Let’s face it, moving can be hard and stressful. It’s all fun and games until you have to tackle the heavy furniture, like that sturdy dresser you’ve had since college. But fear not! With the right strategy and some helpful tips, moving your dresser will be a breeze (or at least less of a nightmare). In this blog post, we’ll go through a step-by-step guide on how to move a dresser without breaking your back or damaging your precious cargo. So grab yourself a refreshing beverage, put on some comfy clothes, and let’s dive into the world of dresser relocation!
Step 1: Preparation is Key
Before diving into the actual process of moving your dresser, it’s essential to take time to prepare yourself and gather all necessary materials.
- Gather Supplies: You’ll need packing tape, bubble wrap or blankets for padding, plastic wrap or stretch wrap (optional), moving straps (a.k.a. lifting straps), furniture sliders, and possibly extra help from friends or family members.
- Measure Doorways: Measure all doorways and tight spaces in both locations (your current home and your new one) where the dresser will pass through. Make sure there is enough room for maneuvering without causing damage.
- Empty the Drawers: While it might seem like keeping items inside drawers will save time during packing/unpacking process; in reality it adds extra weight which makes moving more difficult. Plus drawers may slide open when being moved causing possible injury or damage.
Step 2: Protect Your Dresser
You want to make sure your beloved dresser arrives at its new home looking as good as it did before you started this whole ordeal.
- Remove Drawers: If possible remove drawers completely from dresser; if not feasible due to construction/design then tape them securely shut. This prevents potential accidents and damage during move.
- Wrap Dresser: Use bubble wrap or blankets to cover entire dresser including corners, edges, and any protruding features like knobs or handles. Secure padding with packing tape ensuring no part of the dresser is exposed to possible dents or scratches.
- Plastic Wrap (Optional): To add an extra layer of protection against scuffs, dirt and moisture; cover your padded dresser in plastic wrap/stretch wrap completely sealing it.
- Protect Floors: Place a furniture slider under each leg of the dresser to protect your floors from scratches when you’re moving it around.
Step 3: Recruit Some Help
Unless you have superhuman strength, you’ll probably need assistance in moving your dresser – especially if there are stairs involved.
- Ask Friends/Family: Reach out to friends or family members who might be willing to lend a hand (and their muscles) for a few hours.
- Hire Professionals: If recruiting help isn’t an option or if you prefer not to impose on others, consider hiring professional movers for this specific task; it could save time and reduce potential risks involved with moving heavy furniture yourself.
Step 4: Utilize Moving Straps
Moving straps are a game-changer when it comes to lifting heavy objects like dressers. Not only do they provide additional support reducing strain on your back, but they also make it easier for two people to carry the load together.
- Position Straps: Slide one strap underneath the front side of the dresser and another strap under its backside making sure both straps are equidistant from each other lengthwise along underside of the dresser.
- Adjust Lengths: Depending on height difference between carriers adjust strap lengths accordingly so that both individuals can stand upright while carrying weight comfortably without straining their backs.
- Grip Straps: Each person should grip their respective straps firmly while standing on either side of the dresser. One hand should be gripping front strap and other hand gripping back strap; this allows for better control and balance during transport.
Step 5: Lift & Move
With your dresser all prepped, protected, and secured, it’s finally time to get moving!
- Communicate: Establish clear communication with your moving partner so you can work together efficiently as a team throughout process.
- Lift Properly: When lifting heavy objects like dressers always remember to bend at knees rather than waist – this helps prevent back injury by distributing weight more evenly across legs rather than putting strain on lower back.
- Take Your Time: This isn’t a race! Go slow and steady ensuring both carriers maintain proper grip on straps and keeping an eye out for potential obstacles in your path (e.g., uneven flooring, doorways or stairs).
- Stairs Strategy: When navigating stairs one person should be above the dresser while another person remains below providing support from behind; this ensures additional safety measures are in place preventing possible accidents or damage to the dresser.
- Unload Carefully: Once you’ve reached the destination room carefully set down your dresser making sure not to drop it abruptly which could cause damage or injury.
Step 6: Set Up & Unwrap
Congrats! You’ve successfully moved your dresser into its new home! Now it’s time for final touches before you can start organizing all those clothes again.
- Remove Sliders & Straps: Carefully remove furniture sliders from under each leg of the dresser as well as any moving straps that were used during transport.
- Unwrap Dresser: Remove plastic wrap/stretch wrap if used followed by padding material (bubble wrap/blankets) carefully detaching packing tape without scratching surface of dresser.
- Replace Drawers: If drawers were removed for moving process, slide them back into place making sure they fit securely and glide smoothly in their tracks.
And just like that, you’re done! You’ve successfully moved your dresser without causing any damage or injuring yourself in the process. Give yourself a pat on the back (or maybe even treat yourself to some celebratory ice cream) – you deserve it! With these tips and tricks under your belt, you’ll be more than prepared to tackle other heavy furniture pieces in future moves.
