Here at SVB, we get hardwood floor repair calls all the time when homeowners scratch their floors, many of which are caused while moving furniture. Next time you’re in a pinch and need to move something heavy, see these tips showing how to move heavy objects without scratching your wood floors.

Related Read: 8 Ways You’re Destroying Your Hardwood Floors

1. Never Drag Furniture

First things first, if you can avoid dragging furniture, do. If it can be lifted and moved, it is always safer for your hardwood floor. But sometimes you don’t have the luxury of a burly friend or the time to find additional help. If lifting is out of the question, be very careful when dragging or sliding. Always make sure there is a cushion of some sort between the furniture and the floor.

2. Move Furniture Slowly

Don’t be in a hurry when moving heavy objects. If it slides off of its padding, damage can happen fast. It’s best to keep a close eye on the part that is on the floor to avoid damage. If something feels off, you can stop easily and reduce any scratches that may have started.

3. Keep It Clean

First things first. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is moving furniture before cleaning their floors. Clean my floors?! you may ask. Why? You may be surprised, but small pieces of gravel and even general dust/debris buildup under your furniture can wreak havoc if caught between a heavy piece of furniture and the floor. Always sweep your floors and make sure there is no grit especially in the pathway you will be using.

4. Lighten the Load

First things first: shed the weight. If you have a heavy object, you’ll want to make it as light as possible before making the move. For instance, remove the drawers from dressers or the contents from your refrigerator or the books and knickknacks from your bookshelves.

Additionally, if you have a piece with a mirror attached, take the time to unscrew a few screws and set the mirror aside to avoid potential damage and some seriously bad luck. Not only will removing drawers and other objects make the piece lighter, it will also prevent them from sliding out and hurting your hardwood floors and toes.

5. Soften the Surface

Once again, this should be a no-brainer, but always put something soft between the floor and the object.

Choose something that will easily move across the floor like folded towels, thick moving blankets, small area rugs or carpet remnants with the fuzzy side toward the wood floor, or these handy moving sliders available on Amazon!

One thing to remember, if you do choose to use rugs or carpet leftovers, make sure to shake them out to avoid any grit or debris. Also, avoid using cardboard as it can be abrasive and leave dull spots.

Related Read: How to Protect Wood Floors from Paws, Claws, and In-Laws

6. Try It on Its Side

If it’s not too big or heavy, consider laying the object on its side or back to slide it. Make sure it is on something soft and easily slidable, but extra thick and durable for the added surface area that’s needing to be covered.

This can help by distributing the weight over a larger area, thus, reducing the chance of scratching. This will also put less stress on the object’s legs if it has them. Just be careful to watch the corners and legs when you lift it back up to its upright position. (We suggest having help for this option.)

7. Get Some Gliders

You can buy special pads called gliders that fit under your furniture for moving heavy objects with ease. There are tons of nifty options online that come in different sizes and variety packs, and all at great prices! These are reusable and super convenient for homeowners who are known to do a little feng shui rearranging from time to time.

8. Refrigerator Tip

Refrigerators are notorious for scratching hardwood floors. When installing a refrigerator, we suggest laying two pieces of hardboard just in front of where the back wheels will be when it is in its final position, slide it back into place on the boards, and then carefully lean it backward to remove the boards.

9. Watch for Wheels

Always be careful of wheels. Just because a piece is on wheels, doesn’t mean that those wheels won’t scratch or dent your wood floors. Wheels can also get stuck in a sideways position and not roll at all, but rather scrape the floor. Place a piece of 1/4” thick hardboard on your floor and roll the wheels over it.

10. Don’t Use Dollies with Hard Rubber Wheels

Dollies are great for moving heavy objects, but certain kinds can be a nightmare for your hardwood floors. If you use a dolly, make sure it has inflatable rubber wheels, not hard rubber. Hard rubber wheels, plus the weight of the object, can create the perfect storm for dents and damage.

We hope these tips help keep your hardwood floors looking great. If you accidentally damage your wood floors, give us a call and our experts can make them look new again.