Preparing furniture for a move in Delaware or storing it for future use often raises concerns about potential damage and accumulated dirt. However, with the right preparation, you can alleviate these worries and maintain your furniture in excellent condition.
Whether you’re planning to shift heavy sofas or fragile dining tables within Delaware or beyond, it's crucial to wrap your items properly. In just a few steps, you can protect your furniture from the common bumps and scrapes associated with moving.
Let's explore some handy tips and tricks that will help protect your furniture, aiming for its arrival in the same condition it left.
Why Wrap Your Furniture For Moving and Storage?
Prevent Damage: Wrapping furniture reduces the risk of damage such as scratches, dents or moisture. This layer of protection using materials like bubble wrap, furniture pads, or blankets per furniture item is vital.
Maintain Cleanliness: Protective materials help keep your furniture clean during the moving or storage process, safeguarding against dirt and dust, which are common in storage areas.
Improve Handling: Securely wrapped furniture is easier to handle. Plastic wrap improves grip, which is helpful, especially for heavy furniture, minimizing the chance of accidental drops.
Offer Structural Protection: Adequate buffering materials, such as corrugated cardboard sheets or edge protectors, maintain the structural integrity of delicate pieces such as antique furniture or glass tabletops.
Long-term Storage: Wrapping furniture for extended storage helps prevent potential damage from condensation and pests, helping it stay in good condition.
Increase Resale Value: A well-maintained piece of furniture retains more value; thorough wrapping helps protect it from various forms of damage, keeping it in like-new condition.
How to Wrap Furniture For Moving and Storage
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you begin packing your furniture, it's crucial to have all the necessary materials at hand. Collect a variety of packing supplies to help protect your furniture from damage during transit. Whether you're moving a delicate glass table or a sturdy dining table, having the right tools is the first step in protecting your furniture’s safety. Getting everything you need before you start also saves time and helps streamline the entire process.
Consider the following packing materials:
Bubble wrap
Moving blankets
Plastic stretch wrap
Cardboard sheets
Packing tape
Marker pens for labeling
Step 2: Clean and Disassemble
Cleaning your furniture before packing is crucial as it removes any dust and debris that might cause scratches during movement. After cleaning, the disassembly process begins. Remove any parts that can be detached.
This reduces the risk of damage and also makes the furniture easier to maneuver through doorways and load into moving vehicles. Remember, smaller parts are easier to handle and pack, which can lead to fewer complications and damages.
The following items will likely need to be detached:
Table legs
Shelves
Drawers
Handles
Doors with glass
Removable decorative elements
Step 3: Protect Delicate Areas
After disassembling your furniture, shift focus to protecting areas prone to damage. Use bubble wrap and cardboard to safeguard fragile parts such as glass elements or angular corners. Make sure to secure the padding firmly with packing tape to prevent it from slipping during transport.
This additional padding acts as a buffer against scratches and other damages, especially when dealing with antique glass or other delicate items. Taking steps to protect these areas effectively will help maintain the condition of your furniture during the move.
Focus particular attention on:
Glass elements
Angular corners
Delicate surfaces
Vulnerable edges
Joints
Leg ends
Step 4: Wrap With Moving Blankets
To prevent scratches and dents on larger surfaces, cover each piece of furniture with moving blankets. Secure the blankets with packing tape so they stay in place. Moving blankets are particularly helpful for wrapping large items.
They provide a thick protective layer that shields against impacts during transport. By covering your furniture comprehensively, you add an essential layer of protection that can help prevent costly damages.
Wrap and secure key furniture pieces such as:
Sofas
Dining tables
Cabinets
Desks
Chairs
Bookcases
Step 5: Apply Plastic Wrap
After covering your furniture with blankets, the next step is to wrap everything in plastic wrap. This layer is crucial as it secures the moving blankets and provides additional protection against moisture and dirt.
The plastic wrap should be tightly wound around the furniture to eliminate any loose ends or bulges that could catch on obstacles. This wrapping technique is particularly important for items with upholstery or those that are sensitive to dust and water.
Ensure total coverage with plastic wrap, especially:
Upholstered items
Wood surfaces
Fragile items
Items sensitive to water
Sofa cushions
Any previously disassembled parts
Step 6: Label Each Piece
Once your furniture is securely wrapped, it’s necessary to label each piece. This can save you a great deal of hassle when unpacking and reassembling your furniture at your new home. Use a marker to write on the tape or use labels to note what each piece is and which room it belongs to.
For disassembled parts, specify which main piece they belong to. Accurate labeling streamlines the reassembly and organizing process, helping each piece go exactly where it’s intended.
