Moving furniture is seldom a fun task, especially when moving it upstairs. But, knowing the proper techniques to get the job done efficiently can make it more manageable. Here are a few tips to make the moving process simpler and safer.
Remove Drawers Or Tape Shut
Before moving a dresser upstairs, remove everything from the drawers. If the dresser is light enough, it makes the most sense to tape the drawers shut so that they don’t move in the process. Be sure to use masking or painting tape to protect the enamel. If it is a heavier, solid wood dresser, removing the drawers to make multiple trips may be easier.
Protect Your Mirrors, Furniture, And Walls
When moving a mirror, protect the glass by wrapping it with a large blanket or towels. The process of moving upstairs and around corners could easily cause damage to the mirror.
Most furniture has some type of sharp edge to it. Similar to mirrors, place blankets or towels around the ends of furniture to help protect it from damage. Wrap the blankets or towels tightly around the furniture. Once you have all areas covered, you can use masking or painting tape to secure the wrapping.
Bumping the wall is a common occurrence when moving furniture, and delicate pieces can be damaged easily. Wrapping your furniture can help protect both your furniture and your walls.
Use The Correct Tools
In order to protect yourself and the furniture, you may want to use a strap-harness. This will allow the furniture to be secured to your body without just using your hands. Make sure to secure the straps to your body as well as the furniture.
Hand trucks can also be used when moving furniture upstairs. Always walk backward when moving the furniture up the stairs, and pull the hand truck up over one stair at a time.
Coordinate With Your Partner
Moving furniture is usually not a one-person job. We recommend you have someone help you, especially when stairs are involved. You and your moving partner need to communicate clearly throughout the moving process. If you are using a moving harness—or “shoulder dolly”— be sure that you’re both comfortable with using it and adjust it appropriately.
When moving up and down steps, make sure the person facing forward and the person facing backward are moving simultaneously. Use verbal cues when navigating corners and smaller areas. Speak up if that wall is getting a little too close or if certain moving positions are painful. If you’re trying to move by yourself or need extra assistance, contact a professional mover. Whether moving across town or the country, Carmack Moving & Storage offers professional moving services in Northern Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and nationwide. Request a quote today.
