Rearranging furniture is a difficult and time-consuming task, especially if these are massive objects like a wardrobe or a bookcase. As a rule, it’s too lazy to empty shelves of contents and remove doors, so in our material we will talk about both modern and “old-fashioned” methods of moving furniture around the apartment.
Of course, the simplest solution may be a team of movers who, at your request, will move cabinets all day long, but this is very expensive. You can call friends and acquaintances for help, but they are unlikely to be pleased with this prospect. In our material we will tell you about tricks and techniques that will help you move a heavy cabinet or chest of drawers alone.
How to easily move heavy furniture on carpet or rug
Let's start with the most difficult one, because... It is more difficult to move furniture on a fleecy surface than on smooth linoleum or laminate. There are both special devices and folk tips that will help you with this.
1. Furniture conveyor
This is a set of items that includes a small jack-lever, with which one of the corners of the furniture is raised, and four stands with independent wheels that can move in any direction. By placing mobile mechanisms under each side of the cabinet, you can easily roll it around the entire apartment. If you need to move furniture specifically over carpet, then choose a conveyor with wheels of a larger diameter so that they do not sink in the pile. Fortunately, there are many similar offers on the market now.
2. Special stands for furniture
They are small circles of different thicknesses and diameters. Smooth plastic ones are suitable for carpeting. They are attached either to an adhesive base, to screws, or to built-in nails. The last option is suitable for heavy furniture, because... turning it over and screwing the stand on is very problematic. By the way, the adhesive base may not support the weight of a massive cabinet, so it is better to strengthen it with super glue or something similar.
3.Garden/handcart
Particularly enterprising citizens use a metal cart with two wheels to rearrange furniture. This option is suitable if you want to transport a bedside table or small chest of drawers from room to room. However, if the furniture is quite wide, you may need the help of a friend to hold the opposite edge. Otherwise, you can get by with a belt or a piece of flat, wide elastic band to secure it.
4. Food foil
This simple thing will help you rearrange furniture on legs. This option is suitable for a table, couch, etc. A sheet of foil is folded in several layers, placed under the leg, and the free corners are wrapped around. This will prevent the material from moving to the side when moving along the pile. However, this method is not suitable for a very heavy cabinet - the foil will simply tear under its weight.
5. Polyethylene lids
This old-fashioned method is still popular because of its simplicity and accessibility. However, please note that it is only suitable for furniture with separate legs. If the edge of a sheet of chipboard is placed on such a stand, it will simply become deformed, and you will not achieve the desired effect.
6. Milk carton
This is exactly the case when they say: in a kulak economy, everything will do. If the furniture is not very heavy, then the bags can simply be put on the legs, but be sure to turn them inside out. The fact is that the inside of the package is treated with a paraffin-containing composition, which makes it easier to slide over the fleecy surface. To rearrange a massive object, the bag must be folded several times and only then placed under the corners.
7. A piece of fiberboard (hardboard) or old linoleum
A small chest of drawers or cabinet can be easily moved using hardboard or lenoleum, placing their smooth side on the carpet. But in order to move the resulting structure from its place, belts or ropes will be needed. Although, if the piece is large enough, you can simply pull it by one edge.
8. Wooden rolling pins for dough
The method is very exotic, but it has been tested for thousands of years. This is exactly how our ancestors launched ships into the water - by placing round logs under it. You will need three or four rolling pins, and you will need to rearrange them as you move. This option is optimal if you have an assistant who can quickly navigate. Then the process will not take much time.
Useful video
The video describes how to move a heavy cabinet:
Repair, rearrangement, relocation - what do these concepts have in common? No, not only the chaos in the house, the nervous state of those living there and the inspiring changes. Let's talk about something more mundane - moving heavy furniture. In particular, cabinets.
Moving such a colossus is not so easy. It can take a lot of time to unload the content, move it, and then load it back. Plus, there is always a risk of scratching the floor, breaking or dropping something.
To save time, some people move cabinets unassembled, which is even more difficult.
Call a special team? Loaders? Or try on your own?
Let's look at the last option.
So, what will help you move a heavy cabinet yourself.
