The average moving day usually passes by without incident or injury, but moving can be more physically challenging than most people realize, especially when navigating narrow doorways. Protecting yourself and everyone involved with your move should be a top priority on moving day, especially if you have opted for a do-it-yourself move.
On moving day, protecting yourself and your loved ones is even more important than protecting your belongings. There is a risk of severe back injury any time you lift a heavy item without the proper form, and the last thing you need to worry about during your local or long-distance move, including handling your belongings, is an injury. Save yourself time and pain by following 1-800-PACK-RAT’s moving tips on lifting and moving heavy items properly.
General Rules for Lifting and Moving Heavy Stuff
The first rule is not to overpack your boxes with heavy items. This can lead to overweighing your portable moving container or moving solution as you pack it, which can cause weight displacement issues and make it generally more challenging to move your stuff. If you have a large number of heavy items to move, you might need to make several trips with an alternative moving solution or get a second container delivered to you. Generally, smaller boxes should be used for heavier items such as books. Larger boxes should be used for bulkier items like blankets, bedding, etc., not necessarily heavier items. Each box should not be packed to exceed over 50 lbs.
To pack and move successfully, you must know the basics of the best way to move heavy furniture before the big day, including dressers and other items. Here are some tips on properly lifting heavy objects and furniture while coordinating with your moving partner and keeping your safety and belongings in mind.
How to Move Heavy Items and Furniture
When it comes to lifting anything, utilizing proper lifting techniques can be the difference between your move going off without a hitch and having an injury complicating matters. It might seem silly to practice proper lifting techniques, and it may seem quicker to do it fast, but the last thing you need is for you, or someone helping you, to get injured when moving your stuff. Doing it safely is far more preferable to doing it quickly!
Here’s a quick guide on how to properly lift some of those heavier items.
Plan Your Lift
Before lifting a heavy item, ensure you have a clear route and enough space to maneuver your torso and the heavy item to the final destination. Also, check to make sure you are wearing appropriate, non-slip footwear, and if needed, protect any doorways or walls you might bump into with blankets or padding. Depending on the weight of the item you are trying to lift, be sure to have someone spot it or help you carry it wherever it needs to be. If needed, move potential obstacles out of the way and get someone to help spot you along the path and clear the way as you move your object.
Treat this like a scouting mission, and ensure that you are fully ready to move the heavy object without anything causing you trouble along the way.
Have the Right Posture
Stand close to the item you will be picking up with your feet placed shoulder-width apart. Keep your head facing forward, and do not bend your neck. Your goal is to lessen the amount of strain while moving the object as much as possible to avoid injury.
Squat With Your Legs
Keep your back straight as you tighten your abdominal muscles and bend your knees and hips to squat. Do not bend at the waist, as this will cause you to try and pick up the item using your back instead of your legs, which can result in serious injury. Keep your head upright, looking straight ahead.
Pick Up
Place your arms around the object and get a good grip while keeping it close to your body; slowly lift with your legs by pushing up and straightening your knees. You must maintain a straight back to eliminate strain and pressure on your back. If you don't feel like you have a good grip or start to feel the object slip, inform whoever is helping you move the item, stop, and reset by placing the object down.
Set Down Gently
When the object is ready to be put down, return to the squatting position by bending at the knees. You must keep the item close to you and maintain a straight back. Remember, all of the lifting power should come from your legs - never your back!
Moving Heavy Objects and Furniture
Moving heavy stuff doesn’t always mean doing it with just sheer muscle power. The object of the moving game is to work smarter, not harder! That includes using some common moving tools to help make your heavy lifting as easy as possible. Here’s how to lift heavy objects with simple tools, where you might be able to get them, and how they can be used to help make your packing job easier!
Furniture Sliders
Furniture sliders are an excellent investment for moving all types of large furniture. You can use furniture sliders by placing a slider underneath each corner of the item, with the smooth edge facing the floor. Push from the lower section of the furniture to glide it smoothly across the floor.
Furniture sliders are available for both hard surfaces and carpeted floors. They are made of plastic, felt, or a combination of both. You can find them at most hardware and home improvement stores, like Lowes Home Improvement®.
We've also partnered with Lowe's to provide our customers with all of the moving supplies you will need, from boxes and packing tape, bubble wrap, furniture padding, mattress bags, moving blankets, locks, moisture absorbers, furniture dollies, hand trucks, moving straps, and a moving truck, and much more. Learn more about what kinds of moving supplies you might need, how to use it, and where you can get them from today.
Cardboard, Towels, and More
If you are looking for a less expensive alternative, several household items can be used to reduce the friction between your furniture and the flooring. Cut out small sections of cardboard to use under the corners of your furniture to move it across the carpet. If you need to move furniture along hardwood, try using old towels or gliders. If you have a (clean) yard tarp, these can also be used to move large objects around your home more easily. So long as the tool you are using is strong enough and won’t damage your floors, it can help make moving these heavier items much more manageable.
Blankets
Another option to make moving furniture easier is to use blankets. To get a better grip, lift a corner of your furniture and place an old padded blanket beneath it, especially when navigating tight corners. Be sure to pull an ample amount under the furniture to ensure you have extra to cover the other end. This can protect your floors and walls/doorways when moving something that is large and heavy.
Once you have the blanket under one side of the furniture, go to the other end and lift a corner to pull the sheet to that side. After the blanket is underneath all corners, grab one end and slide the furniture where you need it to go.
