{"id":5752,"date":"2017-09-28T11:55:34","date_gmt":"2017-09-28T15:55:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=5752"},"modified":"2025-09-08T11:08:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T15:08:33","slug":"how-to-protect-solid-wood-furniture-when-moving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-solid-wood-furniture-when-moving\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Protect Solid Wood Furniture When Moving"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a piece of solid wood furniture damaged during a move. We treasure our solid wood heirlooms for their beauty and the generations of stories they bring along with them.\u00a0Here are some tips on how to protect solid wood furniture when moving to ensure it arrives at its new home safely.<\/p>\n

You can use this\u00a0checklist as a guide for taking inventory, labeling, wrapping, and securing your solid wood furniture so it\u2019s ready for the road ahead.<\/p>\n

Take Inventory<\/h3>\n

____Make a list of the wood furniture you\u2019re going to move so you can plan accordingly and allow ample time to disassemble and prepare it.<\/p>\n

____Take measurements of doorways, hallways, elevators, stairways, and any place your furniture must fit through.<\/p>\n

Have the Right Tools and Equipment Ready<\/h3>\n

____Gather tools needed to remove table legs, table tops, doors, and bed frames.<\/p>\n

____Have envelopes and plastic sandwich bags (or larger ones if needed) ready along with a permanent marker to collect and label any nuts, bolts, washers, and furniture pieces you remove.<\/p>\n

____Collect items for protection like cloths, linens, padding, and furniture blankets.<\/p>\n

\"Padded<\/p>\n

A stack of padded moving blankets in the back of one of our delivery trucks.<\/h6>\n

____Gather items for securing like twine and packing tape.<\/p>\n

____Get a furniture dolly with a strap for larger, heavier items.<\/p>\n

Disassemble and Label<\/h3>\n

____Remove all knobs, handles, casters, finials, and small pieces that can come loose and place them in an envelope and label it. Be sure not to tape anything to the furniture in order to protect the finish.<\/p>\n

____Remove legs if possible.<\/p>\n

\"Amish<\/a>Taking the legs off of the\u00a0Amish Mansfield Dining Table<\/a>\u00a0and wrapping them separately provides added protection for all table parts.<\/h6>\n

____Remove shelves. Wrap them in padding and label them.<\/p>\n

____Take apart bed frames. Save all nuts, bolts, and washers in plastic bags labeled with the piece of furniture they belong to along with the tools needed for reassembly.<\/p>\n

Secure It<\/h3>\n

____Tie any drawers or cabinets shut with twine and place padding between the twine and the wood. Never tape doors or drawers shut.<\/p>\n

____Remove cushions and pillows and place them in clear plastic bags, making sure there are no holes in the bags. Don’t clean upholstery before a move, do it after.<\/p>\n

Wrap and Protect It<\/h3>\n

All solid wood furniture should be wrapped well before a move. It is recommended to hire a professional company that regularly handles antiques and solid wood furniture. Consider insuring your antiques.<\/p>\n

The three recommended layers of protection are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Surface protection,\u00a0<\/strong>which protects the wood surface from moisture, dust, and dirt.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Look for protection that will allow the wood to breathe. Cloths, linens, and moving blankets are good options. Avoid bubble wrap or plastic coverings that can damage the surface of the wood.<\/p>\n

    \"Furniture<\/p>\n

    While we don’t recommend wrapping wood furniture in plastic, our delivery drivers may\u00a0put plastic over blankets to ensure they don’t slip off during transport.<\/h6>\n
      \n
    1. Shock protection,\u00a0<\/strong>which works to absorb any shocks, vibrations, bumps, or impact.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Furniture pads and foam padding should be used to cover every inch of your solid wood furniture for this layer. Be sure to cover corners and handles. Wrap your furniture multiple times if need be.<\/p>\n

      \"Amish<\/a>The decorative corners of an Amish Stonespire Solid Hardwood Executive Desk<\/a> would require extra foam padding for protection.<\/h6>\n
        \n
      1. Outer protection,\u00a0<\/strong>which includes a hard casing or added padding if possible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Getting it On the Moving Truck<\/h3>\n

        ____Have a few helping hands to assist you. Solid wood furniture should never be dragged or slid across the floor. Items should be lifted and carried to avoid damage to the furniture and floor, and to prevent legs loosening or breaking.<\/p>\n

        \"Two<\/p>\n

        Two of our movers work as a team to lift a hutch through a pre-measured doorway.<\/h6>\n

        ____Load heavy furniture on the moving truck first, and try your best to evenly distribute them in the bed.<\/p>\n

        ____Tie down larger items on the truck with twine to prevent them from sliding or falling over.<\/p>\n

        ____Don\u2019t stack items (like packed boxes) on top of furniture in the truck as this can cause scratches or pressure that can damage wood surfaces.<\/p>\n

        ____A climate controlled truck will best protect the wood on long moves and guard against the wood expanding or contracting.<\/p>\n

        ____Having a third person watching the movers path is a good idea. Wood furniture moved on dollies, carried through doorways, or placed near other furniture, runs the risk of gouges, dents, and scratches.<\/p>\n

        Be sure that your new home is ready for your solid wood furniture with the temperature and humidity adjusted prior to bringing in the furniture. This way your furniture can adjust quickly.<\/p>\n

        Storing Your Solid Wood Furniture<\/h3>\n

        In case you have to store your furniture before moving into your new home, remember the following:<\/p>\n