If you’re wondering how can you pack and move liquids, you’ve came to the right place. Handling liquids can be a messy work, especially when you’re trying to move them to another home. Broken vessels, spills, and other kinds of accidents may happen when you’re trying to work with liquids. There was even a study that tried to analyse why is handling liquids such a task. Specifically, why it’s so hard to walk with a cup of coffee without spilling it. It turns out that liquid handling is a highly involved science where many factors come into play. And the conclusion was that in order to walk with a cup of coffee successfully, you need to walk slowly, accelerate gradually, and watch your cup. Like scientists from the study, we are going to try to give you some advice on how to handle liquids while moving.
Don’t move large quantities of liquids at once
Don’t pack and move all liquids at once, especially if you’ll be moving a large amount of liquids. Try not to buy liquids as the moving day approaches, so you don’t have to move them all at the moving day. You should organize your home first, then organize the liquids you need to move. Most liquids are easy to replace, since most of them are quite cheap. Throw away liquids you don’t use, or simply donate them. Things like unopened cosmetics can be donated and they are very welcome in donation centers. Sometimes it is less expensive to buy new liquids, than having to deal with them while moving. So, pack and move as few liquids as you can, and don’t be afraid of throwing away things that are easily replaceable.
Many, if not most of the liquids should remain with you while on move. Moving tuck and storage container companies usually have a list of prohibited liquids they won’t move. Those are: aerosol cans, bleach, ammonia, nail polish, paint, lighter fluid, fertilizer, fire extinguishers, cleaning solvents, chemistry sets, fuels, oils, kerosene, pool chemicals, poisons, weed killer, propane tanks, rubbing alcohol and so on.
Potentially harmful liquids are always best disposed of than moved or shipped. You can even put them in a storage. If you need to relocate to Brooklyn and store your belongings there, liquids included, there are always companies that can do that for you. Try to dispose them whether you are moving them by yourself, or a moving company is doing that for you. You should consider what liquids you really need to move. Give away or dispose the liquids you don’t absolutely need.
Disposing of liquids
Dispose unwanted liquids carefully. Do not flush them in the toilet, or pour them down the drain. Don’t throw them down on the ground or into the sewers. Things like cosmetics, medication, other chemicals and cleaning products are especially dangerous for the environment. Contact your city, county or local waste management to find out how to dispose of unwanted liquids.
How to pack liquids
Packing is a big part of moving. This is especially true for liquids. If you are moving locally or to a nearby place, it is better to move those liquids yourself, especially if they’re from the list of prohibited liquids. But, if you are moving cross country, it is necessary to securely pack them so they don’t spill and ruin you other items.
- Use a plastic bin to transport chemical liquids. They are very dangerous and you don’t want to have them spilled. If they spill, for example, in a cardboard box, they will cause a bigger mess, potentially leaking through the box and ruining your or movers’ vehicle. They can spill on other items in the box, making them useless. You really don’t want that. Se be careful when handling chemicals, as they may cause many unwanted consequences. Remember that they are dangerous, and they can affect your health and well being.
- Surround bins with things like towels and sponges. If liquids spill, they can serve as another barrier between liquids and other items. They are a last line of defense against messes that liquids can cause. Make sure you surround them thoroughly and with care.
- Place the containers with liquids in resealable zipper storage bags. They can prevent messes if your liquids spill from the containers. Check all of them carefully and thoroughly. Check the containers first, make sure that they don’t have any holes on them, then check the storage bags, and make sure that they are properly sealed.
- Tighten the leads on every container and storage bag. You may even seal them with tape. As an extra measure, take of the top of the container, cover the opening with a plastic bag and seal the bag with a tape. After that, close the lid, tape it, then put it in a resealable zipper storage bag. Don’t forget rubber gloves when handling liquids. Especially if they’re chemicals.
- Set the sealed containers upright in the bin. Keep them as close together as possible, so they are not affected by the movement of the vehicle. Spills can ruin you other items, so make sure they are as tight as possible. You can even apply duct tape around them to make sure they are all upright.
- Label all containers and bins. Use permanent marker for labeling, and mark each container accordingly. Try separating different kinds of liquids as far as possible. There is a chance that the smell may pass from one to another. And separate chemicals one from another. Some chemicals can cause dangerous reactions. So read the compositions of the products. If you’re not sure what shouldn’t mix, put them as far as possible anyway. You don’t want to jeopardize someone’s health.
- If you need movers for your liquids in NYC, Capital City Movers NYC can do that professionally and with care for you.
Best moment of moving is unpacking as packing can be stressful. When you unpack you bin with liquids, open it carefully and on a protected surface. Use plastic wrap or something similar for the surface. You can do it outside, but be careful, some of the liquids may harm the environment. So it is best to use protective material whenever you open the containers. During the transportation, items can shift a tumble over. So consider that when you open them.
Consider what liquids you really need to move. Dispose or give away liquids you don’t need. There is a risk anytime you pack and move liquids that they’ll get tipped over. Pressure and temperature may also make changes and cause a spill. But as long as you take the necessary precautions, your items should remain fine. Don’t forget to move with care.