CTR Organizing Team

There are times in which we have to store large items. We may not have room for them in our homes, storage sheds, and garages. That means it is time to rent public storage space or to somehow make some room. It can seem like such an incredible feat. Actually, it can seem like an impossible feat. That is why you have to be rather methodical in how you go about this endeavor.

Before you even write down your checklist, you have to make sure you have help if you need it so that you can customize your checklist the way you need to. How you construct your list depends on what you’re moving and what your particular situation is. Just make sure that you have everything covered and that you abide by your checklist so that you can avoid as many obstacles as possible.

So here is your checklist: – Whether you’re storing your large items somewhere on your property or elsewhere, you need to measure them. This is so you can make sure you leave enough storage room.

- You also need to get an idea of the weight so that you know how many people it will take to move the items and what tools you will need to make the move. It may be something that needs a dolly or another type of cart to move it.

- Clear out the space that you need to store the item. This can be a great opportunity to throw away those things that you don’t need anymore.

- Once you have cleared out a space or you have rented a public or self storage space, it is time to make the move.

- If you must use a truck, make sure you have a ramp that you can use or some sort of hydraulic lift to get the large items in the truck. If you don’t have a truck of your own, you can rent one.

- After you have loaded the items in the truck, it is then time to make your move. Once you get to your destination, you have to be very careful unloading the items.

- If you’re storing the items on your property, make sure you clear out a path between where the items are and the place in which you’re storing them. This is so you don’t hit any unexpected bumps and so that no one trips.

- Once you have your large item to its destination, you can then cover it with a furniture pad or a sheet. This is so dust and other harmful elements that may be present don’t become an issue. Storage buildings are climate controlled now, but if dust is a concern, you can still cover your items.

In the meantime, make sure you take safety into account. Look into back supports so that you don’t hurt yourself when lifting. If you’re using a dolly, a palate jack, or another sort of cart, make sure all the parts are working so that you don’t find yourself in a dangerous situation. You also want to make sure you use straps where appropriate. Many people are injured annually because of large items falling over onto them. If an item over 500 pounds falls onto a person, they can actually die of asphyxiation, so make sure everything is secure when it is in transit.

When you are finished following your checklist, you’ll be glad that you created it because it helps move things along seamlessly. In other words, a big job is made a lot easier.

Lets face it: stashed away in your house are things you dont want, dont need, and dont know what to do with. Just thinking about them makes you feel tired. Well, moving day is fast approaching, and its time to conquer the clutter monster once and for all. Sorting through everything you own prior to packing may seem like a daunting task, but doing it will improve your life so much youll wish youd done it long ago.

Decluttering your house results in a lot more than just the satisfaction of a job well done. Youll also be rewarded with less packing, a streamlined move, and peace of mind. Youll even find that you have more time for fun activities like dinner parties and family gatherings, because you wont have to devote so much energy to making your house look presentable.

Shred old receipts and other papers that no longer need to be kept on hand. Most documents only need to be retained for from one to three years, while a few, such as tax records, should be kept for up to seven years. Check with local and governmental agencies to find out how long each type of document should be kept on hand.

Dont wait till the last minute to get organized. Starting early will make the process less stressful and more productive. Plan to hold one large or several small yard sales to get unwanted items out of your way and recoup some of your moving costs.

Helping others is a powerful motivator. As you sort through your belongings, set aside items that can be donated to charities such as homeless shelters and other worthy causes.

Im willing to bet there are still some recipes, magazine clippings, etc., that survived the paper purging round. Use some of the proceeds from your yard sale to purchase a small scanner to scan them onto your computer. Rent an online locker if you dont have enough space on your hard drive, then take all those papers straight to your recycling container.

Life in your new, clutter-free home will be less stressful and require less maintenance. Make this your mantra to keep you going when things seem overwhelming. Youll be very glad you did.

Preparing for moving day is more than just packing; theres all that cleaning to do too! Here are some tricks to help make the process go more smoothly.

Note: Before using any of the following tips, be sure to do a spot test in an inconspicuous area to test for colorfastness.

Some of the most common scuffs and stains can be removed with everyday household items. Scuffmarks on wood can be removed with a pencil eraser. You can remove wax from carpets, floors or curtains by using an absorbent cloth and a hot iron on a low setting”the wax should stick to the cloth and peel away easily.

Toothpaste is great for removing ink and crayon from hard surfaces. Buff gently with a soft cloth, or apply the paste and let it sit for about an hour for really tough stains.

The most important thing to remember when washing walls is to start at the bottom, to avoid streaks. For textured walls, a nylon sock wont leave lint behind. Always test for colorfastness before applying cleaners. Paint spatters can be removed from most woodwork by gently rubbing them with brass cleaner. Lime scale, dried toothpaste and soap scum can be treated with an oxygen-based cleaning powder. These Oxi type cleaners can be found in almost any supermarket. Follow the directions on the package.-

Baking soda is your best friend when it comes to clearing out musty odors. Sprinkle on carpets, and place open boxes in cupboards and refrigerators. Leave the baking soda on carpets for an hour or two before vacuuming, or overnight for tougher odors. Activated charcoal will work just as well. Shake a couple of drops of vanilla oil or extract onto a handkerchief and let sit to impart a pleasant fragrance.

Very important: Do not mix any cleaning solutions or other chemicals with one another; serious injury can occur. Bleach and ammonia in particular must never be combined, as the mixture creates fumes that can be deadly. Also use caution when going back over areas that have already been cleaned; the use of different chemicals, in addition to being potentially dangerous, can also cause staining.