7 Tips for Moving Large Items Safely

Posted Moving Tips and Tricks / May 26, 2022
Julie Grace

Originally from The Golden City, Julie has explored the ins and outs of moving and has written all the tips down.

Moving large items can be a grueling task, and many things can go wrong (especially when moving overseas). You can easily damage your possessions when you relocate and transport them, but more importantly, you can injure yourself. Therefore, it is helpful to get acquainted with some methods and techniques for relocating large items before the actual process.

Tip #1 – Moving Large Items Such as Pieces of Furniture Can Be Made Easier

Stress when relocating is a natural occurrence. However, when you are faced with the task of relocating furniture, the situation can feel much worse. But, fear not, here you will find moving hacks that will teach you how to move something heavy.

These tips will help you save your strength when relocating heavy objects, which will increase the efficiency of the entire process. Moreover, if you follow them, you will lower the risk of getting injured. That’s why knowing how to move heavy items is important. It is not all down to brute force.

When Moving, Disassemble the Big Furniture as Much as You Can

When you are faced with the challenge of lifting and moving large pieces of furniture, try to reduce the weight as much as you can. The best way to do this is to disassemble a heavy item into separate smaller parts. This will facilitate lifting and carrying greatly, and you will not have to expend so much energy.

For home furniture like bedroom cabinets or chests of drawers, you can take out all the shelves and drawers. When it comes to living room couches, it may seem that you will have to pick up the entire piece, but often, that is not the case. Try to find the instruction manual if you have received one or seek professional help from the company that made that household item. Couches are usually made of separate parts, especially the new ones, and they can easily be disassembled for easier storage.

The most frequent relocating mistake that people make when moving furniture or some other big household objects is trying to save time and lifting an item instantaneously. This often leads to irreparable damage to your property, and in the worst-case scenario, your back can get severely hurt.

Tip #2 – Protect Your Items While You Move Them

After you decide what to pack when moving abroad, start the process by wrapping the household objects with any linen or blankets that you can find. While carrying a cupboard, for example, you can easily lose your balance under the weight and hit your cupboard against the wall. Furthermore, the protective layer can alleviate the pain that your palms might be experiencing while you are carrying a certain object. Thus, your grip is much stronger.

Also, while the objects are being transported and placed in storage, there can be many undesirable collisions and bumps. Therefore, it is important to encase your property with such protective layers.

You can find special blankets that are designed for relocating services, but you can make do with your old home blankets as well. The most important thing when covering your objects is to tightly fasten the blankets with tape or rubber bands. Although the furniture is sturdy, it needs to be handled with the same care as when packing fragile items.

Tips #3 – When There Is an Opportunity, Use the Sliding Method

You will want to make the process of carrying as effortless as you can. Therefore, if there is an opportunity to avoid heavy lifting, you should do so. Your back will be most thankful to you. If you have to move a sturdy object in your home to another room, sliding can render it immensely easier.

However, do not forget to protect your floor. You would not want to see marks on your new parquet once you have finished the task. So, before starting, place some old linen or an old rug beneath the object that you are about to push. Not only will your floor be protected, but also much less physical effort will be needed. Here is a video that demonstrates how you can use a simple rug to move an object.

Tip #4 – Use Special Tools That Make Carrying Heavier Objects Easier

  • Lifting straps – You have probably seen how a piano is moved from a tall building by movers. It is attached to long straps and slowly brought down. Well, there exist straps that you can place on your body, mainly on your shoulders, that will help you lift bigger objects. When you have straps, the weight is much more evenly distributed across your body parts.
  • Utility dolly – This tool is ideal for relocating boxes. It is basically a cart with two wheels onto which you can stack a certain number of boxes. Bear in mind that you do not have to buy one. You can visit the nearest storage service and rent one.
  • Sliders – Sliders are professional substitutions for old linen and blankets that we have mentioned with regard to the sliding technique. Usually, they are made of plastic materials and are easily placed underneath an object. They will completely protect your floor against scratches, and they will render the relocation much easier.
  • Stair rollers – Stair rollers are used to facilitate the process of carrying an object while going down the stairs. It is a cart that has multiple wheels at one end, while on the other, it has a handle that is used for pushing. You attach the object with straps and slowly push it down the stairs. When using this tool, it is best to have another person present at the other end of the roller, especially if you feel that the weight is overwhelming.
  • Ramps – Always place ramps if you have an obstacle that you need to pass, such as a doorstep. Carrying hefty objects over doorsteps can be very tiring, and there is a greater risk of damaging your object or injuring yourself. Simply place a ramp over the doorstep and slide the object across it. This simple action will preserve your stamina tremendously.

Some of these items are not the most common things in people’s homes. That’s why the lifting of heavy objects is left to the professionals with the right equipment. However, before hiring movers check (just in case) with them are there some bulky items they won’t move.

Tip #5 – Ask Your Friends if They Are Available to Assist You

Let us face it, no one likes to lift and carry hefty objects, but if you have good friends, definitely contact them for assistance. Doing all the lifting alone is extremely tiring and requires a long period of time. Many things simply cannot be moved by yourself because of the weight. In addition to this, the majority of the tools that we have listed above require at least two people.

One more person will speed up the entire process immensely. More importantly, having another person beside you increases the overall safety of the process. We are sure that you will approach this issue seriously, but if something unpredictable happens, it is best to have someone in the vicinity that is ready to immediately help you.

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Tip #6 – Have a Clear Plan Before Any Relocation Is Done

You’ll be living in a new country, which means you are relocating to a new apartment, so it is advisable to compose a packing list for relocating before starting anything. Then, you should have a cut-and-dried plan, or a new apartment checklist, of where you are going to place the household objects in your new home. Changing the location of a certain object multiple times is extremely time-consuming and, more importantly, you will waste precious energy. Having a plan ensures that the relocating is stress-free.

Tip #7 – If You Have the Means, Use the Movers’ Service

Moving large items across the world is a task that is not easily done without professional services, especially when it comes to moving overseas. In such situations, it is best to contact an overseas shipping company and employ their services. You should look for qualified movers to relocate all your belongings to a new destination. If you are moving abroad alone, without such services it will be difficult for you to relocate.

They are extremely useful when it comes to moving internationally since they offer packing service, and if it is required, storage services as well. It is incredibly difficult to perform all these tasks by yourself, and having a reliable mover saves you a lot of trouble. These people will perform all the actions of packing and loading, and with great speed transport your objects to your new destination. And while they do, you’ll have enough time to tie loose ends by collecting documents, saying goodbye to friends, and looking for a job abroad.

Movers Vouch for Each and Every Item That They Load Onto Their Trucks

When you employ a reliable mover, you do not have to worry about the safety of your things. They know all the techniques and procedures for carrying heavy objects. Furthermore, they will apply any necessary protection such as the ones that we have mentioned before. And they’ll pack all you need them to.

Most importantly, with a renowned and trustworthy mover, you will know that your possessions are in safe hands and that they will reach your destination at the agreed time.

Moving Heavy Objects Is Effortless When You Employ a Good Mover

As you have seen from this article, when you know the appropriate techniques, have the proper tools, and there are friends beside you for assistance, lifting and relocating large objects is not that hard. However, employing a reliable international moving company to do the relocating for you is the best possible way to approach this situation. You will not have to worry about the safety of your possessions, and primarily, you will not have to place yourself in situations where you might injure yourself.

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