Moving Large Furniture? Use Right Tools and Equipment While Moving

Moving is a journey that an individual has once or several times in their life. When people move, they take their household items with them, which include furniture, clothes, appliances, and more. All these items are packed and moved safely to ensure that there will be no damage to the items or to the property. A damage-free move for furniture is only possible if the right moving and packing tools are used.

If you plan to handle the move by yourself, you will need special tools and equipment to move large and heavy furniture. This comprehensive guide will explore the wide range of tools that can be used to pack and carry large furniture. These tools and equipment help in the efficient moving of heavy furniture:

• Furniture Sliders—If you want to move your furniture with maximum ease, then furniture sliders are your true friend. These are small disc-shaped tools that are placed under the furniture's legs or corners. They allow you to slide the furniture across the floor without damaging it. Several types of furniture sliders are available, designed for specific types of floors.
• Rubber Sliders—These are added to furniture pieces that require a good grip. They are suitable for hard and soft surfaces and prevent slipping.
• Plastic Sliders—These sliders are made of plastic and suitable for carpeted floors. It reduces friction and makes it easy to move furniture without lifting.
• Felt Sliders—These sliders prevent the surface from scratches and allows easy movement. Felt sliders are best for hardwood, laminated floors, and tiles.
• Lifting Straps—Moving straps or shoulder dollies are designed to take leverage of your body strength to lift heavy furniture. These straps divide the weight evenly and reduce the strain on your back and arms. Two types of straps are used for lifting large furniture pieces:
• Forearm Forklift Straps—These straps will loop around your forearms and allow you to lift heavy furniture with the strength of your legs rather than your back.
• Shoulder Dolly Straps—Unlike forearm forklift straps, these straps will loop around your shoulders and make it easier for you to lift heavy furniture.
• Furniture Dollies—Furniture dollies are carts that have two or four wheels and a handle and straps. These dollies can carry heavy and large furniture like sofas, dressers, and appliances. There are two types of furniture dollies available for carrying different items:
• Two-Wheel Hand Truck—These are also known as appliance dollies and are L-shaped. These are designed to lift and transport heavy items. These dollies have straps attached to them that secure the furniture piece when the dolly is pushed.
• Four-Wheel Dollies—These are four-wheel flat platforms that are perfect for moving bulky items. These dollies provide stability to the items and bear significant weight. Some four-wheel dollies have carpeted surfaces to protect the furniture from scratches.
• Hand Trucks—One of the most versatile tools that can be used to carry various types of furniture items and boxes. Two types of hand trucks are available for lifting heavy furniture:
• Standard Hand Trucks—These are two-wheeled upright carts that are ideal for moving boxes and smaller furniture pieces.
• Convertible Hand Trucks—These are available as two-wheel and four-wheel carts. These are used for different moving tasks due to their flexibility.
• Furniture Lifter Tools—These are furniture lifters that are used to lift heavy furniture so that the sliders can be placed or they can be loaded on the dollies. These furniture lifters consist of levers and wheels. Two types of lifters can be used for lifting furniture:
• Lever-type Lifters—These types of lifters use lever-type mechanisms to lift the furniture slightly off the ground. They are easy to use and can lift significant weight.
• Hydraulic Lifters—These are more powerful as they use hydraulic power to lift extremely heavy items.
• Piano Dollies and Skids—Piano is a delicate item and it requires professional handling. But if you decide to move it yourself, then use piano dollies or piano skids to lift the weight and size of the piano.
• Piano Skids—These are used to slide the piano across the floor and are long, narrow platforms that come with straps to secure it.
• Piano Dollies—Wide-base heavy-duty dollies with sturdy wheels that support the weight of the piano.
• Moving Straps—Carrying heavy furniture on any dolly or cart is not safe until it is secured. A moving strap will secure the piece of furniture on a dolly or cart and avoid any damage due to shifting. Different types of straps can be used to secure the items:
• Bungee Cords—These are elastic cords with hooks on each end. These are perfect for securing light items.
• Ratchet Straps—These straps are used for securing heavy loads by using a ratcheting mechanism.
• Ropes—The most common form of element used to tie down larger items.
• Ramps—Carrying heavy items is efficiently done with the help of lifters and dollies. But loading can be challenging as there is a height difference and such heavy items cannot be lifted. In such a scenario, ramps will be your survivor. These are smooth inclined surfaces that are used to roll items on dollies and carts.
• Portable Ramps—These ramps are lightweight and easy to install.
• Folding Ramps—These ramps can be easy to store and transport. These are available in different sizes and weights.
• Moving Blanket—While moving large furniture items, there are higher risks of dents and scratches. But if you wrap the items with a moving blanket then they will be protected. These are thick padded blankets providing protection to the piece of furniture.
• Furniture Pads—Like blankets, furniture pads also provide protection to the furniture. But these are ideal for small furniture items. These pads are wrapped around the items or placed between the items to prevent friction.
• Gloves and safety gear—Moving is full of physical risks and ensuring safety is important during the move. Lifting and carrying heavy furniture is risky and you need to wear the right clothes, shoes, and additional gear.
• Gloves—Wear heavy-duty gloves that improve the grip and protect your hands from splinters, blisters, cuts, and more.
• Safety Shoes—Protecting feet during the move is also important, so wear closed-toe shoes with good traction.
• Wrapping Sheets—Protecting furniture from moisture and other weather impacts is also important. Wrapping sheets like plastic sheets can be used to prevent furniture from moisture. Fabric covers can be used to protect furniture from dust and dirt.
• Labeling Supplies—Each belonging must be labeled properly to avoid any damage or loss. Adding labels to each furniture piece will give you an easy unpacking, so buy multi-colored markers.

Furniture moving needs focus, strength, and the right strategy. Several risks are associated with the movement of large furniture pieces. You can hire a professional furniture mover to handle the move or gather all the mentioned supplies. Protect your furniture, before, after, and during the move with the right packing and moving tools.