How to properly wrap furniture for a move?
Part 3 of 5: Wrapping Your Furniture Download Article
- Cover furniture with blankets or furniture pads. To best protect your furniture, wrap it carefully with pads or blankets. ...
- Wrap table and chair legs with blankets or pads. It's best if you can remove the legs before packing.
- Professional Move Manager Expert Interview. ...
How to wrap a sofa chair for a move?
- Roll the upholstery far enough up that you can see the frame of the sofa and the fasteners that hold the arms to the base.
- Loosen the bolts or screws that secure the arms with an Allen wrench or a screwdriver. ...
- Look for the bolts that hold the seat and back of the sofa together. ...
- Take careful notes so that you remember how to reassemble the sofa.
How to pack furniture for moving?
- Loading a moving truck is more efficient when items are as small and as compact as possible. ...
- Disassemble large, bulky furniture such as headboards and bed frames. ...
- An overlooked aspect of how you pack a moving truck is preventing damage from items shifting around in transit. ...
How to use paper padding for moving?
The Best Packing Materials and How to Use Them
- Packing paper. When you’re moving, packing paper is a necessity. ...
- Styrofoam and packing peanuts. In our testing, styrofoam and packing peanuts performed worse than any other packing material—in part because they weren’t used alongside paper or bubble wrap.
- Bubble wrap. ...
- Clothing. ...
- Real-world testing. ...
- Conclusion. ...
What do Movers wrap furniture with?
Bubble wrap and plastic sheeting are two of the best tools at your disposal when it comes to safely moving your furniture. Use bubble wrap to protect delicate wood pieces. Plastic wrap or specially designed plastic sofa covers should be used to protect your upholstered items.
What is used to wrap furniture?
0:341:21How to Use Plastic Wrap for Moving - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPaper padding or moving blankets to fabric furniture. Hold the roll at each in and wrap it aroundMorePaper padding or moving blankets to fabric furniture. Hold the roll at each in and wrap it around the item.
Do I need to wrap my furniture for moving?
comes up when gathering supplies, and the answer is, it depends. If you aren't worried about nicks, dents, scrapes, or other damage to the piece, then you can get away with not wrapping it. However, if you want your furniture to survive the move without injury, you might want to take the time to wrap it when moving.
How do you wrap a couch when moving?
Wrap the piece entirely, using the appropriate packaging. Leather furniture — use paper padding or moving blankets, and secure with tape or an outer layer of plastic wrap. Upholstered furniture — use paper padding, moving blankets or plastic wrap. Secure with packing tape if needed.
Can you use saran wrap to wrap furniture?
Plastic, stretchy wrap tends to be tear-resistant and can hold even the largest of items together for the duration of the move. Plastic wrap is commonly used on furniture with drawers and doors, such as dressers, desks, hutches, chests, and sideboards, when moving.
Can you vinyl wrap furniture?
Keep it and cover the flaws with furniture wrap. Vinyl masks scratches and stains on older furniture without needing to use putty or sandpaper. If you need a quick way to make your furniture look new, vinyl wraps are the answer.
How do you protect wooden furniture when moving?
Make sure to wrap any wooden furniture in a protective fabric. Tables, chairs and bed frames, whether you've disassembled them or not, also need to be wrapped in blankets as wooden furniture like this can easily be snapped, chipped or scratched. Do this tightly, then cover in bubble/plastic wrap.
How do movers protect furniture when moving?
The short answer is: moving blankets. If you've ever seen movers work, you will have surely noticed the signature blue blankets that they seem to use all the time to protect all types of furniture pieces and large home appliances.
What gauge stretch wrap do I need for moving?
80 gaugeThe most common standard for stretch wrap film is 80 gauge. This size offers the right balance between strength and easy application, making it ideal for DIY moving.
Will shrink wrap damage furniture?
Plastic shrink wrap, while effective for protecting upholstered furniture during a move, can be damaging under some conditions. When furniture is placed into storage, shrink wrap can trap moisture and even melt in the heat, sticking to and ruining the surface of your furniture.
How do you repack a sofa?
0:462:32Packing Sofa - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCover the couch in sections with the packing blankets taping. Around each one to keep it snug andMoreCover the couch in sections with the packing blankets taping. Around each one to keep it snug and secure. Once you have the couch covered you'll be ready to take it to the truck.
How do you wrap a couch with fabric?
4:256:56Slipcover Hack | How To Inexpensively Cover a SofaYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart by laying the fabric over the cushions and draping it down towards the floor. Work. With itMoreStart by laying the fabric over the cushions and draping it down towards the floor. Work. With it until the fabric just skims the floor. And then smooth the fabric over the cushions.
What to do if you need to move furniture out of your home?
If you need to move furniture out of the old home but your new home isn't ready yet, try using a storage unit to keep it until you need it. A local storage unit can be a handy place to keep sofas, lamps, dressers, and chairs that don't fit in your living space now, but you still see a future with the piece.
What is the best way to protect furniture?
Moving blankets are the right way to protect your furniture. Bubble wrap and tape may not be enough padding for older pieces of furniture, particularly if they're wooden. They may keep scratches and knocks at bay, but they can trap moisture and lead to damage while being moved or stored.
