Dallas Movers and Packing Service

 

More people are becoming ecologically conscious these days and for those of you that haven’t quite taken the plunge, you may be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to move green. Here are some real time saving suggestions on how to clean green during your move.

Cleaning supplies

Consider all the cleaning products that the commercials tell us are “necessary” to clean with ease. Many of these don’t even work as well as the non-toxic alternatives. For instance simple white vinegar (which is very cheap to boot) is used for a number of tasks from cleaning windows to taking the pet accident smells from a carpet to cleaning a grimy oven (when combined with baking soda). There are countless uses and you won’t be poisoning yourself in the process! That is only one of the many benefits to moving green.

Here is a checklist to help you cover all your bases:

Cleaning supplies you will need for your green move:

~Rubber gloves

~Cleaning rags (these can be old clothes cut up into various sizes)

~Sponges (with one side that is a scrubber)

~Two or three old toothbrushes

~Scrub brush

~ Sponges (several)

~Mop

~ Broom and dustpan

~Vacuum cleaner

~White vinegar

~Baking soda

~Ammonia

~Spray bottles (At least two. One for the vinegar solution and one for baking soda solution)

~Buckets (One for cleaning, one for rinsing)

~ A box or two labeled “Do not move” (For your cleaning supplies)

Things to prepare for your green move:

~Window cleaner:

In a spray bottle or a bucket mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water. This mixture is better than most commercial chemical solutions and will leave you with gleaming windows without the usual streaks. Dry with a soft clean cloth or newspaper.

~Woodwork washing solution:

You will make washing walls, woodwork and even venetian blinds a breeze by using a mixture of 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, ¼ cup baking soda and 1gallon of warm water. Wipe this solution onto the walls or the blinds with a rag or a sponge. You’ll be amazed how easily the dirt and the grime comes away when you rinse with clear water. It will not dull the finish of the painted walls nor leave any streaks.

~ For no wax floors:

To wash no wax floors in your green move, add ½ cup white distilled vinegar to a half gallon warm water.

~For carpet stain removal:

Mix 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent with one teaspoon of white distilled vinegar into a pint of warm water to remove non oily stains from your carpet. Apply it to the stain with a towel or a soft brush and rub gently. Rinse with a moistened towel (using water) and blot dry. Repeat until stain is gone. Use a hair dryer to dry. (Of course this is best done as soon as the stain occurs))

~To clean the refrigerator:

Use a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar with warm water.

~Cleaning stainless steel appliances:

To avoid streaks use straight vinegar on a soft cloth. But try it on an inconspicuous area beforehand as a test.

~Bathtub film:

This can be removed by wiping or spraying white vinegar onto the surface of the sink and then using baking soda. (most likely where they originally got the idea of “scrubbing bubbles”) Rinse with clear water.

~Shower doors:

Rub down the shower doors with a scrubber sponge soaked in white vinegar. This will remove scale, scum and any soap residue.

~Toilet bowl cleaner:

You can remove any stubborn stains from your toilet bowl and still keep to your moving green program. Just use straight white distilled vinegar and scrub vigorously. (It’s a good idea to add 3 cups of the vinegar and allow it to soak in the bowl for at least a half an hour. Scrub and flush This has the added benefit of deodorizing the toilet.)

~Unclog the showerhead from mineral buildup:

Remove the showerhead and soak in pure white distilled vinegar overnight. Alternatively, you may soak a towel in vinegar and wrap the showerhead or faucet with it. You will find that even the thick deposits will come away with a little coaxing from an implement. Just be careful not to scratch.

~Deodorizing pet accidents:

Check the color fastness of the carpet by testing in an inconspicuous place first. (You may also use a dilution of half water and half vinegar if you aren’t sure.) Sprinkle or spray white distilled vinegar over the accident. Wait a few minutes and blot with a sponge or rag from the center outward. Blot up with a dry cloth. If this is an old accident you may need to repeat the procedure. You may only need to deodorize the rug by sprinkling baking soda on the carpet for at least fifteen minutes before vacuuming. (Don’t do this before you dust, though!)

~ For cleaning ovens:

You’ll be delighted at the ease of cleaning an oven without the toxic fumes usually associated with the task. Moving green has the answer!

1) First remove any racks or thermometers, etc.

2)Then simply measure out 1/2 cup of baking soda and add two or three tablespoons of water. This will be the consistency of a paste. Adjust the ratio until you have a spreadable paste.

3) Coat the oven, staying clear of the heating elements. (Use gloves as this part can be pretty grimy. That way you’ll be more likely to really give it a good thick coat) It will probably turn brown as you do this, but that is normal.

4) Let it sit overnight or at least 12 hours.

5) Meanwhile clean your racks

6) Wipe out the oven. After the 12 hours using a damp dishcloth or rag, wipe out as much of the soda paste as you can. You may use a silicone or plastic spatula to get the thicker residue out.

7) Spray vinegar everywhere in the oven that you still see the soda residue. The vinegar will react to the baking soda and will foam up loosening more of the grime.

