If you're about to relocate or simply want to rearrange, having to move heavy furniture is a huge job. However, experienced furniture removalists use special techniques that make the task much simpler.
Use these expert tips to move your heavy and cumbersome items without injuring your back or your furniture.
MOVING A COUCH
It is extremely difficult to maneuver a couch and make it turn into a room when moving it down a hallway and through a door.
Place the couch on its end and slide it to the doorway. This provides more flexibility and a better angle to maneuver it through the opening.
HANDLING A MATTRESS
It is quite a challenge to move a hefty, floppy mattress. It is much easier if you can get assistance from a strong friend or neighbour.
Although many mattresses feature handles, these handles are not particularly strong because their actual purpose is simply to assist in positioning the mattress. Instead of using the handles, consider the following technique:
- Create a straightforward rope sling to offer you and your assistant far more control. The rope should be threaded through the mattress handles.
- Make the rope more comfortable to grip by sliding a piece of PVC pipe over the rope then loop and tie the ends.
TAKE APART EVERYTHING POSSIBLE
Keep in mind that you can always remove the feet from a sofa to reduce its size by a few inches when moving it through a doorway.
You can make any item of furniture lighter or slimmer by removing parts. For example shelves, drawers, legs, racks and knobs are all easily removed.
SLIDE OR DRAG — DO NOT CARRY
Place slides under furniture and drag them along at every opportunity.
Furniture slides are readily available in many sizes and shapes at hardware stores and online. Home-made sliders made from Frisbees, old bedspreads, plastic containers, carpet ends and towels all work perfectly well.
Another handy tip from expert furniture removalists is for handling recliner chairs.
REMOVE THE BACKS OF RECLINER CHAIRS
Never lift a recliner by the back or footrest; always do so from the sides. To prevent the footrest from opening unexpectedly, tie it shut.
To remove the back:
- Locate the brackets on the back frame.
- Remove the brackets from the chair by lifting the locking levers on each side (you may need long-nose pliers for this).
- Slide the back straight up to lift it out.
PROTECT YOUR FURNITURE
Moving blankets come in quite handy for safeguarding both your home and the things you're relocating. You can buy them at hardware centres for a reasonable cost. However, you can save money by making use of old blankets and rugs that you have on hand.
Contact furniture removalists for more information.
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