new hom ... Read the rest of entry »

The Best Way To Pack A Mirror In Three Easy Steps

We all dread moving mirrors.  They are fragile and many of the them are big, so they don't easily fit in a box.  As movers, we have figured out fool proof ways to make sure those mirrors get to their destination as beautiful as when they started. So follow along and you will learn the tricks the pros use to get those mirrors from point A to point B in one piece. Step One: Prep the boxes: The first thing to understand is the best box to use.  At Apex, we use mirror pack boxes.  It is actually one large box that has been cut in four so that when you put the box back together it can expand or contract to the exact dimensions of the mirror.  So the first thing you have to do is assemble each corner of the box.  Tape each corner together so that they create section of the box. Step Two: Wrap the Mirror: The second thing to do is to wrap the mirror in packing paper.  But before you do, take the time to wipe down the mirror.  Remove any dust or particles.  It is ... Read the rest of entry »

How to Pack The Dishes Like A Pro In Two Easy Steps

With all that you have to do in a move, packing the dishes is normally one of the last. It only stands to reason since they are the one thing in the house that you consistently use on a regular basis. The unfortunate thing is, last minute items are usually packed with the least amount of care. And dishes need your full attention when packing so that you are able to make sure they make it to your home in one piece. So here are two things that you can do to pack your dishes with speed and security. If you follow these two tips not only will you be package like a pro but also your dishes will come through unscathed on the other side. Tip one: Pack in layers. Think of your dish box as a layered cake. You have each layer of cake with a nice layer of frosting in-between. Except in this case the frosting is packing paper and the cake is your dishes. Do this: Put a good layer of crumpled packing paper in the bottom of the box. (frosting) Put a layer of dishes in with packing paper in-betwe ... Read the rest of entry »

Packing the Bedroom

OK, packing the bedroom can be a daunting task.  Wading through all the clothes, knick knacks, books, kid's toys, and accumulated "stuff" can make the most sturdy heart faint.  Since we have some experience moving people in Seattle and beyond, we have developed a precision plan to tackle the mountain and make a manageable project.  Follow these easy steps and getting your bedrooms ready will be a breeze: Create three piles: Create space for three pile: Keep, Throw, and Donate.  Belongings, like our waistline, tend to grow with time.  It takes discipline to keep both in line.  So making the hard decision up front is tough, but it will save hours during the move.  Decide what needs to get tossed, donated to Good Will, and what is important enough to make it to your new place.  Use the one year rule - "If you haven't used it in a year, toss it." Pack a First Night Suitcase: The first night in  your home will be chaotic.  Take time to pack what you will ne ... Read the rest of entry »

Packing the Painting

Every work of art deserves special care.  But when it comes to oil paintings, a few extra precautions are in order.  Here is a brief understanding of how to transport your paintings.  (whether you are moving locally or from state to state, the same steps apply.)   For oil paintings, purchase specialty wrapping paper called "glassine."  This will be the paper actually touching the painting surface.  Regular papers can adhere to the oil and permanently damage the painting.  "Glassne" was specifically designed to not adhere, even in 100+ degree heat. Once the "glassine" has been applied, wrap the entire painting and frame with regular moving papaer.  Do not use newspaper, the ink from the newsprint can rub off onto the frame. Make sure to pad all corners with corner protectors. Put the painting in a picture moving box and completely seal all openings.  This will prevent dust, dirt, and grime from finding its way in. Ok, there is a quick packi ... Read the rest of entry »

Lest We Forget

When we move, we have so many things on our mind.  Wouldn't it be nice that as we pack, cross off moving checklists, and call around to different moving & storage companies - that someone would give us a checklist of items we may forget about?  Well, over the next few weeks, I will be giving you some items that are classically overlooked. Copy and Paste them to your list or email this to a friend, we want you to feel prepared.     Change of Adress:     Grab a Change of Address form from the Post Office and give your new address to:   Banks ·       Checking ·       Investments ·       Loans ·       Savings   Church, Synagogue, or place of worship Credit Cards Friends & Family Health Care Providers ·       Dentist ·       ... Read the rest of entry »