Moving with Used Boxes in Chicago – Commonly Asked Questions

I have previously mentioned in a post that utilizing used boxes for a move is a great idea to save on packing costs. You may have some questions in mind about this idea. Here are some commonly asked questions and corresponding answers:

• Is moving with used boxes okay? – Well, yes, it’s perfectly fine to use them for packing as long as you are sure that they are durable to use. Always test the boxes to make sure that they can actually handle the weight of your stuff. Check if there are any weak spots, especially with boxes from grocery stores, since products do leak at times and cause the box to deteriorate in quality. Additionally, make sure that you avoid over packing. Pack only what the box is supposed to carry.

• What do I do next if I don’t find any used boxes? – If you’ve tried your best to find used boxes but failed to do so, an alternative way is to save on costs of packing supplies is to ask for plastic tote bins from family and friends. It can work out well if you are going to stay in the same region or if there is a way you can return the bins after the move. Also, if you believe you will have to move a few more times in the future, you can opt to buy your own plastic tote bins. They are easy to store in between moves.

• Can a moving company provide boxes? – Usually, no. A moving company can sell you boxes but on rare occasions or promos, they can provide some free packing supplies. For instance, if you refer a friend or find the moving company online and site the source, they can give you a small incentive like some free packing materials. There are also some movers who can provide you plastic bins to rent for a short period. Green movers are great for suggesting environmentally friendly methods to save and reuse packing supplies.

• What should I do with the boxes once the move is done? – Good question! If you have free time, you can post an ad on an online or offline bulletin board or in local paper. You can offer the boxes free of charge and you’ll be surprised at the number of responses you’ll get. Or, you can also donate the boxes to an organization that could make good use of them. Charities which ship donations abroad can use durable boxes to move their items.

So, now that you have cleared your doubts about using used boxes, you can finally search for good-quality, sturdy ones and use them for your move. However, you can always purchase new boxes if you really want to make sure that you’ll be using only the best ones for your household goods.

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Tips for Moving Your Plants in Chicago

House plants make a home feel welcoming and alive. If you love greenery around your home, you probably keep plants as an important part of the household and you can’t part with them quite easily.

If you want to move your plants, you need to pay special care and attention. Spend some time to ponder if your plants can actually survive during the move and if they can’t, be sure to find a nice, new home for them.

There are some things you need to consider when you’re moving between states or countries. At times, plants are not allowed to move. For instance, those who plan to move from California to Canada may find that potted fruit trees are prohibited. In such cases, you can just leave your plants in someone else’s care.

Thus, before deciding to move your plants with you, determine which species are allowed in the new place or country. The last thing you would want to experience is to be forced to leave your precious plants with the border guard who may not be that environmentally friendly enough to take good care of your darlings.

Additionally, you should be aware that most moving companies do not provide coverage for damages to plants since these are just too fragile and are most likely to get damaged during transit. Furthermore, certain movers may even prohibit plants on their moving trucks. Make sure to ask the company if they have specific rules about moving plants.

Moving the plants yourself is another available option for you. Prepare sturdy, durable boxes, line them using plastic and put your plants inside. Between the box and the pot, stuff some foam cushioning or bubble wrap to ensure that your plant stays put and does not shift during the move. Position them in your car’s back seat; taller plants should be placed on the floor. By moving them yourself, you can have a better peace of mind since you can keep watch on them. If you’re going to stay overnight in a motel, be sure to check the weather since cold temperature can cause damages to your fragile plants. Just move them indoors along with you.

Planning is essential in every moving process and if you’ve done it right, you should have sufficient time to repot and transfer your plants into plastic containers. Don’t forget that plants require some time to adjust and heal from re-potting so be sure to do it a few weeks before the move. Bag tall plants or wrap them in plastic. Poke a few holes in the plastic so your plants can be allowed to breathe.

If you’re planning to move a few of your outdoor plants but you want to avoid depleting the new owner’s garden, it would be good to take some cuttings. Buy floral tubes, put some water, and then cap them. Through this, your cuttings can reach your new home safely and ready for your new garden.

Once you reach your new place, remove the plastic from your plants immediately. Take them out of the boxes and provide them with some plant food and water. Wait for at least a week to put them back to their original pots, if you had repotted them to plastic containers. Be careful and patient as your plants could die or suffer from stunted growth if distressed.

Observe those new plants that you plant in your new garden. Check if their health is affected by differences in air quality, soil and climate. If you experience any problems with their growth, call in some help from an expert.

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Some Green Moving Tips to Use During Your Move

Moving companies in Chicago tend to use a lot of resources to get a move done. Although New City Moving offers such things as packing materials to our customers, we also encourage green moving practices to help with the environment.

It is our environment that sustains our lives and it is important that Chicago movers and anyone involved in the moving process respect that fact. If we are not kind to the environment, it will not be kind to us. Pollutants can overwhelm our lives and make us ill, shortening our life spans.

So how can you work in conjunction with New City Moving to make the environment a much better place?

First, you want sturdy boxes, but used boxes can be okay.

Second, try to pack as much as you can in a single box without making it too heavy. Making it too heavy can cause it to collapse, thus damaging your belongings. This can also cause injury.

You can utilize one of our many Chicago moving services, such as packing. We can pack a lot in as few boxes as possible in order to save on waste.

Third, you can donate items to charity instead of throwing them in the trash and contributing to landfill waste.

Fourth, call the local waste management facility and ask them about ways to dispose of toxic or harmful materials such as car batteries. Disposing of them properly means being kind to the environment.

Fifth, save electricity by not leaving unnecessary lights on in your new place or your old place.

There are plenty of ways that you and your Chicago movers can help the environment. Once you are moved in to your new home, you can try such acts as conserving water, conserving electricity, and recycling to keep on making the environment a better place.

Tags: Going Green
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