What is a moving blanket?
Also known as furniture or transit blankets, moving blankets are extremely convenient and offer effective protection. They're large enough for tables, chairs, dressers, and sideboards to be wrapped inside. This will prevent them from unpleasant scratches and knocks while in transit.
How to keep drawers in and fastened up?
However, keeping them in and fastened up means you're moving the entire piece of furniture in one trip. Use rope, string, or twine to keep your drawers secured, rather than tape, to avoid damage or hard to remove sticky marks.
How to avoid wear and tear when moving furniture?
But don't worry, you can avoid wear and tear by following our tips for protecting and wrapping furniture. Gather the right materials and wrap pieces carefully to ensure your furniture survives the big move.
Why is it important to plan ahead before moving furniture?
Planning ahead is a key factor before wrapping furniture for moving. It's easy to forget an important item that might be tricky to move. Especially when you're faced with the mammoth task of unpacking. That's why taking inventory is so important.
How to protect wood from plastic?
You can use bubble wrap as an extra line of defense. Place a layer of moving blankets or furniture pads in-between. Then the plastic won't come into contact with wood.
Step 1: Assemble Your Moving Supplies
According to the Sherwood Park moving company, the following items are handy for packing:
Step 2: Preparing Your Furniture for Packing
Before you pack your furniture, ensure that you carry out thorough cleaning on your furniture. Dust and clean it entirely because debris and dust can leave scratches on wooden furniture and on other hard surfaces when moving.
Step 3: Disassemble Your Furniture Before You Move Them to the Truck
If you can, completely disassemble your furniture before moving. Take out the legs from your tables and even the couches. Disassemble your bed frames. Take out cushions. Doing this makes the moving process more accessible and the large items smaller in size. It also becomes easier for you or the movers to carry.
Step 5: Design a Placement Plan Before You Move
Before you start placing your furniture in the vehicle, we recommend you have a plan for their placement before you move them. Professional movers are very familiar with this. They know how to place your furniture to further protect them. In essence, placement is just as important as packing.
1. Collect Wrapping and Packing Supplies
Your furniture’s safe delivery depends on the wrapping and packing materials, so it’s important to choose the right supplies. You’ll need these popular options to safeguard your furniture while it's in the moving truck or shipping crate.
2. Photograph Your Furniture Before Wrapping
If you’ve hired a top-rated moving company to transport your household goods, they’ll likely keep an inventory list to document the condition of your items. Before the movers arrive, take photos and videos of your furniture so you have a record of its condition before loading.
4. Dismantle Your Furniture When Possible
It's easier to wrap, box, and load furniture that breaks down into smaller pieces. Disassemble as many items as you can to save your door frames and walls from dents and nicks. Use sealable plastic bags to keep the small parts together. Then, tape the bags to the underside or backs of the furniture to ensure it doesn’t get lost.
5. Use Multiple Materials to Protect Your Furniture
Professional moving companies and DIY movers alike use a combination of stretchable plastic wrap, moving blankets, bubble wrap, and cardboard to protect furniture. Determining which combination works best for you depends on the amount, size, and type of furniture you have.
6. Use Stretchable Plastic Wrap to Protect Fabric
Stretchable plastic wrap is a must-have tool for your move. It clings to furniture and itself to protect your furniture. Thanks to its rubber band-like features, it also keeps drawers and doors shut during the move. You’ll need an extra set of hands to help you wrap the furniture because the roll is large.
7. Moving Blankets Offer Extra Protection
Moving blankets aren’t your average cuddly, warm bed covers. Instead, they're thick and engineered to protect your furniture from bumps and scuffs during transportation. You can use one or two blankets per furniture item, depending on its size and shape.
8. Use Plastic Bubble Wrap for Select Items
Everyone loves the quick snap-pop of bubble wrap, and its protective qualities for fragile items are hard to beat. Bubble wrap works great for most items, but be careful if your furniture has a delicate finish like faux paint or antique glass because the plastic could stick to it.
What to use to wrap furniture?
Whenever possible, use moving blankets, foam padding, and furniture pads to wrap and pack your furniture. For delicate items, there is no such thing as having too much protection. Make sure that you don’t wrap up wooden furniture in plastic shrink wrap or bubble wrap, as wood is an organic material that needs to breathe. If you do want to use bubble wrap for additional padding during furniture moving, make sure that you have a layer of furniture pads or blankets in between the wrap and the furniture item.
How to safely transport furniture?
By using some simple furniture wrapping tips, you can properly wrap your furniture to minimize damage while moving.
What to use to wrap a glass table?
You should also use telescoping cardboard boxes in order to further protect the item, and if you don’t have these materials handy, you should use towels and old blankets to wrap up the tabletops. Regardless of the materials that you use, make sure that you are also using plenty of tape so that the wrapping won’t slip off to expose your furniture.
Do you need to wrap furniture when disassembling?
While it is important to thoroughly wrap your furniture item, don’t neglect to properly wrap the disassembled parts, as well. Pack smaller parts away in boxes that are clearly labeled so that you can easily find the pieces when you are ready to put the item back together in your new home.