Pieces of linoleum
You will need unnecessary pieces of linoleum, which are usually left over from repairs. If there are none, then you can buy a small piece in a specialized store.
It is better to take the pieces in a rectangular shape and long enough to place them under the cabinet. Moreover, the linings should be slightly longer and wider than the cabinet walls - so that it is convenient for them to correct the movement of furniture.
Pieces of linoleum should be placed under the cabinet. Then use rope, tape or masking tape to secure all the doors so that they do not open when moving the furniture.
Next, prepare a concentrated soap solution. Which wets the floor covering along the entire path of future advancement of the cabinet.
Then, by carefully hooking the edges of the linoleum and holding the cabinet itself, you can move it.
Read also:Types of sliding wardrobes: features, advantages, tips for choosing
How to move heavy furniture on a smooth surface (laminate, linoleum, parquet)
Of course, if you have remarkable strength, you can simply push or pull the cabinet, hoping for luck. However, with this method of transportation, it is possible, firstly, to tear, and secondly, to damage the floor covering. Of course, if you are planning to change it, then you don’t have to bother, but there are quite simple and reliable methods for rearranging furniture.
First of all, all the methods from the first part apply here. If you decide to use options four to seven, then the surface can be additionally coated with an aqueous solution of soap. This way there will be even less damage. And, of course, do not forget about safety: it is better to act slowly and carefully so that the cabinet or its contents do not fall on your head.
1.WD 40
This is a universal silicone lubricant, the versatility of which is legendary among people. And one of its uses is to easily move furniture on a smooth floor. First you need to make sure that it will not leave indelible marks on the floor covering. To do this, apply a little of the composition to an inconspicuous area and then rinse off with any degreaser. If everything went well, then you can safely proceed to the rearrangement.
2. Fairy, glycerin, lubricant
Despite the fact that these objects are weakly associated with each other, they have the same task - to facilitate sliding. Dishwashing liquid must be diluted with water to make it foam. Glycerin and lubricant are applied in their pure form. To avoid scratching the laminate or linoleum, it is still better to place some piece of plastic under the furniture, be it a lid or a milk carton. This option is more suitable for rearranging furniture within one room, because... It is problematic to wash foaming or greasy composition from a large area.
3. Mat with non-slip base
As a rule, they are placed in the bathroom or hallway. We turn the rug pile side down and place furniture on top. It should be noted right away that this method is only suitable for small bedside tables and chests of drawers. In the case of a closet, you will need several rugs. The pile will easily slide over linoleum or laminate without damaging it.
4. Furniture stands
In addition to smooth plastic ones, there are also stands with a felt base, which can also be attached with glue, a screw or a nail. In the case of parquet, you can use any option, but felt still causes less damage to the surface. If the cabinet is very massive, then you can not limit yourself to four corners, but stick more of them on each side. This will make sliding easier.
5. Old jeans
For strong-willed people, there is an extraordinary way to move furniture: a cabinet or part of a chest of drawers is installed on the “butt” of jeans, after which the entire structure can be pulled by the legs of the pants. This option is suitable for small furniture.
6. Pork skin
Some craftsmen recommend placing pieces of pork skin under the corners of a heavy cabinet. In this case, you need to place it fat side down, placing the furniture on non-slip pimpled leather. The method is truly old-fashioned, because It will be very difficult to wash parquet or laminate after such transportation. And the smell, as they say, is specific.
7. Raw potatoes
There are two options for moving furniture using potatoes. The first is when the root vegetable is cut into round pieces, the second is when it is simply cut in half. In the second case, the corner of the furniture is placed on a cut, with the skin facing the floor. We were unable to verify the effectiveness of this method, so it is still better to use safer techniques for moving furniture.
Lard or potatoes
You can use lard to move a heavy cabinet if you do the following:
- Cut four pieces to fit the legs.
- Lift the legs one by one and place the lard under them, slippery side down, and skin side up.
- Slowly move the cabinet.
You can also use potato wedges:
- Wash two raw large tubers from dirt.
- Cut them in half lengthwise - you should get four parts.
- Make a small indentation under the leg on the rounded side of each part of the potato.
