Moving Furniture? Follow These Tips To Protect It And Yourself
Moving is a very involved endeavor. Some tasks, like packing boxes and sorting through your extra things, are rather time-consuming, yet mundane. But moving furniture is different. This is a task that involves carrying heavy items, maneuvering those items around doorways, and sometimes even using a power drill to loosen screws and bolts. There's a lot of potential for damage -- to the furniture and to your own body! To ensure your moving day does not end in the emergency room or with a pile of scratched, damaged furniture, follow these tips.
When in doubt, take it apart.
Small furnishings, like end tables and nightstands, can surely be transported in one piece. However, larger tables and chests of drawers should always be disassembled when you have the choice. There are a few advantages to moving furniture in pieces:
- You're less likely to bang it on doorways or walls.
- It will be easier to lift, so you're not as likely to strain your back or arms.
- You'll be less likely to drop it.
- You can fit more into the moving truck since disassembled furniture pieces tend to be flat and stackable.
Make sure you plan ahead if you need to disassemble a lot of furniture. This way, you won't be in a rush and won't be as likely to damage something as you're undoing screws and bolts.
Clean it first.
During its time in the moving truck, your furniture may be exposed to higher temperatures and more humidity than in your home. These conditions can set in stains. So, it's important to vacuum your cloth furniture and also treat any stains before moving day arrives.
Make sure you also clean and polish your wooden furniture. This will make it less likely to get scratched if you accidentally rub it against something.
Find some helpers.
Even when you disassemble furniture, you're likely to have some pieces that are too heavy for one person to lift safety. You may also have some large items, like dressers, that simply don't come apart. It's important to have some strong helpers on hand to assist you in moving these items.
Make sure that you and your helpers use proper lifting techniques when moving furniture. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips and knees as you lift, and try to keep your shoulders back and square. Hold the furniture close to your body, and when you turn around corners, remember to lead with your hips while keeping your shoulders in line with your hips.
Keep the pathway clear.
If you can, try to make the furniture the last things you remove from the home. This way, all of the boxes and other small items will be out of the way, and you won't risk tripping over them while you're carrying heavy furniture. If you need to remove the furniture before boxes and other items, always check that the path is clear before you lift and carry an item out the door.
Use the nylon restraints in your moving truck.
Most moving trucks come with big, nylon bands that are meant to be anchored around your items. Make sure you put these to use. They will keep your furniture from shifting while in transit so it does not tumble down and injure you when it's time to unpack. Also make sure, when packing the moving truck, that you set heavy items on the bottom and lighter ones on top.
If the idea of moving furniture is overwhelming, contact a moving company like Bekins Van Lines Inc in your area. They typically include disassembling and reassembling furniture in their full-service moving packages.
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