Moving Blankets: Why You Need Them When You Move

Quality supplies make all the difference when you’re planning a DIY move – choosing the right moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, packing paper, etc. But you will also need professional tools that help relocation go much smoother and make it safe for you and your belongings, such as moving dolly, straps, and of course, moving blankets.

You don’t want to have your floors and walls damaged while moving and moving blankets will help you accomplish that. In the following text, we’ll cover some basics and reasons why you should use moving blankets when you move.

furniture-wrapped-moving-blankets

What Are Moving Blankets?

Moving blankets are thick coverings used to protect your belongings when moving – think furniture, appliances, and other large household items. They’re also known as furniture pads and they look pretty much like a heavily padded quilt. The heavy-duty cloth absorbs shock and helps you avoid damages or scratches during a move. Together with moving straps or tape, moving blankets keep the item in place while moving.

How to Use Moving Blankets?

The procedure is relatively straightforward. Commence by unfurling the blanket and draping it over the object that requires safeguarding. Ensure that the blanket covers as much surface area as possible, and then proceed to affix it in place.

This can be accomplished by utilizing either moving straps or packing tape, depending on your preference or availability. Once you have confirmed that the blanket is securely fastened and will not dislodge, proceed with loading the item. If the item is excessively heavy, employ a moving dolly or another suitable tool to facilitate the process.

Can I Use Alternatives?

Using a proper moving blanket is always the best. It’s designed specifically for this purpose and its heavy-duty cloth will do the job perfectly. However, if you’re unable to find one and you have to protect the item quickly, you can improvise. Use a regular blanket instead or anything else that resembles it.

stacked-blanket

Why You Need Moving Blankets

Furniture blankets aka moving blankets are beneficial for several reasons. So, let’s go ahead and learn about those benefits in the following section.

Protect Floors

The flooring of a household is frequently subjected to damage during the process of relocation, owing to the ease with which it can be affected. The act of pushing and pulling furniture, utilizing dollies, and carrying and loading boxes or other items can all contribute to this.

Therefore, the primary rationale for requiring furniture blankets during a move is to establish a protective barrier between the floor and the items being transported. This will serve to mitigate the impact of any heavy objects that may fall onto the floor.

old-rugs

Protect Walls

Another area that commonly gets damaged by a move is the walls. Banged-up walls and chipped paint don’t come as a surprise when you’re moving house. That’s because it’s too easy to sideswipe your walls while carrying things out the door or down the stairs.

But the good news is that you can easily leave your walls in perfect condition if you use moving blankets. They’ll prevent any sharp furniture edges from causing damage.

Protect Furniture

In addition to preserving the integrity of your possessions, the utilization of moving blankets can also serve to safeguard and maintain their cleanliness. During the process of relocating to a new residence, it is not uncommon for items to accumulate dust and debris, particularly in inclement weather conditions.

Fortunately, the implementation of furniture blankets can effectively shield your belongings from such contaminants, ensuring that they remain in pristine condition upon arrival at your destination. Moreover, the act of covering items with protective blankets can prevent any shifting or displacement during transit.

Things are prone to shifting while being inside the truck that’s in motion and this can cause scratching but even falling and breaking. Luckily, moving blankets are sort of a buffer between stored items so you don’t have to worry about shifting. Lastly, moving blankets will protect the furniture legs from breaking – wrap the entire item in blankets to keep its legs intact in case the item drops on the floor.

protective-moving-blanket

Move Easier

The last reason why you need moving blankets when moving is they allow moving heavy items with ease. While using a moving dolly is usually the best way to move heavy objects, sometimes you’ll find it easier just to slide the item across the floor. Of course, you don’t want to do so and damage your floors. So, what you’ll want to do is place the moving blanket underneath the item.

Where to Get Moving Blankets?

Luckily, finding moving blankets is super easy. They’re often used by professionals and people having DIY relocations. There are two options you can go for when looking to get furniture pads for your move. The first one is to buy it. If you want to purchase protective blankets and have them on hand for future use, check out places like Walmart, Lowe’s, Uboxes, etc.

On the other hand, if you want to stay on budget and not have to store blankets afterward, you can go for the second option – rent. If you choose to rent moving blankets, there are also many options. We’ll give you an idea about where to start − go ahead and visit U-Haul, Penske, or your trusted local movers NYC.

 

Sometimes it’s best to let professional movers take care of your move. If you’re worried that your DIY relocation will not go without damaging the property or your items, then you should definitely consider hiring a professional moving company. The moving crew has the experience to make the move fast and efficient but they also have professional tools such as moving blankets. If you’re searching for a licensed and reliable mover, Big Apple is at your service – contact us anytime and receive the most accurate free moving quotes.

What Not to Put in a Storage Unit

When moving house, you may have to downsize and find it impossible to fit your favorite big sofa or grandma’s antique dresser in a new home. Some items you love from your current home may not go well with a new style. So, you’ll have to let go of some things.

While decluttering and getting rid of unnecessary things before a move is a must, there may be some belongings you don’t want to say goodbye to. But, you just can’t seem to bring them with you.

