Elephant Moving and Storage - Austin, Houston and San Antonio Texas Movers Blog » Packing

Help Austin achieve its “zero waste” goal!

Elephant Movers — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:53:14 +0000

The city of Austin has approved a “zero waste plan” (Read the approved Zero Waste Plan); the goal is to reduce the amount of waste Austinites send to landfills by 90% by the year 2040. In order to reach this goal Austin needs everyone to pitch in and help us become a zero waste community. Elephant Moving and Storage is the first Austin moving company to offer our customers a “plastic moving crate rental” program to encourage our friends and customers in Austin to reduce their waste. These plastic moving crates are an earth friendly alternative to the traditional method of packing in cardboard boxes. If you are moving locally in the Austin metro area Elephant Moving offers free drop off and pick up. Using the crates means you do not produce any waste from cardboard with your move and the crates will be used by more families and businesses that are planning an Austin move. So take action and help reduce Austin moving waste – use reusable moving crates instead of cardboard on you next move.

Place an order for earth friendly packing crate rental!

Get your local or cross country Austin moving quote now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Try Our Plastic Crates to Simplify Your Move

Elephant Movers — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:46:54 +0000

Are you moving locally in the Austin area? Elephant Moving & Storage is pleased to announce our new plastic crate program. It’s a cheaper and more environmentally friendly approach to packing than the traditional cardboard box route!

Our plastic crates allow you to pack up your whole house without spending a fortune on cardboard boxes or wasting tons of time scrounging for free used boxes around town. The plastic crates can be rented in groups of 25 for a flat price that includes 2 full weeks (14 days) – this price includes delivery and pickup. Unexpected delay? Donâ€™t worry! You can add an extra week for cheap! There is a small additional charge if we have to carry the crates up stairs, enter an elevator or load them into your place, not just the garage. Add some packing paper or bubble wrap for your fragile items and/or wardrobe box rentals for your hanging clothes and you are ready to pack up your place.

The best part: you won’t be drowning in a sea of cardboard once you unpack! Clean, efficient and environmetally responsible – what could be better?!

Depending on the size of your move there may even be a free or discount crate offer that applies to your move! Call us today for more information and stay tuned for additions to our website for ordering crates and learning more about this convenient and earth friendly program.

Get your local Austin moving estimate or interstate moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Does Everything Need to be Packed…?

Elephant Movers — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:11:27 +0000

We know packing is hard work. At Elephant Moving & Storage we make every effort to keep moving simple and as easy as possible, as well as most cost effective for our customers. For local moves we have a number of systems at work in our trucks that assist in keeping costs down and packing to a minimum. All small items (clothing, shoes, dishes, books, knick knacks, etc) should be boxed to ensure they are protected while they are being relocated. However, certain items, such as TVs, mirrors, glass tops, glass shelves, framed pictures, small electronics, computer components, and lamps can remain unpacked. Our trucks are all equipped with special bins that allow our crews to take care of these items without the bother and expense of packing them.

Flat items such as pictures, mirrors, glass or stone tops and flat tvs are placed in the long narrow picture bin after being wrapped in heavy duty quilted blankets. The bin is then padded with more blankets to ensure the items do not shift while in transit. All of the items in this bin ride on their side or edge, so nothing is stacked on them and they are well protected.

Bulkier items such as small electronics, computer components and lamps are placed in a commercial bin, which is similar to the picture bin but wider. All items are individually wrapped in quilted blankets prior to being placed in the bin, and then the bin is padded with more pads to ensure the items are secure and can not move around.

For larger flat panel TVs we can provide a custom made wood and foam crate that is similar to our picture bins but sturdier. All of these bins and crates are provided free of charge for use on local moves. This saves quite a lot of money for our customers because these types of items usually require a lot of packing material. Simply inform our office that you have items of these types so that they can note it on the order for service. All trucks are equipped with a picture bin that can hold up to 7 pictures/mirrors and one to two commercial bins. If you have a lot of these items or have a large flat panel TV then the office will need to make sure the movers know to bring additional bins/crates.

For cross country moves these items will need to be packed, but ask your salesperson about the option to purchase cardboard bins – this may end up costing less than individual boxes.

Get your local or cross country residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #9

Elephant Movers — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:59:46 +0000

Tip #9:
Use your luggage
Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods. Even for local Austin moves you will be able to quickly spot your green suitcase holding your favorite sweaters, whereas “Box #97″ might remain elusive for days. Avoid packing books or heavy items in large suitcases, as these can be extremely difficult to move and may damage the luggage. Also avoid packing dishes or fragile items in suitcases or duffel bags, as luggage generally does not offer the same protection as boxes specifically designed for china and other delicate items. Be sure your Austin moving company knows that your inventory list will include suitcases and/or duffel bags. For local moves this may add to the time your move takes, and for interstate moves it will increase the weight or volume of your shipment. Either way, you want to be sure your estimate is as accurate as possible by providing your mover with the best information prior to your move.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #7

Elephant Movers — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:43:36 +0000

