The Safe Way to Remove Furniture

Removing heavy furniture on your own can be very risky, especially if you’re unaware of the best and safest practices. In order to avoid injury or damaging other items, it’s important to follow the safety guidelines for moving or hauling furniture into a dumpster. But to guarantee the best results, you may want to consider hiring reputable junk removal company. 

Furniture Moving Tips:

Disassemble pieces as much as possible.

The large furniture items are always going to be the most difficult to remove from your home. If you can’t hire a company to properly assist with these items, the next best thing is to disassemble them as much as possible. That way you can avoid the difficulty of:

• trying to get the large items through doorways 
• carrying heavy and awkward items up or down stairs 
• possibly breaking other items in the process 

It can also help to measure the items prior to moving them so you know for sure if they can fit through doorways or other areas. 

Move potential obstacles. 

After you’ve discovered the most convenient exit path, it’s equally as important to remove any potential dangers in that path. Professional movers suggest taking a slow walk along the intended exit path and identifying any areas that could be hazardous when carrying or wheeling heavy items through. The outdoor path should be checked as well. If possible, try to remove any mud, snow, ice, etc. 

Obtain the right equipment. 

Having proper moving equipment can be a big factor in preventing accidents and injuries, especially when large or heavy items are involved. Furniture dollies and slides can be two very helpful pieces that can be easily purchased or rented. Being able to slide a heavy item instead of carrying it, even just a short distance, can make the process much easier. 

Use proper lifting techniques. 

Professionals advise these types of lifting techniques: 

• Lift with your legs to spare your back. Bend at the knees and keep your back as straight as possible. 
• Push heavy pieces instead of lifting or pulling whenever applicable.
• Whenever you have to turn, do so with your legs, not your hips. 
• Keep the items you’re carrying as close to the center of your body as possible. 
• Make slow movements and small steps. 
• Keep your eyes focused on what’s in front of you, not the item you’re holding. 

Dumpster Loading Tips:

Make sure it’s in the most convenient place possible for loading. 

It may not seem important at first, but successful dumpster loadings all begin with appropriate placement. If you have your own property, you probably have many options to choose from, but not all are equally effective or favorable. Obviously you want to choose a place that can be easily reached from wherever you’re taking the furniture, or whatever else you’re throwing in it. But it’s equally important that the vehicle picking it up has easy access as well. Locations that should be avoided include corners, landscape areas, and places blocked by structures. 

Know what materials can/can’t go in the dumpster. 

If you’re just removing furniture items, it’s likely you don’t have to worry about this too much. Every city has their own rules when it comes to what’s allowed in a dumpster and what’s not. Generally anything that doesn’t contain toxic chemicals, poisonous substances, explosives, or highly flammable liquids is accepted. Learn more specifics about what can fit in your PWI dumpster here. 

Avoid overfilling. 

We know you want to fit in as many things as possible when you go through the trouble of renting a dumpster, but there is still a proper way to fill it. It’s important to make sure the material in it is secure before the vehicle comes for pick up. Some state laws even prohibit the moving of a dumpster if the contents are protruding over the tops or sides. Not only can overfilling cause headaches for you and renters, but it causes dangers to neighbors and pedestrians. If the dumpster is at the end of the driveway, loose material could set the scene for an accident. It’s best to avoid the potential hazards all together by filling the dumpster properly. 

Why it’s Best to Hire a Professional Team:

The easiest way to get furniture or any other difficult items is by hiring a professional team. This way all you have to worry about is booking the company, rather than finding friends to help, injury, or damaging other items. At Pro Waste Inc, we specialize in removing heavy, large, and awkward items. We have some of the most competitive prices in the Chicago area, as you only pay for the space you take up in our trucks. We have a professional and expert crew that has been in the junk removal business for years, and is insured for your protection. 

So if you’re stressing about removing your furniture.. Don’t! Leave it to us. Get a quick estimate with our junk removal calculator, or request a quote today!