Most people assume that once they arrive to their new home with a moving truck, the hard work is over. However, while packing and loading the moving truck is often the hardest part of the move, unpacking comes with a few challenges, too. One of those challenges is avoiding damage to your new home while carrying items in and around. How can you avoid door dings, dents in the drywall, and stains on the carpet during the unpacking process? Take a look:
1. Don't lift items that are too heavy for you.
Many dented floors and walls occur as a result of someone lifting an item that's really too heavy for them. If you struggle to lift and carry something, you're more likely to drop it or have it flop against the wall. So, have plenty of strong helpers on hand to help you unload the moving truck. If you are struggling to lift or maneuver something, have someone stronger do it for you or help you move it.
2. Place pads around big, pointy items.
If you are moving something heavy and pointy, like a big dresser with sharp corners, consider placing some padding over the corners. You could tape some foam or bubble wrap around each corner pretty easily. This way, if you bump the furniture into a wall, it is less likely to leave a dent.
3. Tape down some blankets or plastic.
Having to take your shoes on and off each time you enter the home can be frustrating. You may forget and end up leaving footprints on the carpet. To prevent such an issue, create a pathway through the house using either plastic sheeting or some moving blankets. Tape them down along the edges so they don't move. Now, all you need to do is remember to stay on the blankets, and you won't have to remove your shoes or get the carpet dirty.
4. Take doors off of their hinges.
One problem people often have, especially when moving in larger items, is with the door shutting on something they are carrying through the door frame. Doors also make the doorway narrower, making it tougher to move items through. If you have a narrow door opening, consider just removing the door from the hinges for the time being. Most doors are pretty easy to put back on once you're done moving everything in.
5. Keep water on hand.
Before you even start moving items inside, prepare a bucket of hot, soapy water with a rag. This way, you will have a quick cleanup solution handy if anyone spills something or leaves muddy footprints on the carpet. If you clean up such mistakes quickly, you can often prevent the stains from becoming permanent. Make sure everyone who is helping you move knows that the water is there.
6. Keep it well lit.
It's easier to drop something or bump into a wall if you can't see well. Make sure you turn on all the lights when you're moving in. If it is after dark, you may want to set up some extra shop lights to illuminate rooms that are dimly lit. Or, you could unpack your lamps first and set them up. Light the kitchen and bathroom especially well, since you tend to have fragile items in these rooms.
Unpacking does not have to be messy or cause damage to your new home. Follow the tips above, and if you're really concerned about damaging your home, hire a professional moving team. They're trained to easily move items into the home without causing any serious problems or damage. Contact moving companies in your area for more information.