Worried your carpets might get dirty while you’re moving? Don’t worry—we’ve got a few easy tips to help keep them clean and protected throughout the move.
Even when the weather’s nice, moving can still be tough on your floors. If you’re not careful, you might end up with dirt stains, scratches or even rips. To help prevent that, here are some simple tips to protect your floors while you move.
When packing, make sure your boxes aren’t too heavy to lift and carry. Dragging them across the floor or carpet can leave smudges or scuff marks—and if the carpet is worn out, it might even tear. The same goes for furniture. Don’t drag it across the floor, especially on hard surfaces, as it can leave scratches. Instead, use furniture sliders for anything too heavy to lift.
Movers usually can’t take their shoes off and even though some folks ask them to wear shoe covers, those covers get dirty fast since they’ll be walking in and out a lot. A smarter option is to place a sturdy welcome mat outside the door to catch dirt, gravel and debris. Just make sure the mat stays in place and doesn’t become a tripping hazard while movers are carrying things inside.
Before the movers get there, check the outside area. If they’ll have to walk through mud or puddles to reach your door, you can lay down plywood or thick cardboard to cover those messy spots. If that’s not possible, try to find a different, cleaner way into the house. If it’s raining, move the truck as close to the door as you can—and if possible, use tarps to create a cover between the truck and your door.
No matter what the weather’s like, it’s a good idea to lay down some protective covering—especially if your carpets are new and you want to keep them clean. Just make sure whatever you use won’t cause anyone to trip. You can buy self-adhesive film or protective paper online or at moving supply stores. Place it along hallways and into the middle of each room but leave the areas where furniture will go uncovered. It’s also smart to cover the floor where you plan to stack boxes especially if those boxes have been in storage for a while.
Mistakes can happen, so keep a spray carpet cleaner and some rags nearby on moving day. This way, you can quickly clean up any spills or marks before they turn into permanent stains. If you notice any damage, let the moving crew know right away and take a photo of it in case you need to file a claim later.