How to Effectively Use Moving Blankets for a Safe Move
Moving to a new office or house requires thorough planning to secure your valuables against scratches and damage. Among the best materials used to protect furniture, appliances, and breakables is moving blankets. The thick, padded blankets protect against dents, scratches, and breakage when moving. In this article, we will explain how to utilize moving blankets effectively for a stress-free and damage-free relocation.
Why Move Blankets Are Necessary
Moving blankets are a padding between your belongings and the rough handling of shipping. They have the following advantages:
- Furniture protection: Protects furniture, walls, and floors against damage.
- Shock absorption: Minimizes impact from vibrations and bumps during transportation.
- Packing materials: Great for wrapping appliances, mirrors, paintings, and other fragile items.
- Budget-friendly moving tricks: Reusable and less expensive than buying individual-use protective gear.
Types of Moving Blankets
There are various types of packaging materials, which offer varying degrees of protection:
- Light blankets: Ideal for covering fragile items that need minimal protection.
- Standard blankets: Offer medium padding for standard home decor.
- Heavy-duty blankets: Strong and thick, suitable for covering furniture and objects
How to Use Moving Blankets Effectively
1. Drape Larger Items and Furniture
Wrap the furniture entirely with padding and cushioning to cover them from scratches, dust, and dirt. Use moving straps, shrink wrap, or heavy-duty tape to secure the blankets. On big furniture such as sofas, make sure the blanket covers all the exposed surfaces.
2. Protect Fragile Items
Wrap fragile items such as mirrors, glass tables, and paintings with packing material. Fold the blanket around the object and tape it securely. Adding a layer of bubble wrap between the blanket provides shock protection.
3. Cushion Appliances
Wrap household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens in thick blankets to prevent dents and scratches. Secure the blankets with bungee cords or tape so that they remain intact while in transit.
4. Floors and Walls of Moving Trucks
Put packing materials on the floor of the moving truck to provide a cushioned surface that will keep items from sliding. Blankets against the walls keep furniture from hitting the truck’s interior during movement.
5. Wrap Sharp Edges
Furniture pieces that have sharp edges, such as tables and bed frames, are likely to scratch other objects. Edges are padded and cushioned for extra protection and to avoid accidental scratches.
6. Stack Items with Protection
When piling furniture onto the truck while moving, place packing material between the items so that they do not rub against each other. This will avoid scuff marks and damage.
7. Store Loose Parts
For furniture items with removable components, such as drawers or removable legs, wrap the latter individually using heavyweight blankets so that they do not move and get damaged during transport.
Additional Tips for Moving Blankets
Use adequate blankets: Cover all the delicate and valuable items adequately.
- Select the appropriate type of blanket: Employ heavy-duty blankets for heavy objects and light blankets for fragile articles.
- Pack with other materials: Wrap the furniture with stretch wrap, tape, or straps for added protection.
- Fold and store for later use: Recycle packaging materials in subsequent moves or as protective coverings for stored goods.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not keeping blankets in position: Loose blankets shift around, uncovering items.
Excessively using insufficient blankets: Lack of proper cover raises the damage risk
Leaving out the little things: Even the tiniest of furniture items can be padded and cushioned
Neglecting the placement of blankets within the truck: Proper lining of the moving truck prevents avoidable damage.
Conclusion
Competent use of moving blankets ensures a hassle-free and damage-free move. From appliances to furniture, and from fragile items to any other item to be wrapped, these packing supplies provide the cushioning and protection needed. The right techniques applied safeguard your possessions and ensure your move is hassle-free. Buy thick blankets and utilize them sparingly to cover your precious items at each stage of the moving process.
Yes, the moving blanket can be reused. These made-from-polyester blends or cotton comprise durable materials to withstand multiple uses. It can also be folded away for safekeeping for future moves. Or it can be used for the protection of stored items, for DIY-type projects or even as bedding for pets.
While an ordinary blanket may afford minor protection, it cannot even begin to approach the padding and durability of a moving blanket. Moving blankets serve the special purpose of preventing scrapes, dents, and cracks during the move. Unlike ordinary blankets that slip and tear at pressure points, moving ones will leave your belongings wide open for some serious damage
The typical moving blanket sizes reach up to 72 x 80 inches, thus accommodating standard furniture items like dressers, divans, or tables. However, the actual sizes might be altered a few inches up or down by different manufacturers. Whenever specific and odd-shaped or heavy items require coverage, it is always prudent to check the sizes.
