Jun 07, 2025

Moving Furniture & Appliances Without Damage: Safety Practices

When moving furniture or appliances, be careful to avoid damage and injuries that might cost a lot of money. Reliable house movers in Melbourne can teach you how to keep safe. "Almost half of all Australians have moved at least once in the last five years." And every time you move, you have to deal with the same problem: how can you move heavy furniture and big appliances without hurting them or yourself? If you move a heavy fridge, a delicate glass cabinet, or a three-seat chair the incorrect way, you could scrape the floors, break the walls, or even have to go to the doctor. Our professional movers in Melbourne have seen and done it all at Saresa. This blog will show you tried-and-true safety tips that will help your move go smoothly, quickly, and without any harm.

Why Safe Furniture & Appliance Moving Matters

Moving accidents are not only annoying, but they also cost a lot of money. It can cost hundreds of dollars to fix scratches on glossy wood floors, dents in a stainless steel fridge, or damaged corners on handcrafted furniture. More importantly, lifting or moving things the wrong way might hurt your health. When safety is not taken into account, injuries from moving large things are all too prevalent. These can include herniated discs and strained shoulders. Safe handling is important for everyone, not just experts, when they move. These tips will keep your things, your home, and your body safe, whether you hire someone to help you or do it yourself.

Essential Steps for Moving Furniture and Appliances Safely

Step 1: Preparation is Everything

Before you lift a single box, you need to get ready for a safe relocation.

Inventory and Plan Ahead

Make a list of all the appliances and furniture you own. Find out which items are too big, too heavy, or too fragile. Make a strategy for how you'll deal with each one, including what has to be taken apart, packaged, or protected. Use a basic list: take apart, wrap, protect, move, and load.

Clear Pathways

Check the sizes of your hallways and entrances to be sure things will fit. Get rid of any carpets, shoes, or lights that are hanging down low that might get in the way. If you need to, schedule elevators ahead of time when you move into or out of an apartment.

Step 2: Disassembling Furniture Properly

Moving big items is safer and easier when furniture is disassembled.

Take the legs off of tables and couches.
Break down bed frames and bookshelves.
Remove the drawers from the consoles and dressers.
Put all the screws, nuts, and bolts in bags and label them.

Disassembling items not only reduces their weight but also prevents breakage during transportation. Secure the hardware to the appropriate piece of furniture using tape after placing it in zip bags.

Step 3: Packing & Wrapping Furniture Safely

Bad packing is often to blame for scratches, dents, and chipping. This is how to avoid that:

Wrap furniture all the way around with moving blankets.
Cover the corners with cardboard or foam protectors.
Cover glass or mirrored surfaces with bubble wrap and tape them down with packing tape.
Use stretch wrap to keep blankets, pillows, or drawers from moving about.

It's more cheaper to buy good packing materials than to fix furniture that were damaged during the transfer.

Step 4: Preparing Appliances for a Safe Move

You need to be particularly careful while moving big equipment like refrigerators, washing machines, or ovens.

Fridge/Freezer: Let it thaw for at least 24 hours. Make sure to clean and dry well. Use tape or rope to keep doors shut.
Washing Machine: empty all the water and unplug the hoses. Use the provided transit bolts to maintain the drum's stability.
Dishwasher: Take out any loose pieces or racks within. Put tape on the door.
Oven/Microwave: Clean the oven and microwave well. Take off any parts that can be removed and tape the doors shut.

When moving these things, use dollies with straps. To avoid leaks inside, always keep equipment, especially fridges, upright.

Step 5: Use the Right Equipment

The right tools can make a heavy lift feel effortless. Tools you’ll need:

Furniture dollies (flat platform with wheels)
Hand trolleys (great for appliances)
Lifting straps or forearm forklifts
Furniture sliders for hardwood or carpet
Gloves for grip and protection

Don't make things up; employing the right gear keeps your things and your body safe.

Step 6: Safe Lifting Techniques

When moving heavy furniture, the most typical concern is hurting your back. Use the right way to lift:

Use your legs to raise instead of your back.
Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
Don't twist your body; turn your feet.
When moving big or heavy things, always work as a team.
Keep the load near to you.

If something seems too weighty, it is. Get help.

Step 7: Loading the Moving Truck

How you load your truck is important.

Put the appliances in first, against the rear wall.
Put the heaviest pieces of furniture on the floor, close to the cab.
Give each side the same amount of weight.
Use tie-downs or movable straps to keep everything in place.
Put fragile or light things on top.

Don't give room for things to move about when they're being shipped. A truck that is full is safer.

Local Expertise: Furniture Movers in Melbourne

We know that each area in Melbourne has its own problems, such tiny terraces in Maribyrnong, steep access in Tarneit, and restricted driveways in Yarraville. Our teams know how to deal with every situation with care. People in Yarraville already trust furniture removalists to aid them with big moves or sensitive items. Or maybe you want to find trustworthy movers in Maribyrnong who can get around those hard-to-navigate streets in the inner west. No matter where you're moving, we've got Melbourne covered.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you plan everything perfectly, tiny mistakes might cause enormous problems on moving day. Here are the most typical mistakes people make when moving furniture and appliances, along with tips on how to prevent them to help your move go more smoothly and safely:

Skipping Disassembly of Larger Items

Pushing big furniture through confined spaces can hurt people and break things. Take apart things like mattresses and tables whenever you can.

Using Cheap or Inadequate Packing Materials

Low-quality boxes and tape can collapse or tear mid-move. Always use strong, reliable materials to protect your belongings.

Overloading Boxes or Exceeding Dolly Weight Limits

During a move, cheap boxes and tape can break or tear. Always use materials that are robust and reliable to keep your things safe.

Putting Too Much Weight In Boxes Or On A Dolly

It's hard to lift heavy crates, and they can break open. Spread the weight out evenly and don't go above the equipment's limits.

Lifting by Yourself Without Asking for Help

Lifting things alone can hurt your back and make you drop things. When lifting big or awkward things, use team lifts.

Not properly securing things in the truck

Things that aren't secured can slide around and shatter when they're being moved. Use ropes or straps to hold everything in place.

Forgetting to Check Appliance Manuals for Moving Instructions

Moving instructions are often included in appliance manuals. If you skip them, you could harm something or void the warranty.

Final Safety Tips Before the Big Day

Keep a first aid kit nearby
Wear closed-toe shoes and gloves
Hydrate and take breaks
Supervise kids or pets so they’re not in the moving path
Have emergency contacts saved on your phone

When to Call Professional Movers

Even with the finest planning, some movements are just too hard or dangerous to do on your own. If you're having to cope with:

High-value or antique furniture
Heavy whitegoods on stairs
Tight entryways or sharp corners
A full home move on a tight schedule

…hire professional movers in Melbourne, such as Saresa. We have the knowledge, the tools, and the strength to make sure your relocation goes well from start to finish. We also help families in the west that need removalists in Tarneit for their developing residences.

Conclusion: Move Smart, Not Hard

Moving doesn't have to be a mess, hurt people, or break furniture. You can keep your things safe and your back healthy if you prepare ahead, have the correct equipment, and handle them safely. Not sure where to begin? Let Saresa's team do the hard work for you. Families in Melbourne trust us to transport their furniture safely and without harm.