When planning a move, we tend to focus on cardboard boxes and duct tape. However, it moving blankets make the difference between furniture that arrives at the site intact and those that require costly restoration. Although at first glance they resemble ordinary textiles, they are specialized protective tools without which a professional transportation company does not move from its base.
Why invest in them and what functions do they perform? Here's everything you need to know.
What exactly is a moving blanket?
Unlike household fleece or wool blankets, moving blankets (often called felt or transport blankets) are made of durable blend of technical fibers. They are densely woven, heavy and tear-resistant. Their main task is not heating, but mechanical protection of the surface.
Key functions of blankets in transportation
1. shock and impact absorption
When driving a van, items are subject to vibration and sudden braking. The thick weave of the blanket acts like an airbag - it absorbs kinetic energy, protecting delicate corners and edges of furniture from bruising.
2 Anti-Scratch protection
Polished countertops, lacquered kitchen fronts or glass display cases are scratch magnets. All it takes is a tiny grain of sand between two furniture boards to cause permanent damage. A soft blanket separates the surfaces, eliminating the risk of "wood against wood" or "metal against wood" friction.
3. cargo stabilization
Blankets fill the empty spaces between furniture in the cargo hold. Due to their structure, they increase friction, which means that items do not slide as easily around corners.
4. dust and weather protection
Although they are not 100% waterproof, the blankets are great for protecting against dust, light moisture or mud when moving furniture from apartment to truck.
How to use moving blankets properly?
To squeeze the maximum potential out of them, it is worth sticking to a few rules:
- The "sandwich" method: Stack blankets between each layer of the panels being transported (e.g., cabinet parts).
- Fixing with tape or foil: The blanket itself may slip off. After wrapping the furniture, secure the whole thing with several layers of stretch film or rubber bands.
- Floor protection: Blankets can be spread on the parquet floor in a new apartment, creating a "path" for people bringing in heavy equipment - this will protect the floor from being scratched by shoes or furniture feet.
Why is a blanket better than bubble wrap?
Bubble wrap is great for small items, but for large items, it's the blanket that wins. It is reusable, more environmentally friendly and much more difficult to pierce through the sharp edges of furniture. In addition, the blankets allow the furniture to "breathe", which is crucial for long-term transportation of antiques made of solid wood.
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