(Newswire.net — July 8, 2020) — Moving to a new place can be exciting. While the majority of your belongings are easy to relocate, the task of moving your furniture takes more effort and planning. Check out the list below for some great tips for moving the big stuff.
1. Moving tools are your friend. The more help a tool can give you, the less strain your body has to endure.
- Moving straps are adjustable for your different sized furniture pieces and are also adjustable for the person doing the moving. They ease the weight strain on your arms.
- Dollies are a big help when stairs and curbs are part of your moving terrain. They are a great aid for appliances and other items that are extremely heavy but are chest level or less.
Both moving straps and dollies can be purchased or rented.
2. Budget your moving expenses to allow for additional items that you may need. You may need heavy blankets, plastic sliders, and even a babysitter, if you have little ones who may get under foot and get hurt. Preparing for these expenses beforehand will ensure you can cover the cost if the needs arise.
3. Ask for some helping hands. No need to prove your strength when you can barely get a heavy piece of furniture to budge. If it weighs more than 300 lbs., it is recommended that you have four people to move it.
4. Empty all items from your furniture. Remove books from bookshelves (putting them inside of luggage with wheels makes moving the books much, much easier than if they are in boxes) and remove clothing from drawers. Remove cushions from couches, and you may want to remove legs and feet from your furniture pieces. The few extra inches removed makes it easier to go through doorways.
It’s also important to clean and dry your large appliances to avoid mildew and mold.
5. Take a few minutes to protect your floors and furniture. Lay down thick cardboard to protect high traffic areas (such as the entrance) during your move. Moving pads and large rolls of moving plastic wrap add cushion and protection to your furniture, especially to your delicate pieces.
6. Make a floor plan. If you plan where each piece of furniture goes before moving it in, your movers will only have to move it once. You can always change your mind later if you need to.
7. Save yourself from unnecessary injuries.
- Remove any tripping hazards in your moving paths, indoors and outdoors. This includes ice, mud and water.
- Take a couple of minutes to stretch before starting. Your back and legs won’t be as sore the following day.
- Work gloves add protection to your hands, and also give you a better grip when picking up furniture.
- Keep your back straight, bend at the knees, and lift with your legs, arms and shoulders. Use your lower body strength for lifting.
- Pushing heavy furniture is preferable over pulling, if possible.
- Take small steps and move slowly and as smoothly as you can.
- When turning while carrying heavy furniture, use your feet instead of turning at your waist.
- Avoid pulling muscles by never lifting heavy items above your waist, and do not lift any items above your shoulders.
8. Don’t lift, drag. When possible, use plastic sliders, pieces or cardboard or moving pads to move your couches, chairs and tables. This saves you from extra lifting. Using moving blankets will also eliminate dents and dings to your furniture.
9. Transport tall items by top and bottom. Carrying tall items (with two movers) by the top and bottom rather than both movers carrying the items from the bottom eases carrying difficulties.
10. Remember the following moving techniques.
- Carry couches vertically when moving through doorways.
- Turn large chairs sideways, moving the back of the chair through the doorway first, then rounding the rest of it through the doorway.
- Some mattresses have handles. You can use them to create a sling carrier with PVC pipe looped and tied with rope.
It will cost extra but worth it if you don’t do the work yourself but turn the task over to professional movers such as Removalists Perth. They can give you a free no-obligation quote before you make your decision.