How to Use Moving Blankets

Moving blankets help protect your belongings during a move. Also known as furniture pads or furniture blankets - they’re thick, padded sheets designed to absorb impact and shield large items from dents, dings, and scratches. If you’re planning a move, here is how to use moving blankets to protect the large and fragile items in your home.

Why You Need Moving Blankets

Moving blankets are essential moving supplies, like bubble wrap, packing paper, and packing tape. Made from durable cotton or polyester blends, they provide extra cushioning for heavy items too big for cardboard boxes. Unlike regular towels and blankets, moving blankets:

• Are resistant to tearing, even under pressure
• Designed with non-slip surfaces, ensuring they will stay in place
• Constructed from dense materials that don’t compress easily, allowing them to withstand impacts during loading, unloading, and transport
• Designed to cover large areas and provide more consistent coverage, with few gaps

In addition to providing reliable protection against impacts, serve several other critical functions. They’re a barrier to dirt, dust, and moisture. Besides keeping your furniture clean, they prevent weather damage, which is weather damage, which is especially important if you’re moving in autumn, winter, or spring - seasons known for unpredictable weather. 

Wrapping furniture also cushions sharp edges that could damage walls or floors when maneuvering through tight spaces, such as hallways or stairwells. Spare blankets are often wedged between items or used to fill empty space along the side of the moving truck, to prevent your belongings from shifting during transit.

There are two types of moving blankets: thick and thin. Thin blankets are made from non-woven material, while thick blankets are quilted with additional layers for extra protection. Retailers sometimes refer to thin blankets as “economy blankets” because they’re more affordable.

Though homeowners only pay around $5 more for a thick blanket, prices add up. For a large household, purchasing thick blankets could cost you $100 more than if you’d bought thin ones instead. However, it’s important to keep in mind that while thin blankets provide excellent scratch protection, they are not well suited to protection of heavy furniture, which generates more force when moved or carried.

Where to Buy Moving Blankets

Moving blankets can be found at most home improvement stores, such as Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. They're also available through online retailers like Amazon. Moving companies are another convenient option. Like straps and dollies, moving blankets are a core part of their toolkit. If you’ve hired a professional mover, blankets are generally included as part of the service. Don’t be afraid to reach out even if you’re planning a DIY move. Most movers are more than happy to sell you whatever supplies you need. Unless you foresee another move in the near future, however, you may be better off renting them instead.

How to Use Moving Blankets

A standard moving blanket is 72 x 80 inches. That’s enough to wrap small pieces of furniture, such as nightstands, but larger items like headboards, bookcases, and dining room tables may require two or even three. You want to cover as much of the surface area as possible. Once you’ve assembled sufficient blankets, start by draping them over the item one at a time, making sure they hang evenly on both sides.

Then secure them in place with plastic wrap or stretch wrap, starting at the top and working your way down. Plastic wrap is designed to stick to itself, so you won’t need any additional tape. Most movers recommend at least 2-3 layers. This not only holds the blanket in place, but protects against moisture as well. Once the item is wrapped, it’s ready to move.

North American Moving Services

Moving is simple with the right team by your side. Our full service relocation teams have been helping homeowners for the past 90 years. From planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery - there is no challenge we can’t handle. Make your next move an easy one. Contact us today for a free quote!