Can you wrap furniture to make sure it arrives in good condition?
While there is no way to guarantee that your furniture will arrive at their final destination in perfect condition, by properly wrapping your items, you can minimize your risk. Following these tips can ensure that your furniture arrives at your new home in good condition.
Can you use shrink wrap on leather furniture?
Certain items like sofas and mattresses can benefit from the use of custom-made plastic covers when moving. These are especially helpful for leather furniture, as the covers can protect your item from moisture, stains, and rips. If you aren’t able to find the appropriate covers, you can always use plastic shrink wrap to protect these items.
Can you take apart furniture?
After you have the right materials together, you should remove or disassemble furniture items the best that you can. Take out any items stored in armoires, china cabinets, or dressers before you wrap the piece of furniture, and disassemble any accessories that you can take apart, such as table or sofa legs. If you have any questions about how to remove these detachable parts properly, contact a professional or consult with your owner’s manual.
1. Get the Proper Supplies
You will need specific supplies to wrap your furniture for moving. It will depend on the type of furniture which supplies you might need. Some of the common supplies used for wrapping furniture for moving include:
2. Preparing your Furniture
When you need to prepare furniture for packing, it’s important to clean it. The last thing you want to do is wrap furniture for moving that’s dirty and hasn’t been properly cleaned. This can cause it to smell when you arrive at your new home.
3. Wrap Your Furniture
Now you will need to cover the furniture and wrap it. Sometimes, it’s better to use a furniture blanket, while other times a sofa or mattress cover is the right choice. Once you have the furniture covered, you can wrap it with plastic wrap and use tape or bubble wrap, depending on the item.
4. Loading Wrapped Furniture
Once you have learned how to wrap furniture for moving, you should learn how to properly load it up into the moving truck. Mirrors should go between mattresses, while a sofa is best to be packed vertically for space-saving reasons.
How do you use plastic wrap to protect furniture?
Now that you know when you should use plastic wrap while moving, you can learn how to use this material. Ultimately, plastic wrap is incredibly convenient for many aspects of your packing and moving process. We have spoken about using plastic wrap on your furniture to demonstrate how easy it is to protect your furniture.
What are a few of the best alternatives to plastic wrap?
If you decide not to use plastic wrap for your move, there are a few other products you can look into using. Some of these options will be more expensive and won’t be as convenient or reliable as a plastic wrap product, so keep that in mind when you choose to use an alternative moving supply.
Is it hard to move furniture?
It actually isn’t as hard as it may seem as long as you know how to protect furniture before moving it.
Do doors need to be protected with blankets?
Disclaimer: The doors must also be protected with blankets so they don’t get scratched.
Can you wrap a leather chair in bubble wrap?
Do NOT wrap leather chair/sofas or wooden furniture only in bubble wrap or plastic shrink wrap. If you want to use bubble or plastic wrap as an extra line of defense, you must always place a layer of blankets or furniture pads beneath it so that the plastic does not come in direct contact with the wood or the leather because they are organic materials, which means that they need to breathe. Smothering it in layer after layer of plastic wrap can be very damaging to the furniture’s surface.
What to use when moving?
Towels – Don’t have moving blankets? Use old beach or bath towels instead. Towels are an easy and cheap way to provide an extra layer of protection to your belongings when moving.
What is plastic wrap used for when moving?
Plastic, stretchy wrap tends to be tear-resistant and can hold even the largest of items together for the duration of the move. Plastic wrap is commonly used on furniture with drawers and doors, such as dressers, desks, hutches, chests, and sideboards, when moving. In addition, plastic wrap can add an extra layer of protection for artwork, couches, chairs and anything with cushions when moving. It can also be used to keep furniture parts together such as a table or bed that have been disassembled for the move.
Where can I find plastic wrap?
Fortunately, plastic wrap isn’t hard to come by. You can find rolls of wrap at your local Home Depot, Office Depot, Lowes and Walmart. You can also find plastic wrap on Uline.com and UHaul.com. Of course, you can always get great discounts on moving supplies from Moving.com’s box center. We’ve partnered with two different providers, UBoxes.com and UsedCardboardBoxes.com, to help you buy the necessary moving boxes and packing supplies at great prices.
What to pack for a move?
Packing up your house for a move? Make plastic wrap your new best friend. This simple, clingy material is one of the most important packing supplies to have on-hand when prepping your belongings for a move. Not only will it protect your furniture, artwork and other items from damage during transport, but it will also help condense large items such as rugs and furniture, so that you have more space in the moving truck for other belongings. Here’s a quick rundown on how to use plastic wrap for moving.
What is the best way to pack electronics?
Plastic bins – Clear plastic bins are an excellent, waterproof way to pack electronics. Given that they are see-through, you’ll also be able to find your belongings without having to dig through a pile of boxes.
What are some good things to put in moving boxes?
Peanuts – While messy to deal with, peanuts provide plenty of cushioning inside moving boxes and can be especially helpful in protecting items while in transport.
Do you wrap a plastic wrap around an item?
The plastic wrap will only help keep protective materials in place. Once you’re ready to get wrapping, have another person hold the item still while you wrap the plastic wrap around the item.
