Whenever you are moving you have to think and plan in advance, because in that way your move will be easier for you. The pressure and anxiety you feel are normal reaction since there are a lot of things to take care of. It can be really exhausting because you need to make sure you don’t forget anything, you need to take care of document, not to mention the transportation. The furniture, appliances and electronics are probably one of the most expensive things you own, and also the heaviest things you need to transfer from one place to another. You need to figure out how you are going to move everything without breaking anything, including your back.
In case you want to save some money and do it yourself, without any professional help our first advice is to get help from your friends and family. The important thing is to do some estimating and weighing. Measure the shape, weight and size of the furniture, because if you have to move some large piece through the door or a narrow hallway, you will know what is the best way to carry and position the furniture in order to pass without hitting or scratching the walls. Also, if you can, break down each piece of furniture because in that way you can reduce the weight; and as for the couches or chairs, you should remove cushions and pillows. Check if you can fold some of your chairs in order to take up less space in the vehicle. When it comes to moving dressers and bookshelves, be sure that the drawers that are built up inside them are empty. Take out everything because if you leave, the contents can fall from it. What’s more, you can remove the drawers and shelves from their larger units, if you like. If you choose to leave them, then secure them by taping them. The surface can make things harder to move, so consider buying sliders from the store. Furniture sliders are made for moving heavy furniture. Just slide your big and heavy pieces across any type of floor, whether it is hardwood floor, ceramic tiles or carpets. Place a slider under each leg or corner of the furniture and you will be able to transfer any object easily and safely. The reason it is so easy to move anything using slider is because they reduce and almost eliminate the friction between furniture and floor. Another option is using moving straps, which you connect to your shoulders and the weight of the furniture is directed not on your back, but on the much stronger muscle groups. You can also use a moving dolly, which is maybe the best way to move heavy stuff. Whether it’s a two-wheel hand truck or a four-wheel square platform, it is very easy to use it. Be sure to secure the furniture piece by using strings, straps or rope and to always have a person who will navigate your way out and your way in. When you move furniture by yourself you need to be careful not to hurt yourself. The golden rule is to lift with your legs, not with your back. Keep the back straight, bend your knees and using the strength of your limbs, lift heavy objects. If you have an option, always choose pushing instead of pulling heavyweight furniture. Keep the object you carry close to your body and in central position in relation to your body and never lift heavy pieces above your head. As mentioned above, ask at least one person to help you.
When you move large furniture like pieces which have legs, like desks and tables, you will probably have difficulties because they cannot be slid on carpet. They cannot be pulled across the floor, so you need to purchase a slider which is specially designed for carpeted floors. Don’t forget to be careful with the transfer because the piece can fall over while in motion. However, if the carpets aren’t the problem because you have hardwood floor you have to be cautious not to leave any scratches or marks on the floor. So, avoid using sliders because they might leave some trace. The best option for this type of floor is a moving dolly with soft rubber wheels. Most of you will probably be faced with the stairs which are often the biggest challenge. The weight isn’t the only problem, the shape and size can prove to be tricky. After you put away any removable parts and empty everything, put a piece of wooden platform beneath the object, wrap it in moving blanket and then slide your piece of furniture down the stairs.
Last, but not the least, you should know the right way to move your TV without damaging it. Protect your TV from bumps and fingerprints, by wrapping it in blankets or pads. You can rent a moving blanket or pad from a moving company. Use packing tape to secure the blankets around the television. Be sure not to put the tape directly on TV, because you don’t want to damage the screen. Use the straps, with the help of your friend. TV should always stay in the upright position and once you put it in a truck, place it against the wall and don’t put sharp objects next to it.
Finally, label the boxes so the movers know to take a special care when transporting the items. With these few tips, you can make your moving much easier.
