How To Use A Milk Jug For A Smarter Way To Move Heavy Furniture

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Relocating the couch might not seem that strenuous, and perhaps the coffee table isn't as bulky as you remember, but the truth is, reshuffling your furniture takes some heavy lifting — literally and metaphorically — which could open you and your home up to some immediate hazards. Not only do you want to avoid any damage to your space and possessions, but you certainly don't want to end up with excruciating back pain either. To rearrange your furniture without any aesthetic or physical complications, you'll need the proper accessories. Believe it or not, one is actually hiding in the recycling bin: a plastic milk carton. 

A smart way to reuse milk jugs is repurposing them into DIY furniture sliders that allow you to transport heavy furniture — think sofas, console tables, dressers, etc. — from one part of the room to another and avoid the $5 to $20 cost of a typical set of furniture sliders you'll find online. Sliding is a preferred method to lifting and carrying, since it reduces the chance of dropping heavy pieces and makes things easier on you physically. Of course, sliding comes with other concerns, like scratching wood floors and ripping at carpets. That's why placing something dull, soft, and smooth on the bottom of your furniture legs is crucial.

If you're considering some changes around the abode, get those furniture sliders ready, but be mindful that this hack will only work with plastic milk containers, not cardboard. Select one of the larger milk containers for big pieces, and use half-gallon containers if the furniture legs lean on the smaller side. Rinse and dry the milk jug before using heavy-duty scissors to cut it in half across its width. You should be left with a cup of sorts that gives you access to the bottom of the container. If you're going to be moving furniture across hard flooring, you can also add sticky felt pads, like these RZJZGZ Adhesive Felt Sheets, to the bottom of your DIY milk carton sliders for easy transportation.

As you create these homemade furniture sliders, there are a few things to keep in mind. They are only intended for sliding objects across a room and over slight transitions, and they may not help much when moving furniture into the house and along stairs. In terms of lifting, you will need to at least tilt one end at a time in order to place the cartons underneath the furniture legs, so if you have some concerns, make sure to ask a friend for help.