Furniture and appliances are the heaviest and most awkward part of any move. A little preparation protects them, protects your walls and doors, and makes loading faster.
Measure before you move
Measure large items and the doors, hallways and stairs they have to pass through, at both addresses. A couch that fits in at one end may not fit at the other. If something will not fit, you want to know before moving day.
Furniture
- Take apart beds, tables and wardrobes where you can. Keep screws and fittings in a labelled bag and tape the bag to the furniture.
- Remove drawers and shelves from cabinets, or tape them shut so they do not slide open.
- Wrap glass, mirrors and polished surfaces in blankets or padding.
- Cover couches and mattresses in plastic or sheets to keep them clean.
- Wrap table legs and corners so they do not scratch other items.
Fridges and freezers
- Empty them completely at least a day before.
- Defrost the freezer and dry the inside so it does not leak.
- Tie or tape the doors shut.
- Keep the fridge upright on the truck. After the move, let it stand for a few hours before you switch it on.
Washing machines and dishwashers
- Disconnect them and drain the hoses.
- If the machine has transit bolts, put them back before the move. Check the manual if you are not sure.
- Tape the door closed and secure the loose hoses and cable.
TVs and electronics
Use the original box if you still have it. If not, wrap the screen in a blanket and move it upright. Label cables and take photos of the back of the TV and decoder before you unplug anything, so setting it up again is easy.
Photograph the back of every electronic item before unplugging. It saves a lot of guessing at the other end.
Boxes go with the furniture
Small items should be in boxes. Loose items that could slide or fall off the side of a truck are the main cause of damage during transport, so we ask that they are boxed or crated.
Anything that cannot be secured on the truck should be packed in a box first. We load and strap, but we cannot strap loose items.
Need a truck for your removal?
We carry furniture, appliances and bulky items on curtain-side trucks, in loads from 1 ton up to 10 ton. Send us your list on WhatsApp and we will quote.
Need a truck for your load?
We move loads from 1 to 10 ton anywhere in South Africa. Read about our removals service or ask for a quote.