Transporting the contents of your home to a new location is back-breaking work. Having the optimal tools while conducting a move will ensure your heavy, fragile and valuable possessions will make it your new home safely and unscathed. The proper moving tools will also prevent you from sustaining any painful injury during transport.
This essential tools will also protect the floors and walls of your new home. Read on for a list of the top six essential moving tools and effective packing materials to aid you in your upcoming relocation.
1. A furniture dolly is optimal for moving bulky items
The flat four-wheeled, horizontal platform can support up to a thousand pounds safely. Remember to securely attach the cargo with ropes or straps before attempting to move anything with it.
The furniture dolly also allows you to vertically move heavy furniture and displace the weight by using the wheels. One of the great benefits is that it allows you to move heavy weight without risking injury to areas such as your back that would usually come from lifting.
TIP: These helpful carts can be rented from moving supply companies for less than the purchase cost.
2. Hand trucks are for easily transport tall appliances
An appliance dolly or hand truck is a vertical, two-wheeled apparatus with handles which is simple to maneuver. It is perfect for moving standing appliances like refrigerators or high stacks of boxes. These dollies are essential for an easy move.
You simply slide the platform underneath the load to be transported, tip the truck towards you to lift and wheel it carefully in the appropriate direction. Be sure to always have assistance to direct you if you cannot see past the appliance or load you are moving and exercise caution at all times.
3. Furniture blankets/pads protect against damage
When you are carrying cumbersome items such as couches and dining room tables through narrow hallways and doorways, they are vulnerable to scuffs and other unsightly marks. The protective pads will prevent nicks, scratches and dents during transit. Before attempting to haul your sofa or hutch out of your home, wrap it completely in a furniture blanket and secure it with packing tape.
4. Furniture sliders make furniture glide across the floor effortlessly
The pads will also protect your hardwood floors from destructive scratches and enable your heavy furniture to easily move across resistant carpeting.
To use sliders, you simply tilt the piece of furniture and place a pad under the raised corner. Do the same for each of the remaining three corners. Then you can then push the piece through the room with ease.
5. Lifting straps and ropes help you secure and lift items
Lifting straps can aid you when carrying heavy furniture and appliances if you don't have access to a hand truck or dolly. The design of these useful straps lowers the center of gravity for the difficult item, redistributing the weight and making it easier to lift. You simply place the straps underneath the item you are relocating, and over your and your partner's shoulders. Since you do not have to bend, it causes your body less stress and helps you to move heavy items with ease.
Ropes and straps are also useful to secure furniture and appliances to hand trucks and dollies, so they remain safely in place while you are moving them.
6. Stair rollers easily attach to your stairs
Relocating cumbersome items down steep staircases can be a difficult and dangerous task. With the help of this handy device you can spare yourself a great deal of effort. A stair roller allows heavy objects and furniture to be carefully and safely rolled down a flight of stairs.
This device is particularly useful on carpeted stairs which can create a difficult resistance when sliding a heavy item downwards.
Essential packing materials that will help you on moving day
As much as having the right tools is crucial to making sure you transport your belongings with the upmost care, you should also take into consideration the materials you use to protect your items and transport them. Here are some essential packing materials to help you keep your stuff protected:
- Shrink wrap can protect furniture from dirt, unsightly stains and damage. Avoid using shrink wrap on leather and wood surfaces.
- Bubble wrap protects fragile items such as mirrors and glass table tops. Wrapping glass pieces in packing paper before applying bubble wrap will prevent the air pockets from leaving unattractive impressions on the surface.
- Packing paper is perfect for wrapping less fragile items. Packing paper will protect against scuffs, scratches and other surface damage. It can also be used as extra cushioning by crumpling it into balls and stuffing it around your wrapped items inside the boxes.
- Moving boxes should be strong, sturdy and durable to effectively protect your belongings during transit. If you use free boxes, they should not be flimsy or weak. Always use the appropriate size box for items you are packing. Boxes that are too large will leave too much negative space for items to shift, and boxes that are too small may collapse from the weight.
- Packing tape that is sturdy, heavy-duty packing tape is essential for securing your boxes and keep them intact. Always reinforce the bottoms of your boxes as well.
- Labels make unpacking a simple task. Knowing the contents of each box and the room it belongs in will ensure your move-in day is organized and hassle-free.