Step-by-Step: How to Keep Your Carpet Safe during a Move?

By: Nik Watson Last Updated: Apr 11, 2024

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There are lots of different ways to protect your carpet during a move from furniture sliders to carpet masking, and even to using plywood as a barrier. Find out the rest below.


Step-by-Step: How to Keep Your Carpet Safe during a Move?

Keeping your carpet safe and clean while moving is difficult, but if done right, it’ll look as good as new in your new home.

This step-by-step guide will reveal the secrets of how to keep your carpet pristine from any stains, marks, or damages, whether you’re packing up, moving in, or settling down.


1. Before the Move

Measure the Area

The first step in keeping your carpet safe and clean during a move is to measure the carpeted areas and create a floor plan. By taking a second to plan, it’ll help you figure out the best way to move your furniture without damaging your floors or walls. Plus, it’ll help your movers visualize the space beforehand.

Move Furniture Carefully

The last thing you want to do is drag your heavy furniture across your $10,000 wood floors, accidentally scratching them along the way. To avoid this, use furniture sliders, blankets, or other moving equipment (which you’ll find below) to streamline the process.

Protect Your Floors

While packing, don’t forget to be careful when moving boxes or other items because they can scratch and damage floors or carpets. To prevent this, use plastic sheeting or blankets/towels to cover your floors.


2. During the Move

Mats & Rugs

Start by placing a welcome mat or rug outside of your home to prevent any dirt or debris from getting inside. If the first mat isn’t enough, you can always add a second layer of protection once inside the house.

Shoe Booties

Consider having the movers wear shoe booties, which are both affordable and reliable. Shoe booties offer floor and carpet protection from water and dirt. They’re typically found on Amazon for $10-$15.

Carpet Masking

Carpet masks are similar to stretch wraps, providing a reliable layer of protection from dirt. They’re easily installable, self-adhesive, and relatively affordable, especially when compared to the cost of replacing or cleaning your carpet. The price is between $30-$60 on Amazon.

Floor Runners for Wood

Floor runners typically have a self-adhesive side to prevent movement when carrying things around the house. These are found at your local home improvement store or online and can go a long way in protecting your house and carpet.

Furniture Sliders

Furniture sliders act as a barrier between the furniture and the floor, commonly used for couches, dining room tables, and desks. This allows you to move heavy furniture by yourself.

Plywood

If you’re wrestling with bulky furniture and plan to use dollies, think about laying down plywood for protection. It’s like armoring up your floors against the dirt coming into your home. If plywood isn’t an option, go with dollies to make sure your floors don’t look like a scratched-up mess.

Layering

This is one of the easiest and most convenient methods to protect your carpet when moving. Use blankets, bedsheets, or towels over your carpet to prevent it from getting dirty. If these are a tripping hazard, lay down some painter’s tape to keep it secure.

Old Carpets

If you have a couple of old carpets lying around, use those to cover your new carpet to prevent any damage. This method is also one of the cheapest and most convenient methods to protect your current carpet.


3. After the Move

Take Care of Any Damage ASAP

Even after taking intense protective measures, sometimes accidents can happen, so make sure to give your carpet a thorough look to see if there are any damages or stains. It’s important to jump on those stains as soon as possible to not let them seep or soak into the fabric. Use carpet cleaners, stain removers, or other cleaning products to remove any stains.

Continuously Clean Your Carpet

After you’ve settled in, keeping your carpet clean is key to maintaining its fresh look. Make vacuuming a regular part of your routine to scoop up any debris, or consider calling in professional cleaners to deep clean your home. We suggest vacuuming your carpet every 1-2 weeks and purchasing a deep clean every 6-12 months.


Let’s Wrap Up Your Carpet

From reading this article, you now know it’s pretty easy to protect your floors and carpets during a move just by putting in a little extra effort. Try out the cost-friendly options above and save your wallet some change or opt for the expensive plywood to guarantee the safety of your floors/carpets.

There are lots of different methods to protect your floors and carpets, so let us know which one is your favorite!


FAQs

Measure the carpeted area, use furniture sliders, and prepare the walkway for your movers.

Yes you can, by using protective materials like carpet film, plastic runners, cardboard, blankets, and bubble wrap.

Take care of any stains or spots immediately so the liquid doesn’t sink into the carpet. Use stain removers, carpet cleaners, or other cleaning materials to get the damage out.

You should be cleaning your carpet every 1-2 weeks and performing a deep clean yourself or hiring professional help every 6-12 months.