If you've struggled to move household items to a new destination, you know how tricky it is to move furniture and fragile, flimsy articles without breakage or scratches. What might interest you is how a heavy-duty, thickly padded moving blanket could make home moving less stressful and save you the blushes of staring at repair bills. We're here to satisfy your curiosity about how moving blankets makes your journey across the country or around the block much easier than you would imagine.
Types of Moving Blankets
Moving blankets are wrapping material or coverings composed of woven or textile fabric purposed for protecting furniture and household goods during a local or long-distance move. Moving blankets come in a combination of cotton, polyester, or recycled materials.
Fortunately, custom moving blankets come in different varieties to suit the size, dimensions, and type of material of household goods and personal effects.
- Woven moving blankets
These are thicker polyester/cotton blended, quilted, heavy-duty blankets that cover high-value items to prevent breakage or scratching. Woven blankets may be more expensive but offer failsafe protection when moving large furniture items.
- Non-woven moving blankets
These are lighter fabrics and bindings woven on mechanical looms, which are cost-effective in moving the bulk of smaller and manageable-sized household items.
- Cotton moving blankets
You would opt for cotton quilted pads if the movable item needs extra layers of protective padding. Cotton pads are easier to handle and offer better cushioning.
- Polyester moving blankets
Polyester/cotton blended fabrics are moving blankets that offer higher strength and improved durability with greater capacity to withstand moisture, sand, and grit.
- Heavier vs. Lighter moving blankets
Lighter moving blankets (3 to 3.5 lbs) are typically non-woven, thinner synthetic materials with less cushioning that prevent rips, tears, and scratches. More lightweight pads are a good option when filling empty spaces in the moving truck.
The thicker moving blankets (5.5 to 6.5 lbs) are woven cotton or polyester materials intertwined into a multilayered super cushioning matrix, giving excellent protection to heavy furniture, sensitive antiques, and valuable items.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing Moving Blankets
There are many factors to consider before you choose which type of moving blanket you need and how to use it.
1. Work out how much you need to move
The first task is to list a meticulous inventory of the items in each room. It may be time-consuming, but it's the most accurate way to assess the number of blankets you need.
Here is a common yardstick for choosing the best moving blankets that furniture items require and deciding how many moving blankets do I need.
- The kitchen/dining room chair would need just 1 blanket
- Small/medium-sized dressers could consume 2 blankets
- The 4-person table might need 2 blankets
- A wardrobe or large dresser needs at least 3 blankets
2. Choose a thick or thin blanket
The thinner textile moving blanket is best proposed for all items which are not particularly valuable but you could do without them breaking or being damaged.
The woven quilt-like heavy-duty blankets are ideal for wrapping high-value items or anything you can't afford to break or scratch, cumbersome furniture, and antique fixtures.
3. Check prices and decide whether to buy or rent moving blankets
Whether it is a local move or a long-distance journey across the country, you must consider whether you should rent moving blankets or buy moving blankets.
Renting cheap moving blankets allows you to choose a wider variety of moving blankets in appropriate sizes and types, satisfying your needs. Rented blankets absolve you of the need to free valuable storage space for them in the new home.
Moving container companies and most rental truck firms are well-equipped to provide moving blankets rentals and will be more than willing to source rented moving blankets for you so long as you use their trucks and containers for moving your goods.
4. Where can I buy moving blankets?
If you are wondering where to buy moving blankets, consider moving blankets Walmart, Amazon, and US Cargo Control, which are excellent for sourcing high-quality moving blankets of the type and number that meet your every need. Exercise the purchase option only after checking out how much are moving blankets and if you're sure you can store them away in the destination home.
Preparation Before Use
Before using moving blankets, survey each room and judge each item against the need for moving blankets. The industry standard is moving blankets 72 x 80 inches, so it's easy to assess your requirement of blankets against the size and shape of home items.