Fortunately, it is possible to lease a storage facility and ensure the safety of your belongings for an indefinite period. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that certain items are prohibited from being stored in such units, either due to legal restrictions or for their own preservation. It is crucial to be aware of the items that must never be placed in a storage unit.

What to know Before Renting a Storage Unit

Like any other rental lease, there are some policies and regulations about what you can keep inside and what to avoid putting in a storage unit. If you fail to follow those policies, you may be responsible for any damage that happens. That’s something you definitely want to avoid.

Conversely, certain items may not be explicitly prohibited, however, it is not recommended to store them within a storage facility. Electronics and leather goods, for instance, are highly susceptible to damage caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Consequently, storing such items within a storage unit would likely result in their deterioration.

You can also go for a climate-controlled unit for sensitive items because these types of storages are designed to keep fresh air flow, optimum temperature, and humidity levels, and they’re usually secured well. Compared to traditional storage units, these climate-controlled ones will keep your items in their best shape. Look around for different types of storage solutions. If you’re wondering what not to store away, here’s a list of 9 things you should never put in a storage unit.

Things You Should Never Put in a Storage Unit

One-of-a-kind Items

jewelry in storage

If you choose a storage unit with temperature control, it will likely be safe and secure for your things. But, it’s not a good idea to keep very valuable or irreplaceable items there. These could be things like jewelry, money, personal papers, and family heirlooms. Even photos can get damaged if they’re not kept in the right conditions.

Jewelry materials can corrode, so if you have to store something sentimental, only go for a climate-controlled unit. Anything of extreme importance to you (either sentimental or monetary) should be kept in a safety deposit box in a bank or some type of safe in your house.

Unregistered Vehicles

Whether you want to keep your car, truck, boat, trailer, or RV in a storage unit, you should make sure it’s registered and has proper storage insurance. It’s should also be in working order. Never put an unregistered vehicle in storage.

Food and Perishables

Before you move, use up as much food as you can and don’t plan to use any food on moving day. Don’t store food in your storage unit because it can attract bugs and rodents. This can damage not only your unit but also other units.

Besides, food can also cause unpleasant odor and allow bacteria growth, so never keep it in a storage unit. If you have too much food left and you can’t move it, consider donating to charity – you’ll get rid of it and you’ll greatly help people in need.

Antique Furniture

antique furnitures

It is advisable to refrain from storing antique furniture in a storage unit due to its delicate nature, which renders it susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures. The loss of such a precious item would be regrettable. However, if it is necessary to store antique furniture, it is recommended to rent a climate-controlled unit that is specifically designed to maintain optimum conditions, including temperature control and fresh air inflow, in order to preserve its condition.

Animals

This is pretty much obvious − you should never leave your pet or any other animal in a storage unit. Regardless of the reason you have to keep an animal safe for a while, storage units are not the place to do so. If you need your pet to be looked after while you’re moving, consider pet hotels or ask a friend or a family member to help you out for the day.

Plants

plants in storage

Do you plan to move your plants? Plants need conditions to survive, including fresh air, water, and sunshine, and storage units can’t provide all three. Plus, plants can attract unwanted guests like pests or insects, causing many problems for a storage unit. If you’re not able to take the plant with you when moving, consider gifting it to a friend or even posting it online for sale.

Wet Items

Whatever type of storage you choose, always make sure they’re completely dry. If there’s moisture inside the storage unit, it will allow for mildew and bacteria growth, damaging your possessions inside the unit.

Hazardous Items

firecrackers in storage

It is strictly prohibited to store hazardous materials within a storage unit. Any substance that is corrosive, flammable, or has the potential to explode poses a significant risk and should be kept away from the storage unit. This encompasses items such as fireworks, chemicals, acids, fuels, pesticides, gases, medical waste, and other similar materials.

Different moving companies in New York have their different forbidden items list. Always ask them to provide a list to you so you would be absolutely sure about what not to keep in your storage unit.

Illegal Items

This is a pretty wide field, but in general, anything that’s against law shouldn’t be kept in a storage unit. For example, it’s just not safe keeping guns or weapons in public storage. They can get into the wrong hands or even go off by accident.

In order to ensure compliance with the law, it is advisable to verify the legality of an item prior to its storage. Failure to do so may result in reporting to the authorities. Additionally, it is imperative to note that certain legal items, such as cannabis, are strictly prohibited from being kept in public units.

While many countries have legalized the use of cannabis, you should never keep it in storage. Storing or growing cannabis in storage units is prohibited.

Hopefully, our list will help you learn what not to keep in storage and find other ways to keep your things safe. If you need a storage in New York, check out Big Apple movers. We’re at your service, contact us anytime to receive a free Brooklyn moving quote or moving price.

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New York City is considered to be the greatest city in the World. However, keeping up with the fast pace of Manhattan and high rent might be the main reasons for people deciding to the leave the city or move to a different neighborhood. NYC has a unique vibe and culture, and even though it is well praised in the modern culture the city itself might not be the perfect living place for everyone. In order to help you decide whether being a New Yorker and living in Manhattan is the right decision, we have created the list of the most popular reasons for leaving Manhattan. Continue reading “Popular reasons for leaving Manhattan”