How to protect your flooring while moving appliances

Moving appliances can be challenging, and it’s especially important to protect flooring from damage during the process. Whether you’re relocating to a new home or simply rearranging your existing living space, there are several ways to keep your floors in pristine condition while moving heavy appliances.

Let’s unpack some tips for a smooth and damage-free moving experience so you can preserve your flooring.

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Best practices to protect floors while moving appliances

Here are some general tips for moving appliances safely and smoothly across any type of flooring:

Get help

• Moving heavy appliances should always be a two-person job. Enlist the help of a friend, family member or neighbor to help you with the moving process.
• The safest and most reliable option for moving very heavy appliances, such as a refrigerator, is to hire professional movers who have the right equipment and expertise to transport them safely.

Use a dolly or hand truck

• Using a dolly or hand truck to move a heavy appliance can help reduce the direct pressure on your floors and make the moving process more manageable.
• Make sure the dolly or hand truck you’re using is rated for a heavy appliance.
• Check that the dolly or hand truck has rubber wheels to prevent damage to the floor.

Use proper lifting techniques

• When lifting heavy appliances, use your legs and not your back.
• Bend at the knees and keep your back straight to avoid injury.
• Take breaks to rest and reposition the appliance as needed.

Move slowly and carefully

• Take your time when moving the appliance. Rushing through the process increases the chance of damage to the floor, personal injury and damage to the appliance.
• Avoid dragging the appliance across the floor.
• If possible, get someone to help you guide the appliance as you move it so it stays on the protective materials and doesn’t slip off.

Use caution when navigating doorways, hallways, and staircases

• Before you start moving the appliance, make sure it’ll fit through narrower areas such as doorways, hallways, and staircases.
• Use caution when navigating tight spaces and avoid any sudden stops or turns.

How to protect hardwood, vinyl, laminate or tile floors

You’ll want to protect your hardwood, vinyl, laminate, or tile flooring when moving heavy appliances to prevent scratches, dents, or other damage. Here are some general tips to keep in mind as you move around:

• Use furniture sliders or gliders. Place sliders or gliders under the appliance’s legs or corners. These help distribute the weight of the appliance evenly so you can easily move it across the floor without causing any damage. Make sure to choose sliders specifically designed for the type of flooring you have so they don’t leave marks. You’ll also want to make sure the appliance feet are small enough to fit on top of each slider so they don’t hang off.

• Lay down protective sheets or boards. You can create a temporary path for the appliance to move across by laying down plywood, hardboard, or Masonite sheets. This protective layer will help distribute the appliance’s weight and prevent any direct contact between the machine and your floor.

• Install protective pads or cups. To further protect your floors once the appliance is in its resting position, consider installing felt pads or rubber cups on the bottom of the legs to prevent scratches or dents.

How to protect carpets

Trying to move an appliance across floors with carpeting presents its own kind of challenges, so it’s important to do everything you can to protect the fabric from crushed fibers, snags or tears. Here are some tips to consider:

• Use furniture sliders or gliders. Place furniture sliders or gliders specifically designed for carpeted floors under the appliance’s legs or corners.

• Lay down carpet protection film. You can apply a carpet protection film, such as a self-adhesive plastic sheet, along the path where the appliance will be moved. This protective layer will guard your carpet against dirt, scuffs, and tears.

• Fluff the carpet fibers. After moving the appliance, use a carpet rake or your fingers to gently fluff the carpet fibers back into place, especially if they’ve become crushed or flattened during the move.

FAQs

Q: How do furniture sliders help protect floors?

A: Furniture sliders are flat, smooth discs or pads that go underneath an appliance’s feet or corners. They allow the appliance to glide smoothly across the floor during a move without causing scratches or scuffs along the way. Sliders are typically made of materials like plastic or felt, which are gentle on most floor surfaces and are especially useful to slide heavy appliances. You should always check the manufacturer’s label or instructions to be sure they’ll work on your floor.

Q: Can I use cardboard or Masonite sheets as floor protection?

A: Yes, you can use either as a floor covering. Simply place the smooth cardboard or Masonite sheets on the floor and slide the appliance on top. The sturdy and smooth surface creates a protective barrier between the appliance and the floor to reduce the risk of damage.

Q: Are there special protective films or mats available for floor protection?

A: Yes. These adhesive films or mats adhere to the floor surface and provide a temporary protective layer that prevents scratches, scuffs, and spills. They are particularly useful for more delicate floor types.

Q: What should I do if my floors get damaged during the appliance move?

A: If your floors become damaged during the moving process, document the severity of the damage. You might be able to repair minor scratches or scuffs with appropriate floor cleaning products or touch-up kits. If there’s significant damage, it’s best to consult professionals who specialize in floor repairs to restore the affected areas.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! If you have any appliance repair needs or projects, you can find more resources including our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in two business days.

You can also reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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