You may have often wondered how to pack a couch for moving, uncertain of the exact process involved. Well, you are not alone, and this post provides information on all you need to get started.
You may decide to carry out this process on your own or engage the full service packing and moving company. Although it is highly recommended you make use of a professional moving company, the choice still lies with you if you wish to do it solo.
Before You Begin
One way to ease your moving process is to have all the required items at hand. This is a list of items you will need for this process:
- Measuring Tape
- Moving Boxes
- Wrenches, Screw Drivers, Hammer
- Packing Tape
- Tie-downs
- Moving blankets or Paper padding
- Zip-top plastic bags
- Furniture lifting straps
- Furniture dollies
- A marker
Now, let us get into the main process.
How to Wrap a Sofa for Moving
1. Select Suitable Wrapping
a. Use a Microfoam Wrap for Leather Couch
The first step in this process of how to pack a sofa for moving is to cover your couch with a layer of microfoam packaging material. You may be required to use more than one layer of this wrap based on your discretion. The purpose of this covering is to serve as protection for your couch against scratches in the moving process.
If you do not have access to a microfoam packaging wrap, you can use a paper packing wrap as an alternative. You should note, however, when learning how to wrap and pack a leather couch for moving that using plastic covering is not safe. This is because plastic wraps keep moisture locked in and eventually damage the leather.
b. Use Plastic Wrap for Upholstered Furniture
If you are trying to move upholstered furniture, then you should make use of plastic wrap to wrap your couch. This covering also protects your sofa from getting dirty or damaged during the move. You can alternatively use a slip-on plastic cover that is large enough to cover the couch, as long as it follows the rules on how to cover a couch when moving.
c. Use Moving Blankets
The next step on how to protect a sofa when moving is to use a moving blanket or paper padding to cover the sofa. You should make sure that this blanket completely covers the furniture, as it provides an extra layer of protection for it. It is preferable to use quilted blankets, but you choose to use your preferred type of blanket as well. You should, however, not be focused on the beauty of the blanket, as it is likely to get dirty in the process.
2. Wrap
a. Dismantle
Take apart the furniture as much as you possibly can. If the sofa has detachable parts such as feet or arms, you should remove them before you protect it. It is crucial, however, that you properly store all parts of the couch that are removed. This is because any misplaced part may be difficult to replace and may even render the couch useless. This is a vital step in how to prepare a couch for moving.
b. Raise the Couch
Raising your sofa makes it a little bit easier to wrap, hence, the need to find an elevated surface (not too high) to place the couch on. When safely placed, you can then wrap its horizontal sides and reposition it to allow you to package it vertically.
c. Do the Actual Wrapping
From one end of the couch, begin to unroll the plastic wrap (or microfoam wrap) to cover the sofa while walking around it. Repeat this process till the entire sofa is completely covered. It is best you have someone to assist you with this process as the person can help you hold one end of the wrap while you use the other end.
Please note that if you are using a microfoam wrap, you will need to secure it with packing tape so it stays in place.
d. Moving Blankets
Wrap your sofa with the moving blanket by placing the blanket on the furniture from the top. Turn the furniture to its side and fold its tips underneath the couch until it is entirely covered with the blanket.
It is best to leave the blankets tightly wrapped without loose ends to avoid the blanket getting caught on something in transit.
e. Tape
Now that your sofa has been completely covered up use your packing tape. This should be done in different directions but should cater to strategic parts of the couch. Feel free to use as much tape as you want till you are sure the blankets cannot come off anymore.
f. Move
You can now safely carry your couch into your moving truck to get it to its new destination.
Conclusion
It would be a mistake to think all that is required to move a sofa is to just bundle it into a moving truck. Doing so exposes your furniture to various forms and levels of damage. Instead, follow the guidelines in this post on how to wrap a sofa for moving and protect your sofa in the process.