Smaller items may require cluster packing in just one moving blanket:
- Nightstands and small tables
- Bookshelves and wall fittings that need to be wrapped
- Home appliances and mini-fridges
- Chairs, stools, and dining accessories
Techniques for Using Moving Blankets
Knowing how to use moving blankets is essential to a stress-free move. Here are a few expert tips:
Place the moving blanket in such a way that the blanket evenly covers the more oversized item without being too tight. If the item has a larger surface area, you could wrap two moving blankets in such a way as to protect the fragile, breakable parts fully.
To ensure blankets for moving stay firm and don't loosen up, you can use stretch wrapping or packing tape in different locations and work your way around the item.
When moving items outside the home and into the moving van, be mindful of the jutting edges of the furniture and avoid direct abrasive hits or prevent furniture from colliding with other objects.
The empty spaces within the moving van should be packed tightly with lighter moving blankets or foam fillers.
As a rule, it is safer to gather a dozen moving blankets to cover every five feet of carrying space within the moving truck, so if you're dealing with a 15-foot-long truck, it's safer to plan at least 36 moving blankets for ready use.
Special Tips for Loading and Unloading
#1 Taking inventory
Before loading, it's advisable to take a detailed inventory of all movable items and serially number them to ensure everything is accounted for. It becomes easier to plan the equipment you need, decide the type of carrier, and quickly unload at the destination without fuss.
#2 Selecting the carrier of the right dimension
After taking a complete inventory of your movables, you are in the best position to decide the truck size. Too small a truck means multiple journeys, whereas too big a container demands extra payments. Selecting the right truck saves you the blushes when you add up the bills.
#3 Get help where available
Gather friends and family members who can reduce your burden. Assign tasks carrying the items, arranging boxes, ensuring everything is noticed, making the loading/unloading experience efficient and time-saving.
#4 Label and document the items
Once the items are fully inventoried, prepare a detailed list recording and assign a number to each item. You will know what you are moving. It makes the unloading process much more manageable.
#5 Use moving equipment that lightens the burden
If you want to save yourself from the aches and pains of manual moving, try renting some essential loading/unloading equipment that mechanizes the moving.
L-shaped metallic framed lifters ease transportation.
Partition panels and bed frames can be moved using skid-resistant panel movers.
Furniture sliders help move heavy stuff without damage.
A ramp can function as a connecting bridge, allowing you to move items quickly with forklifts.
The side loader is as helpful as the forklift in moving heavy furniture.
#6 Prioritize the heavy items
Place the heaviest furniture and appliances at the bottom when loading items onto the truck.
The nightstands, cupboards, drawers, and other furniture should be stacked tightly against the walls to prevent jarring movement in transit.
Follow up with lighter items such as bedding, clothing, and footwear. Use boxes to fill all gaps and ensure a tighter fit.
#7 Ensure the safety of goods in transit
Cargo can't be allowed to transit in a loose and moveable condition. Therefore, securing the movable items is essential to prevent damage.
Use straps and ropes to tie the items to the truck bed and prevent sideways movement.
Tarps help protect the items from atmospheric pollution and bad weather.
Dunnage in light foamy airbags and cushions is a great way to fill open spaces and cushion the journey.
Use load bars with load locks to separate the items and prevent furniture from moving and colliding with other things.
Care and Maintenance of Moving Blankets
Extending the life and usefulness of the moving blanket should be your top priority.
Start by vacuuming the dust and particulate material from the blanket. Wash the blanket at home or using the commercial washing machine at the local laundromat with a gentle or delicate motion cycle. Hang the blankets out to dry after each wash, and follow the manufacturer's washing/maintenance instructions. Finally, store the blankets neatly packed in polythene dust-proof bags.
Conclusion
Moving home is much more complex once the decision to move becomes inevitable. Moving becomes infinitely more manageable when you zero in on moving blankets of either the rented or purchased variety.
Doorframes, furniture, floors and walls, antiquities, appliances, and fixtures need protection from damage, and moving blankets provide excellent cushioning. Moving blankets are invaluable and inexpensive, considering the high level of protection they guarantee.
Make sure you add moving blankets to the must-have list when you've completed inventorying your home assets, and make your next move more manageable, efficient, and stress-free.