Tip #7:
Pack ahead
Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. Pack seldom used or out of season items early to avoid being rushed at the last minute. If it is summer, get your winter clothing and coats out of the way. You don’t really need 5 radios or TVs around your house for the last few days there. Box up your shampoo and extra toothpaste and live out of a travel cosmetic case for the last week or two. Pare down dishes, cooking utensils and food supplies to bare essentials. Wastebaskets can also be packed (put things in them!) while you switch to using plastic grocery bags (hang them on a cabinet door or door handle to collect trash.) The more you get done well in advance of your moversâ€™ arrival, the less overwhelmed you will feel as move day approaches. If move day arrives faster than you realized and you are not quite done packing, donâ€™t panic! Be sure to let your Austin moving company know the day before your move that you could use some last minute supplies and packing help. The small extra expense will be well worth it as you calmly watch the movers finish the packing instead of frantically running around dodging furniture as you throw things haphazardly into boxes on move day.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #6

Elephant Movers — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:49:47 +0000

Tip #6:
Keep things together
Insist on keeping things together when you or your Austin moving company are packing boxes. Keep bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with appliances. Small, loose parts can be attached to the item they belong to with tape or placed in small bags or envelopes (to keep picture hooks with pictures, shelf brackets with a bookcase, a special wrench and bolts with the wall unit, etc). Keep larger corresponding items (such as a cable TV cord or remotes) in ziplock bags, and tape these to the underside or back of the item. Alternatively, keep a “Parts Box” open on the kitchen counter and fill it with cables, cords, parts, pieces, brackets, or nails that are removed from any items of furniture. It is a good idea to label the pieces so you remember what hardware goes with which item. Keep this parts box with you or label and mark it well with a rainbow of colored stickers so it can be easily located on move-in day!

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #4

Elephant Movers — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:55:01 +0000

Tip #4:
Strategize wardrobe box use
Your friends at Elephant Moving Company will be happy to deliver moving boxes and packing supplies ahead of your moving day. If you are packing yourself, get things organized as early as possible. A few days before your move, fill some sturdy handled shopping bags with bulky closet items such as shoes, sweaters, belts, and jeans. On moving day, fill the bottom of the tall wardrobe boxes with some of the shopping bags then add your hanging clothing. Pack hanging items tightly so things won’t move around and fall off of hangers. Cover the shoulders of your clothes (a dry cleaning bag works well), then add a few purses or sweaters on top. You will have fewer boxes, and your closet items will remain together for easy unpacking and organizing. The shopping bags are not necessary, but they will make it easier to retrieve your belongings from the bottoms of a tall wardrobe box.
If your move is a local Austin move, we also offer wardrobe box rental for the day. Your movers will bring the boxes with them on move day, and will place your hanging clothes in the boxes. You can even leave some cushions, bedding, shoes or bags unpacked for them to use as filler for the bottom of the wardrobes. When the movers arrive at your new place the wardrobe boxes will be emptied and carted off without you ever lifting a finger!

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #3

Elephant Movers — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:50:38 +0000

Tip #3:
Utilize wardrobe boxes
Your Austin moving company has found a lot of ways to maximize wardrobe box use. These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Our standard wardrobe boxes are 24 inches wide â€“ so 2 feet of your hanging clothes will fit in each box. Measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you will need. You can also use wardrobe boxes for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes. Wardrobe boxes work great for securing odd miscellaneous items you are unable to fit in other boxes for interstate moving (i.e. vacuums, ironing boards, brooms and mops, non-fragile lamps, fans, space heaters, folding chairs, etc). Just don’t make the boxes too heavy to lift! Wardrobe boxes are not meant for books, bricks, bowling balls, dishes, or other small, heavy items that can easily be packed in smaller boxes.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #2

Elephant Movers — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:15:57 +0000

Tip #2:
Have plenty of supplies
Don’t make us say this twiceâ€”you will need LOTS of boxesâ€”probably more boxes than you ever imagined, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy your boxes from us here at your local Austin moving company keep in mind that we offer free delivery! No hauling or schlepping â€“ we do the heavy lifting for you.)
Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You will need strong packing tape to close up the boxes securely (and please donâ€™t forget to tape the bottoms of the boxes, too!). Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion your fragile household goods. Use paper to fill in any spaces left in your boxes so they do not crush when stacked in the moving truck. Again, you will need lots more supplies than you think, so get some extras so the packing can go smoothly. Simply return any unused supplies after the truck is packed (we donâ€™t charge you for what you donâ€™t use!).
If you are moving out of state remember that everything must be packed in boxes â€“ unlike a local Austin move, nothing can go loose. If you are unsure how to pack something just ask us; weâ€™ve packed it all before and can offer a lot of useful packing tips and tricks!

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #1

Elephant Movers — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:50:52 +0000

Your friends at Elephant Moving & Storage know that moving may not be the most fun you’ve ever had, but planning ahead will go a long way toward making the process bearable. Leaving everything until the last minute will only stress you out. A little preparation will help make you feel better about your local Austin move or interstate move. Nothing is worse than the feeling of helplessness that will overcome you if you schedule a move and are completely unprepared when the movers show up. Following are some simple tips and tricks to help you make the most of your moving experience, whether your move is a local Austin move or a cross country long distance move. And of course you can always contact our friendly office staff for additional suggestions or to ask specific questions about your move. We’re here to help!

Tip #1:
Make a list
Write everything down! Trust us, you will thank yourself later (like when your 8 year old is inconsolable and wants only his spiderman jammies…). Before you pack even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound notebook for the job. Place a number on EVERY box you pack and specify the contents on your list. Don’t put the list down unless it is in a place you will call Packing Central. This is where you can find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific — “A-D files” is better than “files”, and “flower dishes” better than “misc. kitchen”. The more specific you are, the less you will have to dig for necessary items later on.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!