How to Choose The Right Furniture Moving Pad?
What Are Moving Blankets Used For?
Furniture Moving Pads, also called moving blankets, moving pads and furniture pads, are used by movers and individuals to wrap and protect furniture and vulnerable objects during a move. Often, movers will use rubber bands or tape (rubber bands are advisable) to keep the pad securely around the furniture.
What are the Differences Among Moving Pads?
Furniture Pads are evaluated based upon several types of criteria.
1. The Fabric Used. Quilted Furniture Pads can be made from one of the following types of material:
A) A Densely Woven Fabric That Combines Cotton and Polyester. Furniture Pads made from poly-cotton blends provide the greatest amount of durability, strength, and protection and will adhere well to furniture without slipping off (as all-polyester materials might do).
B) A Woven Fabric Made Entirely from Polyester. Furniture pads made entirely from polyester provide good coverage but will generally not last as long as those made from a cotton-polyester blend and therefore have to be replaced more often. All-poly fabric will also not provide the same degree of protection as a cotton-poly blend and therefore is not as advisable when moving high-end, more fragile and valuable furniture and objects.
C) Synthetic Non-Woven Material. Heavy duty moving blankets or Pads made from man-made, synthetic, non-woven material have gained popularity in the moving industry due to their economical pricing. However, it is a misnomer to refer to these pads as moving pads, as they are best utilized as storage pads. These moving tarps do provide some protection during a move, but the synthetic material makes them easily vulnerable to rips and tears, and they have to be frequently replaced. The use of tape on these pads can make them tear. Making these pads heavier (see below) does not necessarily make them more protective or durable.
2) The Batting, or Filler, Used Inside of The Pad. It is important that the manufacturer uses a smooth, single-piece batting that is of ample weight to protect the furniture and objects you are moving. Batting that is made in separate pieces, often for the sake of saving money during the manufacturing process, can cause subtle bumps and crevices in the furniture pads. This in turn can lead to damage to the furniture or objects being moved.
3) The Stitch Pattern. The stitch pattern is a significant and often overlooked factor in the durability and protectiveness of a pad. Pads sewn with a chevron pattern—the sharper the chevron pattern the better—are most capable of resisting tears as well as resisting the exacerbation of tears. Stitch patterns that are straighter or just slightly curved allow tears to worsen.
4) The Weight of The Pad. It’s the density of the filling that makes the difference in providing durability and protection, not the overall weight of the pad. Nobody, at the end of the day, wants to lift and fold 90 lb. a dozen pads.
5) The Binding and Corners. Optimally, the moving pad should have square corners and binding.
Which One Is Right for You?
The decision about which furniture pad is right for you should ideally be based upon a combination of the following:
1) The Degree of Durability You Require. How long or through how many moves do you want your moving pad to last.
2) The Level of Protection You Require, which may be based upon the quality, value and vulnerability to damage of the furniture and objects you are moving.
3) The Amount of Money You Want to Spend. But this requires some consideration. For example, synthetic pads may appear decidedly more economical at first glance; however, their inferior level of protection and proneness to tears can cost you money from losses. An all-poly moving pad may initially be less expensive than its cotton-poly counterpart. However, the superior durability of a cotton-poly blend pad— the fact it needs to be replaced far less often— makes it a better value in the long-run.
Tips from New Haven’s Team of Professional Moving Experts on How to Use a Moving Pad for Optimal Results:
At New Haven, we have an exemplary team of professional moving experts who are here to help you with any questions. When asked for general tips on how to best use furniture pads during a move, here are some basic suggestions:
When Wrapping Small Items and Furniture:
One of the major goals when using a furniture moving pad is to tie furniture and objects that are relatively small–such as chairs, night stands, and tables– as tightly as possible (but not too tight as to risk crushing). To do this, use what is often referred to as a diaper wrap. As explained by Scott White, “First, lay your furniture moving pad out on the floor. Place the piece in the middle of the pad. The piece should be placed as if it were in a diamond. Pull the top over first. Then right side, left side and pull tightly up from the bottom. “ This will create a safe padded pocket that protects every corner.” Use a New Haven rubber band to secure. The tighter the pad, the more you can fit in the truck.”
When Wrapping Medium Sized Furniture and Objects:
“Medium pieces should be wrapped on their feet. Drape a New Haven moving pad over the front. Pick up the over hanging pad on the side square and pull around the side. Repeat the other side. now use a New Haven rubber band to secure” (New Haven rubber bands come in several sizes to fit all types of furniture).
Regarding Large and Extra Large Pieces:
“This is done the same way as the medium pieces. It just may require two to four moving pads.”
And as Mark Hildreth further explains, “What you use to secure the pads to your furniture is also of great importance. Always use our pressure sensitive packing tape and specially designed rubber bands to secure the pads to the piece you are wanting to protect.”
New Haven’s Moving & Storage Pads—Options for Everyone
All of New Haven’s furniture pads are made with a tight chevron pattern, square corners, and durable binding.
For the long-distance mover and/or professional mover of high-end, fragile furniture, antiques, antiques and objects vulnerable to damage.
For the professional mover who is looking for the greatest amount of protection and durability, there is no greater furniture pad than New Haven’s Dreadnaught #55. The Dreadnaught #55 is comprised of a high thread count, almost twice as much fabric per square inch as the Carrier, and densely woven material—made from a synergistic combination of polyester and cotton —that provides optimal protection. The Dreadnaught is then filled with 38 oz. of batting per square yard and secured with double-stitched binding. The Dreadnaught is the result of one hundred and five years of development.
If you are looking for a high quality poly-cotton blend moving pad but want to spend less money, New Haven offers the popular Carrier Furniture Pad #99. The Carrier is the number one choice of the major van lines. The Carrier is constructed with 1 inch zig-zag lock-stitched quilting, 38 oz. of batting per square yard, and provides superior protection and durability.
For the local mover and self-mover looking for a dependable, good quality furniture pad
For the local and self-mover who wants an all-poly moving pad that is dependable and protective, New Haven offers two excellent choices.
The Premium Standard Weight Furniture Pad #90. New Haven’s Premium Pad #90 is designed for active van use and made from a high count dark blue/light blue polyester and durable 38 oz. of batting, giving it long lasting protection. The #90 weighs 80 lbs. per dozen and is a superb choice for the local mover.
The Premium Medium Weight Furniture Pad #70. New Haven’s Medium Weight Premium Pad #70 provides the same thread count as the #90 and weighs 70 lb. per dozen, making it a very manageable, yet substantial, weight.
For light moves or storage New Haven’s #200 and #200HDs are the ultimate in economy pads, providing affordable protection when durability is not required. The #200 is constructed with heavy non-woven, synthetic material, double-stitched binding, and are zig-zag quilted for the best protectiveness possible in a synthetic material.
If you have any questions about furniture moving pads or our pads, you can call New Haven Moving Equipment at (800) 421i-8700 or visit our website at www.newhaven-usa.com. New Haven has fifteen fully stocked locations nationwide and customer service representatives happy to help you with all of your furniture pad and moving needs.