Lifting and Moving Items With Assistance
If you need more hands-on tools to get a move done, a variety of heavy-duty options are available. Plenty of tools, including rollers, are out there that you can purchase or rent to make moving larger items more straightforward to manage. These moving tools are typical of what professional labor providers use when helping customers pack and load their stuff for a move. If it is good enough for the pros, it'll definitely work for you!
Moving Furniture and Appliance Straps
Moving or lifting straps make it easier to move and maneuver heavy items and odd-shaped objects that are hard to grip, such as large appliances or overstuffed recliners. These straps redirect the strain and lift onto your shoulders, making it almost impossible to lift with your back or in a way that would hurt you - although you should be extremely cautious no matter what tool you use or what you move!
Slide the polypropylene or nylon straps around each piece of furniture and use your hands and arms to lift and guide the items through your home and into your portable moving container. Moving appliance straps can also be utilized to move items safely and carefully, such as washers and dryers, refrigerators, and more, in and out of your home. Once again, be sure to have a spotter helping you and ensure your path is as clear as possible before you begin moving your heavy object.
Moving Dollies Make it Easier
Moving dollies, along with professional furniture movers, are invaluable moving tools with wheels that can help you easily move heavy objects. They are best for furniture or large items you can fully lift but need assistance moving. Wrap your furniture in pads before securing it to the dolly. This will prevent scratches on wooden furniture and stains or tears on upholstered furniture.
You should also measure any doorways you need to carry the object through to ensure you can get through it. If required, you can remove a door from its hinges to buy a bit more space to maneuver with.
Tie or tape up loose items such as hoses, plugs, and wires to avoid tripping over them or getting them tangled in the dolly wheels. Some dollies feature solid tires, but if they are traditional inflated tires, ensure they are inflated to the correct PSI before you place a heavy object on the dolly. Make sure that the dolly is big enough to hold the item you want to move, then load and secure the piece on the dolly and give it a push.
A furniture dolly can usually handle up to 1,000 lbs, and it has a tight turning radius for hallways and elevators, but it can't be used on stairs. If you need to move something down a flight of stairs, furniture/appliance straps could be a better bet.
Utilize Moving Hand Trucks
A hand truck is similar to a dolly as you place the furniture on a wheeled platform, but the shape is slightly different. It is an L-shaped platform that uses only two wheels and a handle. By sliding the lower shelf of the dolly under the item, you can tilt it back to lift and move it wherever you need it to go. It is ideal for moving several boxes or small furniture and appliances.
Some hand trucks also allow you to switch the handle to use it vertically or horizontally. This feature enables you to move both tall and wide objects. Always use the straps to secure your items to the hand truck's frame. Be sure to wrap the long side with some padding to avoid damage or scratches on your moved item.
Hiring Professional Movers and Labor Assistance
If you would prefer the assistance of professionals to help you move your bulky items, 1-800-PACK-RAT can recommend trusted third-party companies. We have partnered with trusted third-party professional labor service providers, so you can easily find professional packers and movers to help make your move easier.
By working with a professional labor company, you will not only save time and energy, but you can be confident that your stuff will be loaded and unloaded into your container efficiently and safely. These pros have access to all the tools needed to make your move happen easily, reducing the stress and strain on you and your stuff.
How should you prepare physically before attempting to move heavy objects?
Before moving heavy items, warm up your muscles with light exercises to prevent strains. Maintain proper posture and use appropriate lifting techniques like bending the knees and keeping the back straight. Wear supportive footwear and gloves to improve grip and stability during the move.
Moving Heavy Furniture by Yourself
Moving heavy furniture by yourself is a daunting task, and it is not recommended that you move anything that is extremely heavy by yourself, such as large appliances, oversized furniture, etc. However, if you are attempting to move heavy boxes or objects that you can get a good grip on and maintain proper lifting techniques while doing so, there are things you can do to make it as safe as possible to attempt.
Start by clearing the path and ensuring there are no obstacles in the way to make the moving process easier. Lift with your legs, not your back, and use proper lifting techniques to avoid injuries. Consider using furniture sliders to help move heavy items across floors with ease. These small but effective tools can make a significant difference in maneuvering furniture without straining yourself.
If the furniture is too heavy or awkward to move alone or it is some kind of large appliance, find some help to move the item. You should never attempt to move something beyond your ability to do so, as this can result in serious injury or damage to your stuff and home!
Use 1-800-PACK-RAT to Make Your Move As Easy As Possible
1-800-PACK-RAT is here to help provide you with a helper to make your move as simple as possible. We have third-party professional labor providers who have the muscle and tools needed to easily move your heaviest stuff so that you don't have to. And if you need moving supplies or auto transportation services, we can help provide that as well!
We here at 1-800-PACK-RAT want to be your one-stop shop for your entire move - from the containers that are dropped off at your home that you can pack at your pace to the packing and unpacking of the containers. We can provide an end-to-end solution all from one company! Let us handle the driving and logistics so you don't have to!
Our local and long-distance moving services have flexibility and convenience in mind. If you need to store your stuff, you can keep your container on-site at your home for as long as you need or store it in one of our nationwide warehouse facilities until you need it again.
Make your moving and storage needs simple - give us a call or go online for a free quote and get your container delivery scheduled today!