How To Move Furniture Scratch-Free
If you’ve ever moved from one home or office to another, you probably had to take your existing furniture with you. And that furniture, as well as the building interior, might have gotten a little scratched along the way.
Hey, it’s no big deal. Scratches show character, right? Actually, what they really show is that whoever moved the furniture didn’t take precautions to protect it or the new digs. Never fear, though. Your next move doesn’t have to add any more “character” to your furniture or wherever you’re moving to and from. Read on for five tips on how to move furniture without scratching it or any interiors. (Here’s some info on how mobile storage can work for you).
1. Look before you leap.
Did you ever hear the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Well, that saying applies when moving furniture. Before you even lay a finger on that desk, couch or table, plan how you need to move it from one place to another. If necessary, walk through the route you intend to take.
You might discover there are sharp angles or obstacles that might lead to scratches on the walls, floors and the items of furniture you want to move. Planning also involves preparing the area where the furniture is currently located, and where it will wind up. Remove any possible obstacles, such as curling carpeting that could cause someone to trip.
If there are fixtures extending from the wall that could scratch the furniture, try to cover them so they won’t damage anything. Remember that jewelry, watches and belt buckles can scratch furniture, too. Either take them off or cover them when moving.
2. Cleanliness is next to godliness (and scratch-free floors).
Another part of the planning process is cleaning. It might sound like an added hassle when you’ve already got a list as long as your arm of things to do. However, sweeping and mopping can save your floors from scratches. Why will a little cleaning go a long way? Bits of dirt can get caught underneath furniture when it’s moved. Get rid of the dirt, and get rid of the possibility of scratches.
3. Put a little distance between your furniture and your floors.
When you’re finally ready to move your furniture, put something beneath it to prevent scratches. That “something” could be carpet remnants, towels or cardboard. If you decide to use carpet remnants (or a small, folded-up rug), put the soft, fuzzy side on the floor. While cardboard might not work as well as towels or carpeting, it’s better than nothing. And just because an object has wheels, that doesn’t mean it can’t scratch floors.
Gently lift one side of the furniture you’re moving, and slide the carpet, towel or cardboard underneath. Then, lift the other side and put your floor guard of choice below it. The furniture will glide across the room.
4. Layering is in when it comes to scratch protection.
Wrap your furniture in layers of the appropriate protective covering to prevent scratches. The type of object will determine what type and how much wrapping you need.
Natural or synthetic paper, plastic sheeting and cloth are best for fragile surfaces. Be careful the cover could get stuck to the surface of the furniture and cause more harm than good. A sealed plywood case might be best for antique items. If you’re uncertain as to which cover to use, contact the manufacturer if possible.
5. Be careful.
It probably sounds like pretty obvious advice, but we sometimes forget to take care when we’re stressed or in a rush (and as we all know, moving can be a pretty stressful experience). Pay attention to what you’re doing when you’re moving furniture, especially if it’s a large and heavy item. Being cautious about scratching the furniture, the walls and the floors might also mean you have to go much more slowly than you would like.
So, build extra time into the moving process to keep your stuff and interior in good condition. Remember, while it might be tempting to drag the item across the floor, don’t! Not only can dragging lead to scratches, but it could also cause said object to break.
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