- Place them under the legs with the flat side facing the floor and pull the chest of drawers.
Traces of lard or potatoes must then be washed off, for example, with dish soap or soap. Lard and potatoes can only be used on a smooth surface without cracks or strong differences.
Safety precautions when rearranging furniture
Repetition is the mother of learning, so let us once again mention precautions. Firstly, it is better to empty the cabinet of its contents, remove the shelves and remove the doors. If you absolutely do not want to do this, then you need to remove at least fragile objects. It is better to secure the doors and drawers with masking tape or simply tie them with something. It is better to remove the mezzanines so that they do not fall at the most inopportune moment. And, of course, call someone to help you so that he can simply hold the massive furniture and direct your movements in the right direction.
Tightening straps
If the cabinet has no legs, tensioning belts will help - elastic bands that have a tension mechanism and fasteners. They keep the cabinet suspended while you move it. The straps require two people to lift the furniture evenly on both sides.
To move the cabinet you need:
- Place straps under its bottom.
- Put the fastener on both people and secure it.
- At the same time, lift the cabinet and move it, holding it on the sides with your hands.
The load will be redistributed and moving heavy furniture will not be difficult.
Preparation
Try to make your work as easy as possible by first disassembling and emptying the furniture that you will move.
It is advisable not only to remove all contents from the cabinet, but also to remove shelves, rods and other removable elements. Seal the doors with masking tape or tie something to prevent them from opening.
If you need to move a straight or corner sofa, then remove pillows and other items from it, take out bedding from linen drawers.
Prepare the means at hand that will make it easier for your feet to slide. Their choice depends on the type of flooring.
Using a wool rug
A small wool rug can be an effective rigging tool if you know how to use it. Tilt the cabinet and slide a piece of wool under it. You can then move loads across the floor and even cross thresholds with ease. Any wool is suitable for this, as well as a camel blanket. This method will get rid of scratches, but requires physical strength during the preparation process - placing a rug under the furniture. In addition, you won’t be able to do the rearrangement yourself - you will need the interaction of two people.
What should you pay attention to?
The furniture moving set is available in several versions. Its cost ranges from 1000 rubles. Some kits cost several times more. What should you pay attention to before purchasing?
- Load capacity. The devices are designed for different weights. Some are suitable for a load of 100 kg, while others can withstand half a ton. It is better to choose a model with a reserve so that it is not used to the limit of its capabilities.
- Wheel material. The most affordable option - plastic - has disadvantages. It can crack under high load and scratch the floor. It is better to choose a model with rubber and silicone wheels, for example, Spinner. In it, rollers are installed not only under the platforms, but also on the lever. It will be easy to slide it under furniture.
- Lever shape. The TANK kit includes a regular lever without wheels. You just need to put it under the closet. In the Easy Moves model, the lever handle is very curved. This allows you to increase the pressure and lift the load higher.
Other factors also influence the choice. Some kits have platforms on wheels, others have sliding pads. However, all models are suitable for moving not only on smooth surfaces, but also on long-pile carpets. With such conveyors, you can easily handle the largest cabinet.
Felt pads
Hardware stores sell special felt pads. They are glued to the legs. This way they will not scratch the floor and will also glide better when moving. If special pads are not found, use ordinary felt pieces or house slippers. Usually their inner or outer side is sewn from felt.
The method is simple and does not require large investments. When moving a load, it is important to ensure that the felt pad does not slip off the leg.
Precaution.
When you carry out such manipulations, you need to adhere to safety measures so as not to get injured. Think through all your actions in advance, realistically assessing your strengths.
Rules for rearranging:
- Move heavy and large furniture only with the use of “extra hands” or special devices.
- Clear the room of unnecessary objects on the floor so that moving does not turn into a race against obstacles.
- Make sure nearby objects are placed correctly.
- Do not make sudden movements, take a stable position.
How to move a refrigerator correctly?
As a rule, manufacturers of refrigeration units clearly state in the operating instructions the rules for transporting and moving equipment. The refrigerator should only be moved in a vertical position, and this is far from news for experienced movers and technology experts.
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Unnecessary linoleum
If the cabinet has no legs, then you can use unnecessary linoleum as a slide.
