172524 612 House & Garden Home Organizing & Storage Mail true Sat, 25 Apr 2009 04:04:55 -0700 /system/videos/2/24/25/17/172524.flv house, home, business, mailing, post, office, packaging, mail, sending, shipping How To Mail Packages http://www.howcast.com/videos/172524-How-To-Mail-Packages http://www.howcast.com/videos/172524-How-To-Mail-Packages/edit approved 153 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=172524"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=172524" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 7 vinzfeller http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/mail_packages_master_hd-640x360_nobug_h264_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg 882 false false false 66607 1 24 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/24.jpg Use a sturdy box Don’t try to get away with an old shoebox or disposable-diaper carton. The U.S. Postal Service recommends a double- corrugated box.

]]> 66608 2 34 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/34.jpg Protect the contents Wrap fragile items in newspaper, bubble wrap, or other packaging. If you’re shipping clothes, wrap them in heavy-duty plastic in case the packaging gets wet.

]]> 66609 3 43 Tip Plain, air-popped popcorn is an environmentally friendly substitute for Styrofoam packing peanuts.

]]> 66610 4 50 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/50.jpg Put the address inside and out Tuck the name and address of the recipient inside the package in case something happens to the mailing label.

]]> 66611 5 56 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/56.jpg Remove batteries If you’re sending something with batteries, pack them separately so that the item doesn’t switch on in transit.

]]> 66612 6 64 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/64.jpg Use the right tape Secure the package with 2-inch-wide packing tape, which is specifically made for shipping. Regular tape and masking tape are not durable enough.

]]> 66613 7 73 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/73.jpg Be clear Write the recipient’s address legibly and include the zip code. If you’re unsure of it, look it up at usps.com. Include your return address.

]]> 66614 8 83 Tip An incorrect zip code will delay your package longer than no zip code at all.

]]> 66615 9 89 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/89.jpg Select a delivery method Select a delivery method. The fastest option is Express, followed by Priority. The cheapest, but slowest, domestic option is ground delivery, known as Parcel Post. You can also choose Priority flat-rate shipping, where one fee is charged for whatever you can fit into one of four specially sized boxes.

]]> 66616 10 108 Tip Packages that are 13 ounces or less can be put in any mailbox, as long as they fit and have the correct postage.

]]> 66617 11 115 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/115.jpg Consider purchasing insurance Consider buying insurance. If you’re insuring your package for less than $500, you can do it at usps.com. You also can use the site to calculate and download postage.

]]> 66618 12 126 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/172524/126.jpg Save a trip to the post office Save a trip to the post office by giving packages up to 70 pounds to your regular mail carrier. There’s no limit to how many Express, Priority, parcel return, and international packages you can hand over. For a fee, you can also call or go online to arrange a pick-up time.

]]> 66619 13 142 Fact Postal workers call the Monday before Christmas “Black Monday” because it’s one of the busiest shipping days of the year.

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With Mosquitoes HowcastGuide 9247 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:00:50 -0700 18 Jordana_Giorgio ]]> 199 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/30/52/01/15230.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, house, home, household House & Garden General House & Home Household Pests 4 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/15230/deal_mosquitos_hd_1_copy_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/15230-How-To-Deal-With-Mosquitoes 569 19757 How To Catch a Rodent With a Paper Towel Roll HowcastGuide 6839 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:01:00 -0700 18 SPAMhero27 ]]> 115 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/57/97/01/19757.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, house, garden, home House & Garden General House & Home Household Pests 8 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/19757/catch_rodent_hd_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/19757-How-To-Catch-a-Rodent-With-a-Paper-Towel-Roll 572 138 How To Clean Finished Leather HowcastGuide 1742 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:10:36 -0800 6 homerefiner ]]> 91 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/38/01/138.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, clean, finished, leather, luggage, coat, jacket, spot, remove, get out House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/138/House.How_to_Clean_Finished_Leather_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/138-How-To-Clean-Finished-Leather 572 142 How To Clean Silver HowcastGuide 1678 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:10:57 -0800 7 homerefiner ]]> 86 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/42/01/142.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, clean, silver, silverware, wash, shine, polish House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/142/House.How_to_Clean_Silver_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/142-How-To-Clean-Silver 572 152 How To Clean a Wooden Table HowcastGuide 1983 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:15:29 -0800 3 homerefiner ]]> 128 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/52/01/152.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, clean, wood, wooden, table, housekeeping, housecleaning, cleaning, wash House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping -2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/152/House.How_to_Clean_a_Wooden_Table_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/152-How-To-Clean-a-Wooden-Table 572 171 How To Clean a Window HowcastGuide 5216 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:27:39 -0800 5 homerefiner ]]> 107 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/71/01/171.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, clean, cleaning, housekeeping, house, keeping, home, housecleaning, window, glass House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/171/House.How_to_Clean_a_Window_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/171-How-To-Clean-a-Window 572 448 How To Tidy Up in Three Minutes HowcastGuide 3800 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:21:55 -0800 36 carlo_scialla ]]> 144 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/48/04/448.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, clean, tidy, up, quickly, fast, room, house, home, housekeeping, housecleaning, cleaning, housekeeper, three, minutes, quick, apartment, dorm House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping 8 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/448/House.How_to_Tidy_Up_in_Three_Minutes_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/448-How-To-Tidy-Up-in-Three-Minutes 572 31415 How To Clean With Alka-Seltzer HowcastGuide 3964 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 06:01:54 -0700 16 jonz ]]> 118 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/15/14/03/31415.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, house, home, housekeeping House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/31415/alka_seltzer_hd_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/31415-How-To-Clean-With-AlkaSeltzer 572 85812 How To Clean Window Blinds HowcastGuide 2951 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 06:03:50 -0800 8 vinzfeller ]]> 97 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/12/58/08/85812.flv house, housekeeping, housecleaning, cleaning, washing, windows, shades, living, room, kitchen House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/85812/clean_window_blinds_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/85812-How-To-Clean-Window-Blinds 572 85815 How To Turn Spring Cleaning Into a Sex Game HowcastGuide 24647 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:34:51 -0800 14 vinzfeller ]]> 109 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/15/58/08/85815.flv washing, chores, exciting, cleaning, housecleaning, 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house, home, cleaning, washing, using, housekeeping, housecleaning, sodium, bicarbonate House & Garden Housekeeping General Housekeeping 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/151542/clean_with_baking_soda_hd2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/151542-How-To-Clean-With-Baking-Soda 573 290 How To Clean a Shower HowcastGuide 6101 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:41:38 -0800 9 Darlene212 ]]> 179 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/90/02/290.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, clean, scrub, shower, bath, tub, bathroom, bathtub, wash, housekeeping, cleaning, washing House & Garden Housekeeping Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaning 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/290/House.How_to_Clean_a_Shower_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/290-How-To-Clean-a-Shower