By Brandon on May 25 2011
Category: Moving Guides

The Definitive Guide to Moving Blankets

So, you're moving soon? As exciting as finding your new home is, there's a lot you have to think about in terms of moving. You're transporting all your precious belongings, so you need to make sure everything is fully protected during the process.

In addition to carefully packing and choosing a reputable moving company to handle your stuff, there's another simple but effective solution for preventing damage: moving blankets.

In this post, we're going to check out everything there is to know about moving blankets, so your next move can be stress and damage-free. We have a lot to get through, so let's jump in.

What Is A Moving Blanket?

A moving blanket, also known as a furniture pad, is a thick, usually woven, blanket that helps protect your belongings during a move. Moving blankets can be placed under, over, and around all your precious belongings to stop them from breaking or getting scratched, acting as barriers between your belongings and preventing them from getting knocked around.

Another huge bonus of moving blankets is when unloading into your beautiful new home, you can use them as padding to prevent your brand new floors and freshly painted walls from any scratches.

Are Moving Blankets Important?

The importance of moving blankets comes down to several factors:

If you're only moving a block away, there's far less opportunity for damage to occur, however, if you're moving long-distance blankets are significantly more important as there is more time for things to go wrong during transportation.

In addition to this, If you have a house filled with beautiful furniture that would be devastating should it get damaged, then moving blankets are essential. But, if you have items that are fairly cheap and wouldn't be the end of the world if they got a few scratches, then you might get away with using some alternatives.

Can I use shrink wrap instead of moving blankets?

When it comes to protecting your furniture during a move, shrink wrap and moving blankets serve different purposes.

Shrink wrap is commonly used by movers to secure loose cables and drawers that would otherwise slide out. Moving blankets, on the other hand, are specifically designed to protect your furniture from damage during the move.

Moving blankets can be used without shrink wrap, but shrink wrap shouldn't be used without furniture pads, although it's usually safe to use on cloth upholstery. Applying plastic wrap directly on furniture made of leather or wood, particularly in extreme temperatures, is not recommended, as it can lead to damage to your furniture.

What Are The Types Of Moving Blankets?

Although there are many types of furniture pads in terms of quality, thickness, and the materials they're made from, you can categorize them into two main types: light and heavy.

Light Furniture Pads

Light moving blankets are a budget option and can also be known as economy or textile blankets. Light blankets are made from non-woven felt and are usually very thin. A good option if you're only moving a few items that aren't particularly valuable, but you could do without them breaking.

Heavy Furniture Pads

On the other hand, heavy-duty moving blankets are usually of higher quality and are very thick for the most protection possible. They are made from woven fabric and are sometimes also known as quilted, pro, or heavy-duty blankets.

You should use heavy-duty furniture blankets whenever you're moving high-value items and anything you can't afford to scratch or break.

How Many Moving Blankets Do I Need?

There are many methods you can use to determine how many moving blankets you need. This is going to differ massively depending on your home, how much stuff you have, and the size of your stuff. Let's take a look at three different methods...

1- Size of Moving Truck or Storage Container

This is the easiest/most preferred method for measuring how many blankets you need. This is because it is very clear and easy to know much space you have to fill based on the truck/container you've ordered. This method is surprisingly accurate!

Here's a simple breakdown to help you determine how many moving blankets you will need based on the size of your rental truck or portable storage container. This is also equivalent to using 1 dozen blankets for every 5 feet of space.

2- Size of Home/Number of Bedrooms

This is another super easy method, I mean you know the size of your home right? While easy to guess, this method is slightly less accurate than using a truck size as there is no standard measurement for the size of 1 bedroom. For example, a bedroom in rural Texas compared to downtown New York is going to be drastically different.

As a rough guide, however, use this:

3- Create an Inventory Of All Your Furniture

While not everyone has time to do this, this method is by far the most accurate way of getting an exact figure on the number of blankets you need. It's very time-consuming and involves recording every item of furniture you have in your house and noting how many blankets are required for each one.

So how many furniture pads does a specific piece of furniture need? Here are some examples of how many blankets are needed for common furniture pieces:

So while this is the most accurate method, it is important to know how many blankets are required for each piece of furniture.

Pro Tip: If you are unsure of how many furniture pads you need it's important to remember that more is always better than less!

Should I Rent Or Buy Moving Blankets?

Whether you need a blanket for a local move or a long distance one across the country, another important decision to make is whether to buy or rent.

Renting Pads

Renting can be a very good option as it can ensure you get a high-quality blanket, thick enough to protect all your things. One major advantage of renting your moving blankets is that you don't have to store a load of blankets after you've moved. Renting moving blankets is also much cheaper than buying them.

Where To Rent Moving Blankets?

Most rental truck companies (U-Haul, Penske, and Budget) and some moving container companies (PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, U-Haul U-Box) will rent moving blankets to you - as long as you are renting your truck or container from them. For example, if you're renting a U-Haul for your move you can rent moving blankets to go along with your truck.

Buying Pads

Buying moving blankets means you have complete control in terms of quality. If you're serious about making sure your stuff gets to your next home damage-free, then buy high-quality, thick moving blankets. Of course, buying furniture pads will also be more expensive than renting them.

However, think very carefully about how many you buy. You'll have to store these somewhere after the move, unless you can sell them or pass them on to a friend or family member.

Where To Buy Moving Blankets?

Across the web, you'll find a whole host of options for different types of moving blankets. Check out Amazon and US Cargo Control. Amazon has a large range of blankets and offers a fair price as well as being a reputable company easy to deal with. US Cargo Control is another very reliable company offering quality moving blankets.

Alternatives To Moving Blankets

If you're on a budget, or just don't see the need for moving blankets, there are alternatives. These alternatives won't give you the same protection as a quality, thick moving blanket, but if you're resourceful and can afford a little risk, they can be just as good.

Any of these alternate options can be placed between furniture or wrapped around precious items to help stop them from breaking, but the effectiveness will vary.

At the end of the day, it depends on what you have to protect, your budget, what you're moving, and how far you're moving it. Consider all of this before choosing any of these alternatives.

Is it Difficult to use Moving Blankets?

If you're wondering whether using moving blankets can be challenging, the good news is that if you hire professional movers, they will take care of wrapping your furniture securely before moving it out.

If you're planning to move your furniture by yourself, it is crucial to wrap the pads tightly to prevent any accidental slips. While packing tape is an option, it may require a lot of it and can be a bit costly. A better alternative is to use shrink wrap to firmly secure the moving blankets in place. Shrink wrap is not only cost-effective but also sticks firmly to your hands, allowing you to get a good grip on the corners and edges of your furniture.

Summary

Now you know how useful moving blankets can be, it's time to decide which type you need and how to use them. To summarize step by step:

Once you've considered all the major factors, you'll know very clearly if moving blankets are necessary. Here at MovingLabor.com, we can provide advice on all things moving and storage so if you need any help regarding moving blankets, please reach out, we'd love to help.

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