Lifting heavy objects incorrectly can lead to painful injuries or even damage to your home and belongings. Carrying large furniture and heavy boxes will always come with challenges but with the right preparation and proper technique, it’s possible to handle them without straining your back or scuffing your walls. To prevent issues, anyone with an upcoming move should familiarize themselves with these tips for moving heavy items.

Plan Your Route

Before starting your move, decide which path you’ll take with your belongings. Sometimes the most direct route isn’t the easiest. Choosing a slightly longer path may allow you to use wider doorways, avoid a narrow staircase or steer clear of obstacles such as a fountain or a winding hallway.

By planning your route, you’ll also be able to protect delicate structures, such as banisters or set up helpful equipment, such as a ramp, to navigate potential trouble spots more easily. Finally, once you’ve decided which way you’ll be going, make sure the path is clear of obstacles, such as furniture and boxes. Carrying bulky items limits your visibility, making it much harder to avoid tripping hazards while handling a heavy load.

Get the Right Equipment

Moving heavy items becomes easier with the right gear. It reduces the effort needed to move objects and helps prevent damage to your home. Depending on the size of your move, you’ll need:

  • Dollies and Hand Trucks: Though the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, a dolly is a four-wheeled square platform, while a hand truck is a two-wheeled, L-shaped moving cart. They eliminate or significantly reduce the strain of transporting boxes and oversized items.
  • Ramps: Installing a ramp over your front steps or between different levels in your home removes tripping hazards and creates safer pathways throughout the house.
  • Moving Straps or Shoulder Dollies: These fit under the furniture and around your shoulders, distributing the weight evenly across your body’s load-bearing muscles to help reduce fatigue.
  • Sliders: Small discs placed under furniture that allow you to slide it easily across the floor. They reduce effort and help prevent scratching. A blanket or towel can also work. Simply lift each corner of your furniture, place the blanket underneath and pull it to where you need it. Thick blankets work best and won’t tear when dragging large furniture.
  • Gloves: Wearing gloves helps protect your hands from sharp edges. They also prevent dirt and oils from your skin from transferring onto your belongings.

Remove and Empty Drawers

Drawers may not weigh much on their own but when you’re moving a desk or dresser, every bit of weight adds up. If the drawers can’t be removed, make sure they’re completely empty. Keeping your furniture as light as possible will also make it easier to maneuver.

Disassemble Your Furniture

Anything in your home that can be taken apart should be. Disassembled furniture is easier to carry and transport, and it allows you to use the space in your moving van more efficiently.

Use Proper Technique

Repeatedly bending and lifting heavy items can lead to serious lower back pain. Carrying them in an unbalanced position can also result in accidents. The best way to move heavy objects is to:

  • Keep Your Back Straight: This allows your knees, hips and legs to absorb the weight, while your back and abdominal muscles help keep you stable.
  • Don’t Twist Your Back: Twisting or turning your back while carrying a heavy object places significant stress on your muscles and spine. If you need to turn, rotate your entire body instead.
  • Carry Items Close to Your Chest: This helps you maintain balance and keeps the weight on your arms and shoulders rather than your back.
  • Carry Items High and Low: When moving tall items, have one person hold the top while the other supports the bottom. This keeps the weight centered and prevents it from swinging uncontrollably.

Wrap Furniture in Blankets

Moving blankets protect your furniture from bumps and scratches, as well as any rain or dirt they may encounter during the moving process. They also help protect your home. In fact, covering doors, banisters and other delicate structures with blankets is a smart way to keep them from getting dinged or damaged.

Wrap your furniture as tightly as possible, then secure it with plastic stretch wrap. Unlike tape, plastic wrap sticks to itself without leaving behind any residue. This keeps your bundles compact and easy to handle while ensuring your belongings remain protected from damage.

Wear Appropriate Shoes

When moving heavy items, the last thing you want is for one of them to fall and land on your toes. In case something goes wrong, make sure your feet are protected by wearing closed-toe shoes. Unlike sandals, closed-toe shoes cover your entire foot, provide solid arch support, won’t slip off easily and help reduce the risk of blisters.

Ask For Help

Most of the heavy objects in your home are too large to move on your own. Ask at least one friend or family member to help. You can also consider hiring a professional moving team. They’ll not only have the proper tools and supplies but the experience to match. After years of handling heavy items, they’ll know how to guide them safely through tight spaces.

Moving with STI

STI is a full-service moving company. We don’t just load and transport your belongings. We assist with every part of the moving process, including preparing and packing your items. Our team can provide everything you need, from boxes and blankets to plastic wrap. Our experienced crews know how to move heavy items quickly and safely. They can even help disassemble and reassemble your furniture. Every service is customizable. Choose the level of support that fits your needs and your budget. Contact us today for a free quote!