For this method you will need:
- Cut pieces equal in length to the sides of the cabinet and about 10 cm in width.
- Place the resulting pieces under both sides of the chest of drawers, lifting it slightly.
- Dilute a concentrated solution of ½ piece of soap, previously ground on a grater, and 2 liters of warm water.
- Spread the floor with soap solution along the desired path and go ahead, you can begin moving the cabinet.
Finally, the floor should be washed with a cloth and water.
Methods for fleecy surfaces
To avoid tearing the soft covering, roller devices or sliding materials are used to move a large cabinet. Before you begin rearranging, the furniture must be prepared:
- completely empty the closet of things;
- remove removable elements (shelves, rods);
- secure the flaps with tape.
Furniture conveyor
The device consists of a lever for lifting furniture and four rotating platforms equipped with rollers. The tool set is sold as a set or rented. The lever is made of durable steel, so it can withstand any weight.
With this device, a person will be able to move the cabinet without assistance. It’s easy for even a girl to master. With the help of a home loader, the corners of the cabinet are lifted one by one with one hand, and the platforms are positioned with the other. Next, the furniture is silently transported to the desired location. The platforms are removed according to a similar principle.
Special furniture stands
They are represented by round parts made of smooth plastic of various diameters. Each element is attached to the cabinet with glue, screws or nails.
If you plan to use an adhesive base, it is recommended to secure the structure with a strong cyanoacrylate-based fixing compound. Rubber adhesive may not be able to withstand the load.
Garden type hand cart
Metal garden tools are suitable for transporting small bedside tables and chests of drawers. To transport larger items, you will need the help of a second person. You can transport a wide cabinet alone using belts or wide elastic bands holding the opposite edge.
Regular food foil
A fragile sheet of foil must be folded in several layers and placed under the legs. The remaining free edges are wrapped in a circle. This simple life hack will ensure reliable fixation of the material. The method is applicable only for light cabinets, since the foil will tear under heavy weight.
Nylon covers
A simple method used by no generation. Suitable for cabinets with built-in supports. If the lid is placed under a structure without legs, the edges will be deformed under the chipboard panel and the furniture will not move.
Packaged milk packaging
Used bags are suitable for moving light items. Before starting work, the packaging must be turned inside out. The inside of the bags is coated with a composition containing paraffin. With the help of milk cartons placed on the legs, the furniture glides easily over the carpet. For heavier structures, you will need to fold the packaging in several layers.
A piece of fiberboard (hardboard) or old linoleum
Lightweight pieces of furniture can be easily moved using hardboard scraps or leftover linoleum. You need to place the material under the corners with the smooth side facing down. If you have a large enough piece of material, you just need to pull the free edge to move it. If the fragments are small, you will need improvised means in the form of ropes, belts, and elastic bands.
Wooden rolling pins for dough
If you have an assistant, you can use three or four wooden rolling pins. This method has been used since ancient times, only then round logs were used. It is necessary to lift one edge of the furniture and place rolling pins. While moving, you need to move the released rolling pins again under the cabinet. With coordinated work, two people can complete the task in 2–3 minutes.
Using a shoulder block
These are special lifting straps that fit over your shoulders and help relieve the strain on your back. When using them, the strongest muscle groups are included in the work, and additional leverage appears. As a rule, such devices can be purchased online.
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These types of devices with straps are not recommended for dragging furniture up stairs in any direction, since in this case almost the entire weight of the item will be applied to the person below.
Consequences of careless handling
But linoleum, no matter how reliable and durable it is, needs careful care and careful operation. The above-described elasticity and some softness hide those features of the material that do not allow it to be handled roughly. When moving heavy things on linoleum, it is quite easy to damage it. Under the pressure of the cabinet legs, it bends, gathers like an accordion and, as a result, breaks. Repairing the material will be either difficult or completely impossible.
Damage to linoleum
On a note! Sometimes linoleum tears can be repaired using special cold welding, but this is an extra cost and extra work for the home owner. And the material cannot be restored to its 100% integrity. It is much easier to prevent damage to the coating if you move the furniture correctly.
