How to Use Floor Protectors

Floor protectors prevent damage to floors.

Several types of floor protectors exist, and each has a specific function. Whether you wish to move furniture around a room easily or simply keep flooring free of surface damage, floor protectors will do the job. Some floor protectors attach easily while others require the use of basic household tools. The different varieties of floor protectors all have one common denominator: They all protect floor surfaces in one fashion or another.

Things You'll Need

• Awl
• Wood screws
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Hammer

Instructions

Positioning Sliders

1. Pick up one end of the piece of furniture and place sliders where each leg or corner sits. Lower the furniture item slowly until it rests on the sliders. The sliders, essentially hard-plastic discs, come in several different sizes.

2. Lift the opposite end of the furniture item and place additional sliders where each leg or corner sits. Gently lower the piece of furniture back onto the sliders.

3. Push the piece of furniture with a firm and steady motion, moving until you reach your desired location. The weight of the furniture item keeps it in position on the sliders.

Attaching Casters

1. Lay a chair or small table on a flat surface and position the base plate of a caster on the tip of a leg.

2. Press the point of an awl through each of the holes in the caster's base plate. This will allow you to "start" the screw.

3. Insert a wood screw through the hole of the caster's base plate and into the leg of the piece of furniture. Tighten each screw with a flat-head screwdriver to secure the caster. Complete this procedure on remaining legs.

Attaching Furniture Glides

1. Lay the piece of furniture on a flat surface with its legs upright. Remove the protective cover from the glide's adhesive backing and firmly press the glide into place on the bottom of the furniture leg.

2. Secure glides that attach with a factory-positioned nail or pointed shaft with a hammer. Position the tip of the nail in the center of the leg and tap it in securely.

3. Pop-in glides, for use with metal chairs and tables, allow for quick and easy replacement. Lay the piece of furniture on its side and insert a replacement pop-in glide with your fingers. Protect your floor's surface and replace this type of glide as soon as it begins to show signs of wear.

Place Furniture Socks

1. Tilt each chair to one side to expose the bottom of each leg. Slip a furniture sock on each of the chairs legs.

2. Return the chair to the upright position. Check to make sure the chair sits firmly on the floor.

3. Attend to all chairs in this manner. Furniture socks protect floors and save time and labor when positioning chairs for large gatherings such as weddings, card parties and other special occasions.

Floor Mats

1. Place a door mat outside entryway doors to eliminate dirt, grit, water and sand before it damages your floors.

2. Position a floor mat in front of appliances and work areas that receive frequent use. This will protect your floors from scuffing and from surface dents and dings.

3. Protect bathroom floors with a bath mat. Many bath mats have nonskid bottoms that help to prevent slips and falls. These mats also take up floor-damaging moisture from showers and wet feet.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace worn floor protectors for continued floor protection.

• Poorly adjusted floor protectors can damage floor surfaces.

References

• "Rearrange It: Basic Interior Redesign Business Tutorial"; Barbara Jean Jennings; 2008
• "Furniture Repair and Refinishing"; Brian Hingley; 1998
• Hardwood Cleaner Resources: Hardwood Floor Protection and Hard Surface Floor Protection
• "Clean It Fast, Clean It Right"; Jeff Bredenberg; 1999

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• "Save Money Moving"; Mark Kibbe; 2007
• Waxman Consumer Group: Super Sliders