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Top 3 Cleaning Hacks For Your North Texas Home

home cleaning

Are you feeling as if your home needs a little deeper cleaning than normal? We at Zippy Shell live and work in the North Texas community, so we understand the challenges our environment brings to keeping your home spic and span.

Hack 1 – Clean ceiling fans without the dust shower: Ceiling fans are an integral part of any Texas home, thanks to our famous heat! Most of us have dusted the fans only to find our floors and maybe ourselves covered in a shower of dust. However, if you take an old pillow case, spray a little furniture polish inside and then run the pillow case up and down the fan blade, all that gross stuff is trapped.

Hack 2 – Clean your blinds in a jiffy: Blinds can be a real pain to clean. Use an old sock, dip it a mixture of water and vinegar and run it over the blind or slats. Pro tip: If you or a loved one are sensitive to chemicals, this is also a great way to use less cleaning solutions in the home.

Hack 3 – Make those stainless-steel appliances shine: Many North Texas homes include stainless steel appliances. We can certainly see the allure, but we also don’t like the finger prints that are usually par for the course. Use a little dish soap and water on a very soft cloth to clean the appliance and then follow with olive oil or mineral oil to make it shine.

Hack 4 – Eliminate garbage disposal smell: We’ve heard of using lemons in your garbage disposal, but recently saw a great idea we wanted to pass along to our North Texas neighbors – rosemary lemons cubes. Put some chopped citrus peels and rosemary in each ice cube tray and then fill with white vinegar. Freeze them and then when you are ready to freshen up the disposal, just pop one in. Brilliant!

As part of the community, the Zippy Shell North Texas location stands ready to help you with all your moving and storage solutions (and a few cleaning hacks, too).

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Tips for Moving to Philadelphia, PA with Kids

moving with kids

Philadelphia, PA is a great city with a lot to see and do for families with kids. If you are moving to Philadelphia, there a few ways to make it easier on the kids before, during and after your relocation.

Involve your kids early in the process: This is especially important if you are moving from one type of area to another. For example, if you live in a rural area or a suburb but are moving to one of the urban Philadelphia neighborhoods, help them understand the differences.

Show them what they can look forward to: Philadelphia is a grand city! Show them videos of what they can expect to see and do in Philadelphia. VisitPhilly.com has a lot of great things listed and the Mommy Poppins blog is specifically geared to kids in Philadelphia. You can check it out here.

Make room for their loved stuff: One of the best things about using portable storage units is that you can moving and keep your things in secure storage until you need them! This offers you and your family time to decompress with what you need in the new home and then have the rest of your things delivered to you when you are ready. Your kids can have their beloved objects in the home now and you can have other items delivered later.

Stick to a routine: ChildMind.org suggests keeping your kids on a regular routine after you are in the new home. You may have a big desire to push ahead with unpacking, having your storage unit delivered, etc. but it might be better to keep the kids on an established schedule.

Moving with kids doesn’t have to be stressful and we are here to help at the Philadelphia Zippy Shell location with the flexible moving and storage solutions you need. It’s one less thing to worry about during a move.

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3 Problems with Moving Van Rentals

Moving boxes

You’ve heard a thousand times that moving is one of the top ten stressful events during a lifetime. The team at Zippy Shell knows all too well how hectic moving across the street, across town or across the country can be for families. To help ease the burden of decisions that come along with this time of your life, we want to take a look at one of the major decisions: moving van rentals vs portable moving containers. Below are several of the most common difficulties with moving truck rentals. We hope this outline will help to make the decision easier.

Aggravation when you have reached your limit. They say prepare for the worst and hope for the best, but it’s hot outside! Your help is probably late. The dog just got out. And you’re just plain irritated. Only thing that can add insult to injury is going to be problems with your moving truck. You’ll need to factor in a useless reservation number, a hike in price when you go to pick it up, sad fuel mileage, uncertain safety, and being unaccustomed to driving this large vehicle and more. At any other time, these mounting issues might be easier to deal with, but when you’re moving mole hills are mountains. You’re fussing, tired, anxious and probably sweating. Your stress level has peaked. And the setbacks with the moving truck could very well be what sends you to the moon.

“Sorry, we’re all out.” Surely, you’ve heard that tale of horror. You get to the rental place and guess what? Your moving van has been rented to someone else, or better yet, they can’t find your reservation. Just like the friendly skies, moving companies will often over book during a busy time of year to ensure they are maxed out. Fortunately, lawsuits have stopped this practice for the most part, but there’s nothing stopping John Doe from returning his truck, which happens to be your truck, late (or not until the next day)!

Changes in rates. This is probably the most important warning of all. Sure, you see those promotional rates for moving trucks stamped all over billboards, flyers and bus benches. However, they fail to mention the added fees like mileage, fuel, hitches, weekends, etc. And my goodness, for those out-of-town moves, the rates can jump even more during peak moving periods (the beginning and end of the month and the whole summer). Moving vans/trucks simply cost more to rent.