8) Do a final wipe down removing the remaining foamy grease, vinegar and soda mixture. You may need to rinse you cloth out several times with more vinegar water as needed. Repeat until all the residue is gone and you have a clean, shiny oven!

 

So now you can claim the title of a green mover! (And the earth will thank you.)

 

 

Before starting your move, it’s important to take the time to sit down and plan out the entire timeline of the move. Make sure you include the managers or supervisors from different departments to determine if the timeline is feasible and to get their input on any potential roadblocks that could come up. Some departments have a lot more documents and furniture to move than others and the IT team in particular will need time to transport all of the network devices over. It’s often best to let them go in first so they can set up the network at the new location and make sure everything is working before people start moving over. Trying to trouble-shoot potential issues with the distraction of dozens of people moving in and setting up shop can be very difficult to do.

Depending on the size of your office, you will want to give yourself anywhere from three months for a small office to eight months for a very large one. If you have any specialized office equipment or machinery to move, this can add to the timeline. If you work in Engineering firm, for example, and need to move a 3D printer, ask your movers if they have experience handling this sort of equipment. Warranties on these expensive pieces of machinery generally do not cover damages from moving so make sure you aren’t hiring an amateur.

You will also want to get your hands on the blueprints of the new office to make sure there is enough space to fit the furniture you currently have. This is also a great opportunity to determine if you might need to purchase new furniture or sell existing pieces. If you are selling, often the buyer will come pick it up from your office so you don’t need to incur any shipping cost. Likewise, if you purchase new furniture you can have it delivered to the new office so it’s ready to be used when you get there. You should also determine if you want the walls painted, or want any changes made to the structure – such as additional meeting rooms. It’s far easier to have this work done when the office is empty, before you move in.

If you are organizing the move for a larger office, we recommend assigning someone from each department to oversee their group’s move. This person can report to you directly with their moving timeline, requests for modifications to the new office and any issues they are encountering. If you try to micro-manage each individual you will undoubtedly become stressed-out and the move will be slower so choose people you can trust to help plan it out.

Make sure you are not going for an extended period of time without some sort of functional office. You don’t want to be caught unprepared or worse, unable to handle an important order from a key customer. Before pulling the plug entirely on the old office, make sure you have at least some capacity at the new location.

Finally, perform your due diligence. Research the office mover before committing to work with them. Ask them to provide some references or tell them some of your concerns and how they can help mitigate them. It’s also a good idea to have someone from the company come to your office to assess the move and give you an idea of how long they think it will take.

Moving to a new home after years of being in the same residence can be a daunting task. You have probably accumulated tons of junk over the years, most of it sitting in your basement, garage or cupboards. When it comes time to move, instead of bringing all the clutter with you, take the opportunity to identify what you can let go of so that your new house can be as much of a fresh start as possible. See below for some tips on what to leave behind and how to get rid of it!

Clothing – Moving to a new home is a great opportunity to clear out some of your old clothes and figure out what you don’t need anymore. While we understand some articles might have sentimental value to you, there are many pieces that you haven’t worn in years but would get used a lot by someone else. Additionally, depending on the climate of the area you are moving to, you might not need some of the sweaters, mittens or hats you currently have. Depending on the brand name and condition, many of these items can be sold on eBay or Classified sites. However, if you want to avoid going through the trouble of listing them there are likely many charitable organizations in your area that will come pick them up and make sure they get to someone who needs them.

Papers/ documents – Try clearing out some of the old receipts or outdated documents that you no longer need. The last thing you want to do when moving to a new house it to bring all the old clutter with you. Obviously certain items like birth certificates, passports and marriage licenses need to stay – but for the less important things, try scanning them onto the computer. Storing them digitally takes up far less space and they are much easier to sort through.

Expired/Outdated items – Check your cabinets, garage and basement for outdated or expired products. For example, expired medicine, insect killer, batteries chemicals can all be dangerous to carry around the house. Expired medicine can be brought to many local pharmacies to be safely disposed of. As for batteries and chemicals like insect killer – check out the listings in your area for areas where you can dispose of chemical products. Keep in mind that certain products might not be necessary depending on where you are moving. If you are moving to a condominium, for example, you can look to sell your lawn mower on your local classified ads so you don’t have to incur the cost to move it.

Appliances – If your new home contains brand new appliances then there really is no point in bringing the old ones with out. As long as you didn’t include them in the sale of your existing house, these items are best sold or given away locally. Again, if you don’t wish to go through the trouble of listing the item then call one of your local charities and they would be happy to come pick it up at no charge and make sure it gets to people who need it.

Moving to a new home can be one of the most stressful situations you can find yourself in. In fact, it ranks among the top 5 most disrupting experiences according to multiple surveys. There is a lot involved during a move and a whole lot of things you will be busy with. From finding a new home, to hiring a removal service and packing everything you want to take with you.
During these stressful times you have to take into account one more thing: your cat and how difficult it will be for it as well. Cats are highly territorial; they get used to a place and bond with it. That and also the fact that cats are not huge fans of change means that your pet is going to have a stressful time dealing with the relocation.
In order to deal with the situation you have to keep certain things in mind. Make sure you follow the outlined suggestions below so that you go through this period with your pet without any worries.