Labels can include information such as:
Room designation
Contents description
Assembly instructions
Handling care
Owner information
List of components
Step 7: Prepare for Transport
The last step in preparing your furniture for moving or storage involves a thorough check to confirm that everything is ready for transport. Examine the stability of the wrapping and padding to ensure all items are securely fastened and will remain in place during transit. This helps prevent any damage or displacement while on the move. Organize your furniture in a way that maximizes space and protects each piece from friction or pressure.
Heavier items should go on the bottom and lighter, more delicate items on top. Once everything is loaded, use straps or bungee cords to secure the furniture in place, preventing any movement that could lead to damage during transit.
How to Wrap Furniture for Shipping
To safeguard against impacts, apply a shock-absorbing layer of bubble wrap, especially around corners and edges, with cardboard.
Secure all detachable parts, such as doors with glass or loose components, in sealable plastic bags and wrap them individually.
Corner protectors are invaluable for guarding sharp corners and delicate surfaces from accidental knocks and bumps.
Use extensive layers of plastic wrap to protect the entirety of your furniture from external elements.
Label correctly as 'Fragile' to prompt handlers to treat your goods with extra care, particularly for furniture with delicate elements.
How to Plastic Wrap Furniture for Moving
Start with a barrier layer of clean furniture upholstery fabric sheets to prevent direct contact of plastic wrap with furniture surfaces.
Fully encapsulate each piece in a clingy material like plastic wrap, which helps defend against dirt and minor damages.
Provide extra padding on points like arms and legs from tables to buffer against scratches and bumps.
Seal the wrap tightly to form a protective shield around the entire piece, reinforcing larger areas with additional layers.
Frequent checks for tightness can prevent the furniture in plastic from shifting, which might cause abrasions or damage.
How to Wrap Furniture With Moving Blankets
Lay down blankets from edge to edge, covering the entire piece and providing full coverage, particularly on angular corners and exterior surfaces.
Secure the blankets with packing tape, creating a tight seal without letting the tape contact furniture surfaces to avoid residue.
Extra fold blankets around the most exposed areas to provide a more robust layer against potential risks during transit.
Indicate handling instructions on the outside of the wrapping to aid movers in proper transportation and placement.
How to Wrap a Chair for Moving
To protect each leg from potential damage, separately wrap the chair legs with individual cushioning and secure with packing tape.
Envelop the entire chair with layers of plastic, providing a continuous shield against stains and scratches.
For chairs with upholstery, extra care should be taken by placing an extra soft cloth between the plastic and the fabric to avoid damage.
Labeling each wrapped chair with 'Top' and 'Bottom' can help movers handle the chairs correctly, reducing the risk of damage.
FAQs
What Is Best to Wrap Furniture in When Moving?
When moving, it is crucial to protect your furniture using the appropriate wrapping materials to prevent any damage. Blankets with packing tape are commonly used for wooden furniture like dining tables and cabinets, providing a buffer against scratches and dents.
For delicate items such as coffee tables with glass tops or antique glass, using bubble wrap offers additional padding and security. Always pay extra attention to angular corners and consider using specialized paper padding for an efficient boxing-up process.
Is It OK to Wrap Furniture in Plastic for Storage?
Wrapping furniture in plastic for storage can be beneficial under certain conditions, especially where moisture and dust are concerns. Plastic can act as a barrier against environmental factors in a climate-controlled setting, which is ideal for items like comfy couches or desk chairs.
However, it's important to avoid completely sealing antique wooden furniture in plastic as it may trap moisture, leading to damage over time. Instead, consider using drop cloths or breathable materials that allow air circulation.
What Is the Best Way to Wrap a Couch for Storage?
To effectively wrap a couch for storage, start by covering it with specialized sofa blankets and securing it with packing tape. Make sure that all parts of the couch, including couch cushions, are fully covered to avoid scratches and fabric wear.
For additional protection, layer bubble wrap around areas susceptible to damage. This combo of blankets and bubble wrap helps maintain the couch's condition, even in varying climate conditions.
What Is the Best Material to Cover Furniture in Storage?
The best material to cover furniture in storage depends on the type of furniture and storage conditions. For robust protection, use thick blankets or custom-fitted covers designed for specific pieces like sofas and cabinets.
To safeguard against moisture and pests, particularly in non-climate-controlled environments, utilize synthetic covers like vinyl or polyester. Always remember to provide ample padding at the bottom to prevent damaging floors, and take extra care to preserve your furniture's integrity during storage.
Secure Your Furniture With COWs of Delaware—Your Trusted Moving Partner!
The importance of wrapping furniture, whether for short-term or long-term storage, cannot be overstated. Effective wrapping prevents damage and keeps furniture in pristine condition.
If you are seeking professional assistance in Delaware, look no further than the COWs of Delaware. Our specialized wrapping techniques and materials exceed industry standards, helping to prevent potential damage during both transit and storage.
Choose COWs of Delaware for your storage and moving needs to guarantee the best care for your belongings. Call today and let us help you secure your valuable furniture with confidence!