Lifting Straps: What They Are and How to Use Them

Transporting large appliances is one of the most intimidating aspects of moving. One wrong move, and you could put some serious strain on your back or damage your floors. Lifting straps are one way to make the job easier. By redistributing weight and using your body’s stronger muscle groups, lifting straps make it possible to move bulky items like sofas, dressers, and washers with far less effort. In this guide, we’ll break down what lifting straps are, where to buy them, and how to correctly move heavy items with them to protect both yourself and your belongings.

What Are Lifting Straps?

Lifting straps are adjustable, heavy-duty straps designed to help two people lift and move heavy items safely by redistributing weight away from the arms and back and onto the legs and shoulders. They work by looping under large objects, like furniture or appliances, and securing around each mover’s forearms or shoulders. This creates leverage and makes bulky items feel lighter and easier to control. Lifting straps reduce strain, lower the risk of injury, and give movers better stability when navigating tight spaces like stairwells.

When to Use Lifting Straps

Lifting straps are most effective when you’re moving large, bulky items that are heavy but still structurally stable. Think couches, dressers, wardrobes, and kitchen appliances. However, they’re not the right tool for every situation. Avoid using them for items that are extremely fragile, oddly shaped, or unstable, like antiques with loose joints or top-heavy furniture that could tip or come apart easily.

Of course, you also shouldn’t try to use them on items far heavier than your combined lifting capacity. In these cases, using a dolly, furniture sliders, or hiring professional movers is a safer choice.

How to Use Lifting Straps

Using lifting straps correctly can significantly reduce strain and make moving heavy items much easier—but communication and proper form are just as important as the straps themselves. Here’s the best way to go about it:

• Choose the right straps! Make sure your lifting straps are rated for the weight of the item you’re trying to move. Read reviews, if you can. In general, Shoulder Dolly and Forearm Forklift are reliable picks. Avoid just buying the cheapest option and pay close attention to the specifications. Where you choose to buy your lifting straps is also important. Avoid buying them secondhand, where you can’t be sure about how much strain they’ve underwent or what their intended capacity is.
• Clear the path! Remove rugs, cords, and obstacles from your route. Stop and measure doorways and hallways to ensure the item will fit, if there’s any doubt.
• Position the item. Tilt it slightly and slide the straps underneath on both ends, centering them so the weight is evenly distributed.
• Secure the straps to your body properly. Loop the straps around your forearms or over your shoulders, depending on the strap type, and make sure your moving partner does the same. Adjust the length so that the item sits just a few inches off the ground, and you don’t have to bend.
• Get into proper lifting position. Stand close to the item with feet shoulder-width apart. Bend at the knees, not the waist, and always keep your back straight.
• Lift together with your partner on a count. Communicate clearly! Count to three and lift at the same time.
• Move slowly and carefully. Take small, steady steps and keep the item level. If you need to adjust, communicate that with your partner. Pause and set the item down together instead of shifting mid-lift.
• Lower the item carefully. When you reach your destination, bend your knees together and lower the item slowly until it’s fully supported by the floor, careful not to let it hit the ground too hard or land on anyone’s feet.
• Remove the straps! Once the item is stable, loosen the straps, and slide them out from underneath before making final adjustments.

For a more visual guide, you can refer to this tutorial!

Lifting Straps vs. Other Moving Tools

Lifting straps are just one of several tools available for moving heavy items. They offer good control and reduce strain by shifting weight to stronger muscle groups. However, they require two people and aren’t ideal for extremely heavy loads or long-distance moves. Here are some other tools to consider.

Dollies

Dollies are excellent for moving heavy items over flat, open surfaces. They’re great for heavy appliances or stacked boxes. Because the weight rests on wheels, dollies eliminate the strain of lifting almost entirely, and they can be operated by only one person at a time. The downside is that they can be difficult to maneuver over thresholds, stairs, or uneven ground.

Furniture Sliders

Furniture sliders are small pads with low-friction bottoms and grippy tops to be placed on the underside of furniture to help it glide across hardwood and tile floors. They’re great for in-room rearranging or short moves. They don’t provide much control on slopes and aren’t safe on stairs.

Hand Trucks

Similar to dollies, hand trucks are wheeled tools that are great for moving heavy items and stacked boxes. They provide good leverage for longer distances, but are very awkward and clunky when maneuvering down stairs and tight thresholds.

Do’s and Don’ts

Even though lifting straps make moving heavy items easier, using them incorrectly can still lead to injury! Keep these in mind to avoid making common mistakes.

• Don’t assume lifting straps make anything liftable! If the item is too heavy for the combined strength of you and your partner, the straps won’t compensate for the unsafe weight limit. Similarly, make sure that the straps’ maximum capacity accounts for the weight of the item.
• Don’t try to use the straps solo. Most lifting straps are designed for two people. Attempting to use them alone increases the risk of injury.
• Don’t lift with your back! Straps help with leverage, but they don’t make up for improper form. Bending at the waist or rounding your back can still cause serious strain.
• Don’t navigate without a plan! Make sure your path is clear and laid out ahead of time.
• Do communicate with your partner! Make sure you’re both on the same page for the entire move.
• Do put on the straps properly. Make sure you fasten them and are wearing them as directed by the instructions. Placing straps too close together, too far apart, or off-center can throw off your balance.

When to Call Professional Movers Instead

While lifting straps are a great tool for many DIY moves, sometimes it’s worth it to hire professional movers. If you’re unprepared, the risk of injury or property damage can outweigh the cost savings from doing it yourself, particularly if your move involves multiple flights of stairs, narrow or steep staircases, or tight turns. Additionally, if you’re on a tight schedule, dealing with a lot of high-value or fragile items, or recovering from an injury, professional movers may give you the peace of mind you need. If you already have a truck, a labor-only moving company like UniMovers can deal with the labor and logistics of loading and unloading without the additional costs associated with full-service movers.

Conclusion

Lifting straps are a simple yet effective tool that can make moving heavy items much safer and easier! However, like any tool, there’s a right and wrong way to use them, and instances where you’d be better off trying something else. Remember to assess each item before lifting, avoid common mistakes, and consider other tools like dollies or sliders when appropriate. And if you still aren’t confident, don’t hesitate to call professional movers.

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J. Dailey

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J. Dailey has an English degree with a focus in technical writing. When not busy blogging, find J. Dailey hiking, playing tabletop games, or spending time with cats.

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