– Preparation for the moving – if your kitty has never been in a carrier, chances are it will not be very happy about the perspective of moving in one. You need to introduce this item to your pet long before moving day arrives. To get the cat comfortable place the carrier near the bed or the food bowls. The more time you give your pet to get used to this strange object, the better. Start by placing the bowl of food near the carrier and every day work towards placing it closer and closer. When you feel the pet is ok with the carrier, place the bowl inside. That way your pet will think of the carrier as a safe zone and will a lot better inside during the removal.

– Introduce your cat to boxes and other packing materials – the process of moving house involves a great deal of packing in boxes and other containers. Imagine how much stress your cat will experience when the house is literally filled with great number of those all of a sudden. What you have to do is introduce those to your pet early. Allow your cat to explore them, to play with them, to get comfortable around them. This will reduce its anxiety and not alter its behavior.

– Do not change the routine of your cat – maintain the same feeding and play times. Doing otherwise will result in your cat feeling anxious and stressed a lot. It may be difficult for you, with all of the packing and crossing things off your moving checklist, but you should try to spend more time with your pet. It is only by offering care and reassurance that your kitty will feel secure and fine with the whole process.

– Limit wandering on moving day – when the moving van arrives at your front door you will want to keep your cat out of the commotion of loading boxes and walking in and out all the time. For this reason you will do well to keep your cat closed in a room and visit there from time to time to show your pet you are still there. Do not leave your kitty ignored for too long and when the time comes to move make sure you are gentle and careful with the carrier.

– Arriving at the new place – once you arrive, the first thing you have to do is set a home base area for your cat. This means a single room where you will keep the pet while it gets used to the new environment. The best way to go about moving is to gradually introduce the new home to your cat. Let the animal explore one bit at a time and always be there to help it get used. If yours was an outdoor cat previously, you should try to keep it inside now, as the new neighborhood can be stressful and way too unfamiliar.

Moving with a cat is a challenge that you have to be prepared to face. For the sake of your loving cat, make sure you understand the outlined suggestions and implement them during the removal process for a truly stress-free experience. For more tips: Removal Van Services in Acton

Moving, whether it’s to another house in the same city or across the country will pose its own unique brand of challenges that we all must face. Between the decisions to hire movers, rent a U-Haul, how much time is needed to drive across the country, and how much insurance is required, one can find themselves hard-pressed to have much mental energy left! So it’s no wonder that one group in particular finds themselves in quite a bind when attempting to move: pregnant women. Pregnancy is a fantastic feature of life but there’s often one thing that doesn’t go well with pregnancy: moving. To move effectively while pregnant, depends on where you’re moving to and how much you have budgeted to move.

Moving out of State

If you’re moving out of state, your best probable option is to hire a professional moving company, and here’s why: Traveling in excess of several hundred miles often requires an overnight stay at a hotel while on the road. This means you have to check the transport vehicle you’re using to inspect that your items remains carefully packaged and to ensure that they remain safe while on the road. Pregnancy can make the long road-trip a nightmare when you consider how often you’ll need to stop for pee breaks and how difficult it will be to navigate a several ton vehicle in heavy city traffic. Not to mention the physical stresses of climbing into and out of the bed of the truck to check on your items as you move. Plus, consider the challenges of packing itself. Moving out of state requires you to have everything packed in one trip, meaning that you must consider space allocation and devote serval days to moving heavy items. To avoid physical injury, a professional moving crew is highly recommended to you keep yourself and your baby-to-be healthy, happy, and sane.

Moving in State

Moving in state might mean you can do the move yourself, but it depends on the amount you intend to move and the distance you are traveling. For those with a large amount of items to move, especially when you are in the second and third trimesters, a professional mover is still highly recommended. Not only will lifting become more challenging as you progress through the pregnancy, but it will also become more dangerous. It’s best to leave moving of large items to the professionals. So what about moving short distances in town? If you’re just moving a relatively short distance, you have an advantage. These moves can be done in several small trips and don’t require the same intense loading and unloading of a long-distance move. Additionally, the short travel distance is more accommodating to the need for frequent trips to the restroom.

As these small trips in town, you can do a larger percentage of the moving, as long as you remember to keep it confined to the smaller items. It’s common for pregnant women to feel as though they are being confined to less-important work, but the most important thing you can do is to keep your health up and to delegate responsibilities while moving. It’s ok for you to take the smaller items and to let your friends or local workers carry the heavier items. If possible, keep the items you carry to less than ten pounds, and try not to lift items that are directly on the floor. It’s best to minimize bending down to reduce stress on your back. Also remember to take frequent breaks. Moving can be a physically demanding task, and if you being to feel light headed you should be sure to sit down and rest while increasing your liquid intake. Finally, enjoy your move! With each new move in life you explore new possibilities and hopefully you will love your new location!