We invite you to compare Zippy Shell to moving truck rentals. We think our portable storage and moving containers offer tons of flexibility with a predictable cost that will leave you with a lot less stress. No move is going to be perfectly stress free, but when it comes to the big decisions, make the smart one.

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Easter Brunch Tips

Easter can be a stressful day to prepare for, so use these tips to enjoy the holiday brunch as best as possible!

Drinks

Start off brunch with some yummy cocktails for the adults.  A couple Easter favorites include:

  • 1-part Jack Honey and 1-part grapefruit juice
  • Wine spritzer filled with 1-part chilled wine, and 1-part club soda then top it with any fruit of your choice
  • Classic mimosa with 2 parts orange juice, 2 parts champagne, and 1-part triple sec (use a different fruit juice if you want to mix up the flavor from an original mimosa)
  • Kid-friendly peachy juice: 2 grapefruits, one slice of melon, and one peach all blended until smooth

Brunch

Easter brunch naturally must include eggs in the meal!

  • Eggs in a basket: Cut out a hole in a piece of bread and fry an egg in the middle of it on a pan.  Sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and or cheese.
  • Breakfast potatoes: Dice your potatoes and cook them in a tablespoon of olive oil on an iron skillet.  Once they are nice and golden brown, add finely chopped bacon.  After this cooks as well, top it off with a clove of garlic and parsley.
  • Ham muffins: Insert individual slices of ham into a muffin tray.  Fill the ham with a single egg, topped with salt, pepper, and chives.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 8-10 minutes.
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The Best Tips for Packing Electronics for Long-term Storage

Labeling

When it comes to electronics, the cables and wires that go with each electronic item may get confusing. Label each of these with their corresponding piece to make assembling easier when you are ready to take them out of storage.

Dismantle

Take apart your electronics when needed for safe transportation/storage. Electronics with big battery packs or multiple pieces should be disassembled. This will prevent the possibility of the battery leaking or the pieces being damaged.

Back up your information

If you are storing important items such as a computer, phone, etc. make sure you have all the information within these items that you need. Also, be sure to back up any documents that you may need before you remove the item from storage.

Cushion

To ensure your items do not bump or scratch against each other or the storage container, cushion your electronics with packing material. This can include towels, socks, bubble wrap, packing paper, and more, as long as it is something soft yet protective.

Use climate-controlled storage

Luckily for you, Zippy Shell offers secure climate-controlled storage! We have excellent storage centers that can safely store you items and seal out any dust and hot or cold air. Get a quote today!

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How to Make Moving Less Stressful

zippy shell moving

Moving is routinely cited as one of the most stressful life events, right up there with divorce, death of a loved one, financial problems, chronic illness and marriage. Fortunately, though, unlike many of life’s other stressors, with a little forethought and planning, you can remove a lot of the stress surrounding a relocation by following these tips.

Remember how to assemble stuff: If your furniture or other knick-knacks are disassembled for packing, will you recall how to reassemble them at your new location? Take pictures of the furniture so you have an idea of what goes where. As you disassemble, put the parts into zip loc bags and label them.  (You’ll thank us later for this one.) 

Organize your boxes and label them: As you pack your container, put the things you will need first to the outside and the things you will need last to the inside. Also consider color coding with markers or tape where the boxes go. For example, blue markers could mean for the bathrooms and green for outside or in the garage.

Think About Your Electronics: If you are like most people, you have all sorts of electronic equipment that fits together in a bundle of crazy wiring! Take videos or pictures here, too, of the backs so you will know that component plugs in where. Better yet, color code the wires with Velcro.

Make a Checklist for Each Move Event: Checklists are lifesavers when it comes to moving! Using them means reducing stress. Rather than trying to capture everything into one checklist, consider a checklist for each leg of the move. For example, consider a checklist for each family member to use when packing (how to label boxes, how to prioritize boxes, how to pack valuables or glass), a checklist for cleaning, or even a checklist for walking through the house to ensure you didn’t forget anything.

There are enough stressors in life without moving having to be one of them. A little pre-planning and help from trusted partners, like Zippy Shell, can mean the difference between a stress-free move and a nightmare of a move.

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Uncover Some Moving Costs Hidden in the Fine Print

Whether it’s local or long distance, your number one concern when considering a move is going to be the cost. Most people want to weigh the services of a professional moving company against doing things yourself. There are lots of places you can get a free online moving quote, and although these numbers are a good first step, you may find that some of them leave out fees and surcharges that are buried in the fine print. Little fees can add up to a huge difference in your bottom-line budget and send your blood pressure through the roof!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing your moving budget:

Don’t forget the tape!

It’s probably the most common thing people forget to add to their moving budget. Determining how much packing material you will need can be difficult. There’s tape, plastic wrap, boxes, markers, packing peanuts and paper, blankets and more. You don’t want to run out, but how much is too much? Remember to include this expense on your moving spreadsheet!

You don’t know it all – Include a professional in your plans.