Cold welding of linoleum - stages of work
By the way, even if the material is not affected by furniture constantly moving over it, it deteriorates under the pressure of the legs of a heavy cabinet or sofa. In places where there is large or massive furniture, grooves form on the material over time - the linoleum simply sinks under things. And even if you remove a heavy cabinet from it, the holes formed in the place of the legs will not always straighten out again - a lot will depend on the duration of the mechanical impact, as well as on the quality of the floor covering.
Torn linoleum
Ways to move a cabinet
Anyone who has had to move heavy furniture without assistance knows that this requires skill and a lot of strength. To make the cabinet slide freely, you must first move it from its resting place. To do this, you should completely empty the wardrobe of things, removable shelves, and secure the doors. To carry out a quick, simple cleaning of the room, wash the floor with any detergent to obtain a clean, free surface.
How to grow a pear from a seed - growing at home
Adhering to the simple laws of physics, the cabinet begins to move when the points of contact between the surface of the floor and the bottom of the furniture are minimal, the flooring is smooth, and the product is empty. Taking this into account, the sliding of an object along the base of the room increases significantly, without causing damage to the floor covering. You can speed up the movement of a heavy cabinet on a flat floor to the right place using simple improvised means.
Raw potatoes
The simplest and most affordable way to move a cabinet is the well-known and beloved potato. The raw root vegetable is perfect as a sliding substrate on floors covered with laminite, linoleum, or parquet. Potatoes, depending on the tactics used to move the cabinet, are cut in two ways:
- circles 5 - 7 mm thick;
- into two parts.
By distributing the chopped root vegetable under the bottom of the cabinet, where the halves are placed cut side down, it can be easily moved around the room. The starch contained in potatoes, without leaving scratches on the floor, is a good lubricant for sliding. Remaining traces of starch can be easily removed with a damp cloth.
Wool rug
To make moving furniture easier, use a thick wool or felt rug. Despite the fact that this method is considered effective and does not require much effort, the preparation process itself is considered labor-intensive. It will take at least two people to tilt the cabinet back and pull the fabric underneath the base.
By evenly distributing the fabric, you can quickly move the cabinet across parquet and laminate floors. With light hand efforts, you can successfully pull it across the threshold of the room, while protecting the floor from scratches and damage to furniture. In addition to the rug, you can use a camel blanket or wool blanket.
To overcome the threshold without damaging it, it is necessary to place on it a slab of lumber 18 mm thick, equal to the width of the opening and a length convenient for rolling.
Nylon covers
One of the most common household items found in any household will help reduce friction when moving furniture - plastic covers. Soft, flexible substrates lubricated with wax or soap easily fit under the base of furniture and ensure smooth sliding.
Slightly lift the heavy cabinet and place the required amount of lids under the bottom and move it around the room with minimal effort. This simple device is reliable and extremely safe for any type of floor covering. As an alternative, milk bags made of high-strength polyethylene film, characterized by a high degree of slip and strength, can be used.
Paraffin, wax and laundry soap
It is no less effective to move a piece of furniture using paraffin or wax, which are irreplaceable items in everyday life and reliable helpers in difficult situations. Products used as a lubricant form a thin, strong layer on the surface, ensuring easy gliding. All you need to do is rub the floor with paraffin, wax or laundry soap along the previously outlined lines of movement.
A prepared soap solution from laundry soap and applied to the surface will also allow you to quickly carry out the planned rearrangement. Products are removed from the surface using warm water.
Furniture conveyor
Today, to make it easier to move heavy pieces of furniture, a special device has been created that allows you to independently solve the problem of rearrangement without physical costs or the services of loaders. With the help of a furniture conveyor, which is easy to maneuver, even in the smallest rooms, you can:
- move an item to any location;
- protect walls, floors, cabinets from impacts and scratches;
- save time on rearrangement;
- move quickly on any floor covering;
- move furniture with maximum weight.
The operating principle of a home mover is simple. The hardened steel lever with rubber handle lifts cabinets of any size and weight. Transport platforms with rotating platforms on eight wheels are placed under each corner of the product. The furniture is transported silently, neatly and quickly to the planned location in the room.
