Shipping furniture is a tough task. Sure, the movers will be there to transfer it to the dock but before that, you need to make sure everything is packed safely. Depending on what type of furniture you are trying to move, there are several ways to pack.
Small furniture items such as footstools or poufs can be easily packed in cardboard boxes, a bed set can be disassembled and the pieces can be simply wrapped in plastic (the same can be done for the dining table) and the mattress can be covered with a plastic bag. Are you with us so far? The real problem arrives when you have to prepare the couch and the cupboard for shipping.
How to Pack a Cupboard for Shipping
To assist you with the packing, we have come up with 5 steps that you can follow easily:
Tools You Will Need
- Moving blankets
- Corrugated cardboard sheets
- Packing tape
- Bubble Wrap
- Plastic stretch wrap
- Shrink Wrap
- Corner guards
Step #1
If the legs of the cupboard or armoire are detachable, then remove them and place them in a plastic bag. You can either transport the drawers with the cupboard or pack them separately. Let’s assume that you plan to pack them with the cupboard. First, place corner guards on the cupboard to prevent the edges from chipping. If the armoire has any delicate parts, then wrap them in bubble wrap and secure with a tape. Avoiding taping the cupboard’s surface as it might rip off the paint.
Step #2
Cover the entire cupboard with a moving blanket and make sure there are no lumps.
Step #3
Double wrap the cupboard with a plastic stretch wrap to secure the blanket. Since, at this point, the tape is of no use, you will need to carefully wrap the cupboard to prevent the blanket from unraveling.
Step #4
Attach pieces of corrugated cardboard and secure them with tape. Create a DIY box that will protect the cupboard from all angles.
Step #5
Finally, shrink wrap the package and use ropes to secure every layer in its place. If you don’t have a shrink wrap machine, then get in touch with your moving company and before the delicate furniture items are loaded into the truck, get them shrink-wrapped.
Pro Tip: When you have finished packing the cupboard, shake it once to see if the drawers rattle. If you do hear a sound, it means additional cushioning is required. All you need to do for this is attach foam pads and shrink wrap the cupboard again.
Whenever shipping anything, whether to another city or cross country, make sure to get insurance for every time. Situations such as the cargo getting damaged or lost at sea don’t happen too often but in case it does, at least you will be compensated monetarily. Before you go searching for a moving company, make sure they are licensed and offer different types of insurance policies according to their service.