How to Pack and Load Furniture and Appliances

Unwieldy but invaluable, your furniture and appliances won't move themselves. Here are some tips for getting them from point A to point B - working, and in one piece.

Difficulty:

Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Wood 2X4s
• Work Gloves
• Appropriate Dollies
• Duct Tape
• Masking Tape
• Old Blankets
• Adhesive Tape
• Packaging Tape
• Waterproof Tape
• Electrical Tapes
• Pry Bars

1. Rent, borrow or buy an appliance dolly for major appliances, stacks of boxes and furniture.

2. Use a piano dolly for a piano or other large pieces. Follow instructions carefully.

3. Consider buying a pry bar and a few 2-by-4s to leverage heavier appliances.

4. Wrap items that need protection in old blankets.

5. Disassemble beds, dressers and chests before moving. If you have a waterbed, drain it first.

6. Save your energy! Place half of a blanket under a couch's side legs, then grab the other end of the blanket and carefully pull. This will work to move chairs and tables across a room and may save you effort.

7. Cover good furniture with blankets or old sheets.

8. Disassemble appliances as much as possible. Pack and label loose components separately. Tape electrical cords to backs of appliances and tape doors shut.

9. Load heaviest appliances and furniture into trailer first. Distribute weight evenly from side to side.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear work gloves.

• A good appliance dolly is 60 inches high or taller and has a cinch strap and locking mechanism. It should be rated for a load of at least 500 pounds. A dolly with a slider or stepper between the two wheels is preferable.

• Loading heavy furniture and applicances is not a one-person job. Get help.

• Pianos are fragile. If have doubts about your ability to move one safely, call a professional.

• Lift carefully. Bend at the knees, or you can do serious injury to your back.

• Use the right tool - don't use a stock dolly (less than 60 inches tall and with no cinch strap) to move appliances.

• Be sure to secure sleeper sofas - you don't want the sleeper unit to spring out during the move.