Have you ever moved and later found your furniture covered in dents and scratches, or worse, broken, when you go to unpack? Properly wrapping your furniture keeps it from getting dinged up or gouged during transport. Additionally, knowing how to strategically place it in the moving truck is essential to getting it to your new home in one piece.

If you hire a mover, they’ve been trained in how to properly handle all types of furniture – from antiques to grand pianos – so you shouldn’t have to worry about proper moving technique. However, if you’re moving yourself, or relying on the help of family and friends, it’s critical that you know the best techniques for moving furniture. Here are the best words of furniture moving advice from professional movers:

Disassemble the Furniture

It is easier to wrap smaller parts of the furniture than one huge piece. Take apart dining tables and chairs, as well as beds frames and anything else that is designed to easily break down into smaller pieces. Additionally, remove drawers from dressers and wardrobes so they are easier to lift. Wrap each drawer in plastic wrap to keep the contents from falling out during the move. Be sure to place the nuts and bolts of the furniture in clearly labeled plastic bags or containers to make reassembly easier. Keep the plastic bag or container with its corresponding piece of furniture; you can easily attach the plastic bag to the furniture using movers wrap, which unlike tape, won’t stick to the furniture and cause damage. Most furniture that can be assembled comes with a user’s manual. Use it for safely dismantling the pieces of furniture and keep it handy for reassembling at your new home.

Use Bubble Wrap and Plastic Sheets

Wrap the delicate wood and glass pieces in the bubble wrap. This is ideal because bubble wrap offers more cushioning than plastic sheets or blankets. Sofa sets and other upholstered pieces like mattresses, can be covered in plastic sheets to prevent tears or stains. There are special plastic sofa and mattress covers on the market that are more effective than the normal plastic sheeting since it is thicker. Though more expensive, these are worth the investment.

For more delicate pieces like mirrors, Cheap Movers NYC (cheapmoversnyc.net) recommends using old blankets and packing blankets for additional protection after they have been wrapped up in bubble wrap. When you finish wrapping them, put them inside specially designed boxes which fit into each other, known as telescoping boxes. The telescoping boxes offer more support when carrying the glass. Place newspapers and old rags inside the box to secure the glass in place. To support the furniture and keep it from bouncing about while moving use corrugated cardboard and packing blankets between the pieces.

Use Rope to Secure Furniture

Tying the furniture down will secure it and keep it in place. Moving trucks have hooks inside for this purpose. After securing the furniture onto the hooks, it’s still a good idea to place blankets and mattresses around them for extra padding. Ensure that the rope doesn’t end up damaging the furniture by tying it properly.

Loading the Moving Truck

When loading your moving truck, place the heaviest items like appliances at the front of the truck. Load couches and mattresses along the sides of the truck. Then, place tables in the middle of the truck. You can most effectively use space by putting boxes and sofa cushions underneath the tables. Finally, pack boxes and other small items on and around the furniture.

When loading the moving truck, make sure you have enough hands to help so you don’t strain your back. Also consider making use of dollies to ease the load, and always use the loading ramp.

There is no need for nail biting when you are moving. The key is to know what materials will keep your furniture safe. Now with a little more planning and care, your furniture will arrive at its new destination looking as good as when you packed it.