How do I protect wood furniture during a move?

Protecting Wood Furniture During a Move

Protecting wood furniture during a move involves careful preparation, correct packing materials, and mindful handling. The goal is to prevent scratches, dents, chips, and structural damage from impacts, shifting, or environmental factors.

Pre-Move Preparation

• Clean and Dry: Before wrapping, ensure all wood surfaces are clean and completely dry. Dust, dirt, or moisture trapped underneath protective materials can cause abrasion or leave marks. Use a soft cloth and a suitable wood cleaner, then allow ample time for drying.
• Empty and Disassemble: Remove all contents from drawers, cabinets, and shelves. Drawers should ideally be removed if possible, especially on heavier items like chest of drawers, to reduce overall weight and prevent them from sliding open. For items that can be disassembled, such as bed frames, tables, or shelving units, take them apart. Keep all fixings (screws, bolts, cams) together in clearly labelled bags, ideally taped directly to a corresponding furniture piece or placed in an essentials box.
• Secure Moving Parts: For items that cannot be disassembled or have fixed drawers and doors, secure them. Use soft packing paper or thin foam sheets to protect the inside of doors or drawers where items might knock against the frame. Then, wrap furniture moving blankets or specialist padding around the entire piece, securing it with tape that won't leave residue on the wood. Avoid using strong adhesive tape directly on finished wood surfaces.

Selecting and Applying Protective Materials

The right materials are crucial for safeguarding wood furniture.

• Furniture Blankets or Pads: These are the primary defence. Thick, quilted furniture blankets provide cushioning against impacts and prevent scratches. Wrap the entire piece, ensuring all corners and edges are covered. Secure the blankets tightly with packing tape or specialist moving straps.
• Shrink Wrap or Stretch Film: After applying blankets, industrial-grade shrink wrap can be used to hold the blankets securely in place. It also offers a barrier against dust and moisture. Apply multiple layers, pulling it taut, but do not use it as the sole protective layer directly on fine wood finishes, as it can trap condensation or mark certain types of wood.
• Cardboard Reinforcement: For particularly vulnerable areas like corners, edges, and delicate legs, add extra protection. Cut pieces of sturdy corrugated cardboard to size and tape them over the blanket-wrapped sections. Specialist cardboard corner protectors are also available and highly recommended.
• Foam Sheets: Thin foam sheets can be used directly on highly polished or delicate surfaces before wrapping with blankets. This adds an extra layer of soft cushioning and helps prevent abrasion.

Special Considerations for Delicate Pieces

Antiques or exceptionally valuable wood furniture may require additional care.

• Crating: For very fragile or high-value items, professional crating might be necessary. This involves constructing a custom wooden crate around the padded furniture, providing maximum protection during transit.
• Environmental Factors: Changes in temperature and humidity can affect wood. If furniture is going into storage, particularly long-term, it's worth considering climate-controlled storage to prevent warping, cracking, or mildew. When moving, try to minimise exposure to extreme conditions.

Loading and Unloading

• Lifting Techniques: Always use proper lifting techniques, bending with the knees and using leg strength, not your back. Two or more people should lift heavy or awkward items. Use moving dollies or furniture sliders to manoeuvre items across floors safely, especially on sensitive flooring.
• Placement in the Lorry: Load heavier, sturdier items first, placing them against the back wall of the lorry. Distribute weight evenly. Delicate wood furniture should be loaded last, placed where it won't be crushed or have other items leaning against it. Use straps to secure all items tightly to the lorry's walls, preventing movement during transit.
• Clear Pathways: Ensure pathways are clear at both the old and new properties to prevent accidental bumps or scrapes against door frames, walls, or other obstacles.

Unpacking and Inspection

Once at the new location, carefully unload and unpack the furniture.

• Immediate Inspection: As each piece is unwrapped, inspect it thoroughly for any signs of damage. Take photos of any issues found. This is particularly important if a removals company is involved, as it relates to potential moving insurance claims.
• Reassembly: Reassemble furniture carefully, ensuring all parts are correctly fitted.