How to Protect Your Floors When You Move
After weeks or months of looking for the perfect place to call your own, you have finally found a new property in Singapore to call home. Some people prefer to conduct repairs or redecorating before moving in and old or worn flooring is often the first thing to go.
Whether you choose fresh carpeting, timber floors or laminate, a different floor covering is an ideal vehicle to help breathe new life into a room. Unfortunately, moving furniture and unpacking boxes will increase foot traffic and therefore make it more likely to scratch, damage or rip your new flooring. Don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to prevent damage.
Clean Your Floors
First, clean the floors thoroughly. If you have hardwood floors, use a broom with exploded tips, a microfibre mop or a special vacuum. Avoid cleaning liquids with ammonia, vinegar, wax or polish as these can be corrosive to varnish and linoleum. Use a damp mop and dry thoroughly afterwards. If you have chosen laminate flooring, avoid the vacuum and use a broom with exploded tips or a dust mop instead.
While tiles are more resistant than most types of flooring they still require adequate care. Sweep or vacuum them and follow with a mop. You can use a steam mop for a more thorough clean. Avoid using cleaning products that contain ammonia or bleach as they can dull the finish.
Prepare for Heavy Foot Traffic
While moving into your new Singapore home, use old rugs or plastic covers to help protect floors. Create a pathway with the protective items throughout the entire property before unloading your items. Your Singapore moving specialists will be more than happy to do this for you. You can ask your international moving company to post staff in charge of unloading items from the truck to the door, then have workers inside who can take items to designated rooms. This way you avoid detritus being transported into your home via removalists’ footwear – as this too can be damaging to floors.
Keep a mat by the door so people can wipe their shoes before coming in. A helpful option is to provide shoe covers for everyone helping you with the move.
Be Mindful of Furniture
Furniture can cause a lot of damage to all types of flooring if it is not moved correctly. Never drag items as this is the easiest way to scratch hardwood floors, scuff linoleum and chip tiles. Always lift furniture or use furniture sliders. Use a trolley for appliances, such as fridges, washing machines and dryers. Ensure the wheels are clean and remain on the paths you created with the old rugs or plastic.
Wrap your furniture with moving blankets or plastic to avoid leaving scuffmarks on the walls, doorways and floors. Experienced Singapore removal companies will have all this equipment on hand to treat your items and your home with extra care.
When your move to Singapore is over and you’ve started unpacking, make sure you take time to discover the city you’re now living in. Try to get out for some fresh air and to familiarise yourself with your local neighbourhood so that any feelings of being overwhelmed with the task of relocating are put in perspective.
To find out more about Allied’s moving services, or to book a consultation, visit www.alliedpickfords.com.sg or call +65 6862 4700.
Back to News