If you haven’t moved since you were a child, you may be unsure what moving blankets are. Or maybe you last moved using the typical student method – chuck your clothes in garbage bags, throw all your stuff in the car, and move it over. Mattress tied to the roof, and drawers somehow shoved into the back seat. We’ve all been there! However, now that you own some nice furniture, you will want to protect it when you move. That’s where moving blankets come in.
What Are Moving Blankets?
Moving blankets are special heavy-duty blankets that are used for moving. They are also referred to as furniture padding because they are extra thick to sit between your possessions and protect them from scratches and damage during the move. Even if the moving truck takes a sharp turn, these blankets will prevent your belongings from bumping against each other.
The blankets are specifically created to absorb shock and cushion the items you put them between. Moving blankets are often made of polyester, cotton, or a mixture of both. Some moving blankets even contain cushions in the middle to further shield your items.
Why Use Moving Blankets?
The obvious use of moving blankets is to safeguard your belongings. Don’t worry about wooden furniture gaining scratches in the moving van. Wrap your appliances up tightly to prevent dents from the sides of the truck or other furniture. Anything you think could get damaged could benefit from being covered in a moving blanket.
The next reason is that moving blankets can keep dirt, dust, and debris off of your boxes and furniture. This ensures that your items arrive as clean as they were when they left your home. That means no massive dusting job as you unpack the van.
How to Use Moving Blankets
If you want your move to go as smoothly as possible, you’re going to need to find some moving blankets to use. So, once you’ve got them, how do you actually use them? Unfold the furniture pad and put it onto the item, covering as much surface area as possible. You will need two or more for your larger items.
Next, you need to make sure that the moving blanket stays exactly where you want it. You may have some spare packing tape that you can simply wrap around the entire structure to adhere it in place. Otherwise, you could use the type of ties you would use to secure a trailer load.
Then, carefully place the item on a moving trolley to transport it to your moving van or trailer. You will need to take care to make sure that the moving blanket is secure once you have the item in place on the trailer.
What Moving Supplies Will I Need?
In addition to the moving blankets, you’re going to need plenty of other moving supplies to get your stuff moved safely. Of course, you’re going to need moving boxes and packing materials such as bubble wrap, newspaper, and packing peanuts. It will be extremely helpful if you label your boxes too, so make sure that you have a marker and labels handy.
Packing tape is another key item you will require, along with some sort of dolly to help you lift the boxes. Plastic wrap, moving straps, and dish packing kits will also come in handy to secure and protect your possessions.
Don’t forget to hire a trailer or a moving van so that you have a way of transporting everything. Always keep a toolbox handy as well because you never know when you’re going to need to take apart or reassemble your furniture.
Where to Source Moving Blankets
There are a few places that you can source moving blankets from. If you’re only moving once, purchasing them yourself may not be the most prudent investment. Instead, you could hire them, or just make sure that you enlist professional movers who provide moving blankets as part of the service. The options below should cover all your bases, whether you want to buy, hire, or use movers.
- Bunnings: Good old Bunnings really does have it all, including moving blankets! They offer a large moving blanket that measures 1.8 x 3.2 metres. It features a quilted construction to withstand impact and shield your belongings from damage. The quilted stitching prevents the blanket from tearing over the corners of boxes and furniture. However, at over $30 per blanket, this can be an expensive way to go. Think about how many items you own and how many blankets you will need – this adds up extremely quickly.
- Boxes and More: Boxes and More are one of Australia’s go-to stores for moving equipment. They sell blankets which are much thinner than Bunnings’ options for just over $15 each. These are a more cost-effective option. However, they simply don’t look as long-lasting or heavy-duty as the Bunnings ones. You don’t want to waste your money on something that may not be super effective.
- Hire: There are also companies that you can hire moving blankets from. This could be a cheaper option than purchasing if you’re not planning on moving again any time soon. It does require you to return the items, however, and if you’re moving interstate, this could be an issue.
- Movers: For the ultimate convenience, you can hire movers to do the entire job for you. If you were planning on hiring movers anyway, then you can choose ones who provide moving blankets along with their services.
This is by far the easiest and most cost-effective way to do it. You don’t have to pay for moving blankets that you likely won’t use again, at least not for many years. Plus, you get all of your heavy furniture moved for you without the risk of hurting your back or the hassle of doing it yourself. They will also take care to wrap up fragile items in the furniture pads and secure them tightly with no mistakes. They have done it all a thousand times before, so you can rest assured that your precious belongings are in safe hands.