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Moving blankets: furniture moving blankets

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By seohowto


What are moving blankets for?

Fist of all, let me explain, that moving blankets are very often called furniture pads, warehouse pads, movers pads and packing pads. What are they for and when would you need them?

Originally these blankets were designed to protect your furniture and other valuable items that you would need to put in a truck and move. Today these blankets are not only used by professional movers, but by contractors, furniture store owners, cabinet designers, remodelers and many, many others. The idea is the same, though: to prevent scratches and damage of someting fragile and valuable.

What moving blankets are made of?

Professional grade moving blankets are usually made of polyester and cotton fabrics

Economy grade blankets or furniture pads are made of non-woven fabrics.

What is inside a blanket? Each blanket is "stuffed" with a special filler.

Which blankets should I buy?

If you are moving long distance, get quality, professional grade moving blankets. From my experience, get at least 3 bundles for moving 5 bedrooms house.

If you are moving locally, simple furniture pads (economy grade blankets) would be good choice (they are the cheapest)

If you want a couple of blankets for pickniking purposes or for protecting your car's trank, take professional grade blankets that are made of polyester material.Why? They are very easy to clean!

Cabinet makers, antique furniture store owners and some contractors prefer to invest in cotton moving blankets. They are the most expensive and some people are even use them as an alternative soundproofing material!

QUICK TIP: If you need to choose blankets quickly, check a blanket's weight. Cheap blankets (furniture pads, economy grade blankets) are up to 5 lbs/per blanket. Professional grade blankets (polyester, cotton) are 6-8.5lbs/per blanket.

NOTE: If you buy blankets, it's very likely that you need rubber bands too!

cotton moving blankets

cotton moving blankets
cotton moving blankets

How are they packed?

If you ordered 12 blankets, most likely that you will receive a bundle that is factory sealed, take a look at the picture below.

Moving Rubber Bands. What are those?

Rubber bands are designed to hold moving blankets or furniture pads that you use for protecting furniture. Some movers use packaging tape instead, but I would highly recommend to get at least 3 sets of rubber bands - Small, Medium and Large sizes. By using rubber bands you eliminate the risk of getting ugly marks on your furniture that cheap packaging tape always leaves (and lots of movers use cheap 0.99 tape for packing your stuff).

rubber bands

How to use rubber bands?

how to use rubber bands?
how to use rubber bands?

Where to buy quality moving blankets?

"Google" for "moving blankets" and find deals with free shipping. Check a company's policy whether they accept returns. Choose a company that ships fast. And, finally, ask me!::))

And last question:

Where I can sell my blankets if I don't need them any longer?

Craigslist is the place for selling used blankets. Don't expect tough, to return even a half of your investment. I would personally recommend to keep them as they always in need for so many purposes. I use them literally every day and there are always a few blankets in my trank. Pickniking? Get the blankets! Remodeling? Drop some blankets on floor and cover your furniture! Did your kids start a messy game? Going to the ocean beach? Yeah, you know the answer.

furniture pads+rubber bands

My tips for saving on moving supplies: read it before buying!

1. Organize garage sale! You wil be rewarded by getting extra bucks for your moving needs and selling stuff that you don't need any longer!

2. Buy moving boxes (and save big!) directly from boxes manufacturer. Buying online seems easier and like a true "time saver", but before buying make sure that a company is not affiliated and you really get best price for your moving boxes. There is nothing wrong with buying from affiliated companies, but from my experiences, you are likely to get your boxes on time from manufacturer, rather than from somebody who is affiliated with the manufacturer. Here are some source for used boxes: craigslist (ask local people for free boxes), Trader Joe's (great place to find small boxes with dividers for packing your kitchen's stuff), your local Macy's or Mervin's (ask them if they have boxes that they are not planning to use)

3. Buy moving blankets! Moving blankets are "must have" in case you are moving intrestate. They will protect your furniture and other valuables from scratches and damage. I know that lots of moving companies include "free moving blanket" into their service contract, but I wouldn't recommend to use them. Professional movers are not likely to invest in moving blankets very often and they use them years and years. In some cases they use cheap furniture pads that are not that thick as professional moving blankets. Bottom line: buy a couple of bundles and pack your furniture to make sure it's safe and ready for moving!

4. Buy Packing paper (wrapping paper). You can save some bucks and use old newspapers for packing purposes, though the ink on newsprint never thoroughly dries and the goods you wrap in newspapers are very likely to be soiled and will require you cleaning these items after unpacking.

5. Buy quality packing tape. If you are moving long distance, don't buy a cheap 0.99 cents packing tape. Choose good quality packaging tape (for example 3M packaging tape).

6.Buy moving supplies prior your moving date. Make a list and buy everything that you need for your move at least 2 weeks ahead. Of course, professional movers will have moving and packing supplies in case you need them, but it will cost you much more money. In other words, do your "homework" and make your move organized and on budget!

This hub is not promoting anyone!

I've spent a couple of hours for creating this "fun" hub and I hope that this information will save you both, time AND money! I am not promoting anyone here, didn't even add the eBay module! If you like this hub, show me your love by voting and giving your "thumbs up".

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Comments

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G-Ma Johnson profile image

G-Ma Johnson  says:
14 months ago

Great things here to know for the movers....Glad this is my last home...no like to move...G-Ma :o) hugs

seohowto profile image

seohowto  says:
14 months ago

Thank you, G-Ma, for stopping by and leaving your feedback, really appreciate it! I was trying to cover the most frequently asked questions about moving blankets. I've been working for a while in moving industry and I thought it would be interesting for my fellow hubbers to find out more about moving blankets. But so far, my hub about Russian Borsh is still my #1 hub::)))

Misha profile image

Misha  says:
14 months ago

Hi Len,

Did not see you here for a while. Hope you are fine. :D

seohowto profile image

seohowto  says:
14 months ago

Oh, Misha! Glad to hear and see you:) I am fine, was busy with expanding my business. l I missed all of you too, but am I back:)

Misha profile image

Misha  says:
14 months ago

Good :) Welcome back then ;)

Kana  says:
14 months ago

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

The Health Lady profile image

The Health Lady  says:
14 months ago

Great information. We have moved several times and it's always a big pain since many items get ruined. I never knew that you could get moving blankets it would make the move so much less stressful. Good info to keep in mind.

Thanks!

seohowto profile image

seohowto  says:
14 months ago

Thank you very much for your feedback! Your support is the best motivation for writing more hubs::))

The SEO Site  says:
14 months ago

I think you've really got this subject covered!

Stacie L profile image

Stacie L  says:
14 months ago

good hub; i've used many of these during my moves

jasen  says:
11 months ago

Great explanation about moving blankets!! give a thumb up on SU!!

seohowto profile image

seohowto  says:
11 months ago

thank you, Jasen!

seohowto profile image

seohowto  says:
8 months ago

I have a joke about moving that someone just emailed to me: A man walks into his bedroom and sees his wife packing a suitcase. He asks, 'What are you doing?' She answers, 'I'm moving to New York. I heard prostitutes there get paid $400 a night for doing what I do for you for free.'A little later, on her way out, the wife walks past the bedroom and sees her husband packing his suitcase. When she asks him where he is going, he replies, 'I'm coming too. I want to see how you live on $800 a year.'

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