Hardwood floors look great but can be pricey to fix if damaged. The last thing you want is to leave scratches on the floors you’re moving out of—or worse, ruin the floors in your new place. Things like dragging heavy items, wearing dirty shoes or dropping stuff can easily damage them. But don’t worry—there are simple ways to keep your floors protected. Here are a few tips to help keep your hardwood floors in good shape while you move.

Rugs and Runners

Lay down rugs or runners to make a path from the door to the rooms you’re moving things into. This helps keep your floors safe from dirty shoes, scratches or anything heavy you might set down or slide across the floor.

Make sure the rugs and runners lie flat so no one trips over them. If needed, use a non-slip backing to keep them from sliding around. If you’re using a dolly, the path should be as smooth as possible. Hitting a bump could make the dolly tip or drag which might badly scratch or dent your floors.

Cardboard

Cardboard can also help protect your floors. It’s strong enough to absorb some impact if you drop something by accident. But keep in mind—it can slide easily, so you might need to tape it down to keep it in place. It works best as a short-term fix, like when you’re sliding a heavy appliance but it’s not the ideal long-term solution.

Red Rosin Paper

Red rosin paper is a better choice than cardboard for protecting hardwood floors. It’s made from 100% recycled paper and is often used in flooring and construction. It helps shield your floors from moisture and some types are even resistant to tearing and water, making them more reliable during a move.

Furniture Sliders

Furniture sliders are a smart way to keep your hardwood floors safe. They help you move big, heavy items more easily and are often designed to protect the floors. Just lift each corner of the furniture, place a slider underneath and slide it across the floor. These are great for couches, dressers, armoires and other large pieces. If you are looking for Professional Furniture Movers, you have come to the right place.

Ram Board

Ram board is another solid option for protecting your floors. It might cost a bit more but it’s heavy-duty and built to last. You can even reuse it several times. Contractors often use ram board when they need to move toolboxes or materials through a house. It gives your hardwood floors strong, reliable protection.

Dealing with Scratches

If you accidentally scratch your hardwood floors, don’t worry—you can usually fix it yourself. If the scratch goes all the way down to the bare wood, you can cover it with a matching stain. For deeper marks, you might need a pre-colored latex wood filler. Most light surface scratches can be buffed out pretty easily.

The smartest thing you can do during a move is to protect your hardwood floors. You don’t want to end up paying for repairs right after moving in or risk losing your deposit because of damage you caused while moving out.