Towels
Placing a towel on the ground and the box on top of the towel can help. When two hard surfaces press together, such as a box and the ground, the friction can increase the amount of work the box needs to slide across the floor. A soft towel reduces the amount of hard materials pressing against each other by separating the box from the ground, allowing it to slide across the floor. Or the box can be placed on a softer surface. Sliding a box on a carpet is easier than sliding it on hardwood floor and boxes slide more easily on grass than on concrete. Choose the route that will cause the least friction.
Lubrication
Lubricating the box with oil can cut friction, since the box no longer pushes against the ground, but instead glides on the oil. However, lubrication can soak and damage some objects, such as cardboard boxes. When boxes are moved across ice, they slide because the ice temporarily turns into water as it̵7;s subjected to pressure, essentially lubricating the box.
Dry-Film Lubricant
Since oil and grease-based lubricants are wet, manufacturers have created dry-film lubricants, which are sprayed onto objects to make them smoother. Some boxes have these lubricants sprayed on them. The smoothness of the object and the box influence how much friction they experience, with smoother objects experiencing less friction, according to Cornell University.
Wheels
Wheels can make boxes much easier to move, whether they̵7;re attached to a cart or a dolly. Wheels overcome friction by eliminating sliding motions, which are necessary for friction to occur. Sliding is eliminated by using the momentum of the wheel, caused by the large wheel size, in comparison to the smaller axle size. Also, the axle is smooth and usually lubricated, further reducing overall friction. Placing a box on a dolly or cart can make transporting it easier.
Carrying Boxes
Removing the box from the source of friction eliminates the frictional force. For example, carrying the box eliminates friction. However, when the box is very heavy, the work needed to carry it can be greater than the friction caused by sliding it. Movers often assess whether it̵7;s easier to slide or carry the box.