We’re guessing you are not a moving professional, but it might be a really good idea to invite one into your home. Sure, you can mention to a moving rep how many rooms you need to pack, or you can key that number into an online service, but it’s a guess at best. To get a better idea of cost, you may want to consider making an appointment with a professional mover to more accurately account for your belongings.

Stuff they don’t tell you about expenses on the road.

Did you know that moving companies charge for mileage, fuel, tolls, and even windshield wipers? Well, many do. You need to ask what you may be responsible for as your belongings make their way across town or across the country.

Get a Zippy Shell Moving Quote today!

Zippy Shell makes moving simple and affordable. Get your free moving quote today by visiting www.zippyshell.com today!

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5 Ways to Ramp Up the Curb Appeal of Your North Texas Home

Whether you are getting ready to put your North Texas home on the market or are simply looking for ways to make it look fresh and cheery for spring, now is a great time to tackle a few outside-the-home projects.

Spruce Up the Landscaping with Color Mulch: This is an easy one. Your local big box home store or locally-owned nursery probably is already bursting with fresh annuals and greenery. Take time to update/upgrade your beds or adding a couple of well-placed planters or window boxes. North Texas is blessed with amazing year-round weather. Think about upgrading to some perennials so they come back year after year.

Update Your Mailbox: Often, the mailbox is the last thing we think about, yet it’s one of the first things someone sees! Consider installing a new mailbox or painting the old one so it looks clean and new.

Clean Up: Do you have leaves in your gutters? Visible trashcans? Toys strewn about the lawn? Dirty fencing? Sometimes simply picking up the clutter and trash around the front area can make all the difference. If you have excess toys or outdoor furniture you no longer use, consider storing that until you need it.

Repair It: Easy spruce ups also include repairing or replacing torn window screens, touching up peeling trim around front windows and doors and even replacing bulbs.

Paint It: What about that front door? A fresh new color can take a ho-hum curb appeal house to a wow house! Ask your paint experts about best colors to match your existing exterior and trim colors. Be sure to choose paints that will stand up to the North Texas heat.

You don’t have to break the bank this spring to update the curb appeal of your home! Just a few simple changes can make a dramatic difference.

Looking for some extra storage space to clean up the outside of your home? Zippy Shell of North Texas has onsite and portable storage solutions perfect for the job! You can learn more by visiting www.zippyshell.com today!

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Why Do Moving Quotes Vary?

document signing

Are you in the research and quote stage of finding the perfect and most cost-effective way to move and/or store your stuff? We get it! It can be confusing when trying to compare apples to apples when there are so many choices. We asked our team of experts to offer a primer on why moving quotes vary and what goes into giving you the most accurate quote.

Who is packing? One of the biggest variables is whether you will be packing your contents and loading the container or if you are looking for help to do so. Zippy Shell partners with a variety of trustworthy companies to help you with your packing and loading; however, this is an additional cost.

How much does your stuff weigh? The weight of your belongings can influence your moving cost, too. Many full-service long-distance movers will quote based on a certain weight, but the actual costs or extra fuel will be impacted by additional weight. Be sure to read the contract carefully and ask your account manager about overage policies and fuel policies, especially if you are choosing a full-service company.

What is the distance between the old location and the new location? Zippy Shell offers the added option of storing your stuff in one of our secure warehouses in between your destination, but distance still matters for all movers. When you are asking for a quote, know that your representative will need specific zip codes and addresses to provide the most accurate quote. The larger the distance, the higher the quote.

In summary, we are often asked why we can’t simply offer quotes via chat or other digital avenues. The answer is there are several key variables and even private information required to give you the most accurate quote. These variables can make a big difference in the quote and the execution of the move. Customer service is our number one priority and we want your move to be flawless!

Get your free moving quote from Zippy Shell! Visit www.zippyshell.com today to get your free moving quote!

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5 Tips for deciding what furniture to move or donate

Whether you are upgrading or downsizing, you most likely will not want to keep all of your old furniture. There is certain furniture that just doesn’t work for you anymore, but it could work for someone else! So how do you decide what to move with you or donate? Follow these easy tricks to help you get the job done!

Size

This is the easiest factor to immediately decide if you are even capable of moving a piece of furniture with you. Get the dimensions of the rooms you want to fill and determine which furniture will actually fit!

Decor

Depending how important style is to you, this may be a make or break decision for you. Compare the trims and colors of your walls to see if the furniture you own would work in that room, with a little bit of paint if necessary. If not, donate it.

Lifestyle

Be honest with yourself about where you are in your life. If you are ready to purchase a bigger bedframe and don’t have a spare room to put that old bedframe, it may be time to donate it.

Needs vs. wants

Do you really need new furniture, or do you just want new furniture? This is a classic problem many people face when moving. Often the answer is they just want new furniture.

Priorities

Sometimes finalizing your budget can help you decide which furniture you must buy first, and what can wait to be added as decor later on once you get settled in.

Once you decide what furniture you want to move with you, have Zippy Shell help move it for you! We will safely deliver all of you items from your previous location to your new location with no worries!