What are the Differences Among Moving Pads?

Furniture Pads are evaluated based upon several types of criteria.
1. The fabric used. 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.  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. furniture movers

 C) Synthetic non-woven material. 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. They 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 pad. 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
“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.”