The Safe Way to Move Bulky Items

Figuring out how to safely move heavy, bulky furniture can be challenging, but you can minimize the work while removing them from curbs, garages, offices, storage units, basements, different types of flooring and more by using the following techniques.

For the sake of your safety and to avoid damaging a customer’s home, you shouldn’t solely rely on your bare hands to move heavy furniture. With the right tools for moving furniture and other appliances, it’s much easier, faster, and safer to move big and awkward-to-carry items.

Here are some tools to help you lift heavy furniture:

• Glides
• Lifting straps
• Furniture dolly

• Sliders
• Stair rollers
• Shoulder dollies

• Ramps
• Work gloves
• Moving blankets

How to Use a Furniture Dolly

A furniture dolly, also called a utility dolly, is a flat platform with four wheels. Furniture dollies are ideal for moving heavy, large, and awkwardly sized furniture.

If you’re not sure how to properly use a furniture dolly, simply follow these 3 steps:

1. Slide the dolly under the furniture
2. Secure the furniture item in place using straps
3. Carefully roll it out of the room, minding sharp corners

Even with the right lifting tools, a few techniques will make a drastic difference in how your body feels after removing a few heavy items.

Team Lifting

Most items will require more than just your muscle and some tools. Ask your helper for assistance when moving extra-large furniture.

When moving furniture downstairs or through tight spaces, team lifting should be a standard procedure as you will need an extra pair of eyes to guide your steps.

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Keep Your Back Straight

Avoid bending from the waist while picking an item to avoid straining your spine. Instead, squat down with a straight back, bending your knees and hips. Keep the item close to your body, and don’t bend forward.

Don’t Lift Above Shoulder Level

Always keep items below your shoulder and maintain a good posture with your chest out, shoulder back, the look straight ahead.

Find the Best Grip

A proper grip when lifting furniture will help you avoid dropping anything that would hurt your feet or damage property. If you have sweaty hands, use moving gloves for extra grip.

Here are a few things you can do to prepare furniture and simplify the loading process:

Step 1. Prepare Yourself

Make sure you wear appropriate shoes and have a firm grip to prevent you from falling. Wear comfortable clothes that allow for a wide range of motion, and gather tools to safely lift items.

Step 2. Make a Plan

Take note of the bulky and awkwardly shaped items so they get to the truck safely. If you are working with tight hallways or doors, choose the best route by measuring the item and space.

Clear your path by moving other items out of the way before starting. Ask the customer if it’s okay for you to move pieces out of the way. This will not only make them more comfortable but also gives them a chance to let you know if a certain item is weirdly fragile.

Step 3. Disassemble

Make heavy items easier to move by disassembling them. For example, modular couches can be taken apart into smaller pieces and drawers can be taken out of dressers and cabinets.

‼️ Note: If you plan on donating the item, keep track of all bolts and screws to reassemble it later.

If you can’t remove the shelves and drawers, tape them to prevent sudden drops. In especially tight hallways, you can remove any protruding knobs, pulls, handles, and furniture legs.

Step 4. Push the Bulky Items Instead of Pulling

Pulling heavy objects puts more strain on your body. Instead, push when you can. To avoid scratching floors, use gliders, blankets, sheets, or cardboard to push furniture safely.

Detach protruding parts like cushions and legs and remove any excess weight like drawers or the mattress when moving a bed frame. Use cardboard or furniture dollies to slide the furniture around tight corners and doorways.

Your helper is essential to give you directions and a heads up so you don’t accidentally turn into an object or wall and can make you aware of upcoming steps.

To easily move furniture on carpet, clear the path and empty or disassemble the furniture. Lifting is a good option to remove furniture on carpet due to the friction it can cause.

However, placing a barrier such as cardboard between the carpet and furniture legs can help you push the item along.

If the furniture is exceptionally heavy, use equipment such as forklift straps, carpet sliders, moving dolly, or shoulder dollies.

When moving furniture down the stairs, wear shoes and work gloves with grip and have your helper assist in lifting the item.

Examine the stairs for any loose boards or uneven steps. You can also measure the stairway to railing width and ceiling height to ensure the furniture fits.

Wrap the object with blankets to avoid scratches, breakage, and dents. Dollies and moving straps can help move heavy furniture down the stairs quickly.

To move a heavy dresser, you can use a dolly to make your work easier. Simply place the dresser on the dolly, then push it across the house.

You can also use moving straps as they distribute the dresser’s weight through the straps that are usually around your forearms or shoulders. This method requires two loaders, but it’s a proper lifting technique.

Remove the cushions and keep them in plastic bags if you’re planning on donating the couch. Wrap the couch in a blanket to prevent damage and dirt.

For convertible sofa beds, tie them down with a rope to avoid popping up during the move.

💡 Remember: Note the height and width of the route, the twists, turns and available headroom.

With your helper, stand at one end of the long ends, lift the couch together, and walk slowly downstairs. Take each step one at a time and communicate to safely orchestrate your steps.

Use a heavy sheet of plastic or blanket to wrap the recliner to prevent scuffs or stains. Make sure you tape the recliner’s feet to avoid damaging the floor. You can then use a moving dolly to move the heavy recliner out of the house.

Gathering the right tools and practicing safe lifting techniques makes moving large and bulky furniture efficient, faster, and safer for you and your customer’s property.

In summary, make sure you:

• Bend from the knees and hips.
• Take the legs off and remove drawers.
• Turn items sideways to go through doors.

• Empty your furniture before moving it.
• Load heavy furniture onto the truck first.
• Protect furniture with blankets and plastic.