Keeping carpet clean during a mid-winter move?

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I am moving in three weeks and fully expect that it will be snowy/muddy/wet.  The place I am moving to will be fully (and very newly) carpeted.  How do I save the carpets from turning into a disgusting path of brown mud during my move?  A friend suggested laying down plastic, but that just sounds dangerous, especially if it is going to be wet.  I so wish there were no carpet.  I am going from hardwood floors to carpet.  Ick...

[lifeguard]

Plastic is crazy slippery on carpet!

What we have done in the past is put lots of throw mats & towels down. Then have two crews (or do the move in stages if you don't have enough people). One crew is outside - moving everything from the truck to the house. Than the second crew (in clean shoes) stays inside moving everything from the entranceway to the appropriate rooms.

[gmvh]

Oops - posted at the same time!

I have no idea how expensive this would be but could you lay down plastic (I'm thinking those blue tarps) and tape it down, at least to the main walkways, and then put canvas drop cloths over it and tape that down too? 

Or, do you have enough people helping that you could have indoor people and outdoor people for most of the small stuff?  Outdoor folks bring things to the door and indoor folks carry it to the appropriate spot (be it the right room or a pile in the main room) and put it down. 

Any chance the carpet is brown?

[Pumpkin_Pie]

It is also straight up a flight of stairs when you go in the front door.  The stairs are carpeted, so I don't know if towels would be safe either.  I am not sure if I have enough people to have a crew inside, but that is a good idea.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by gmvh 

Oops - posted at the same time!

I have no idea how expensive this would be but could you lay down plastic (I'm thinking those blue tarps) and tape it down, at least to the main walkways, and then put canvas drop cloths over it and tape that down too? 

Or, do you have enough people helping that you could have indoor people and outdoor people for most of the small stuff?  Outdoor folks bring things to the door and indoor folks carry it to the appropriate spot (be it the right room or a pile in the main room) and put it down. 

Any chance the carpet is brown?

The carpet is brownish/tan, but will definitely show wet/dirty boot marks.  The plastic and canvas sounds like it could work, I will have to see if I can do that for the main living room at least.  I just can't figure out what to do with the stairs.  I wonder if I could do the same thing but nail it down temporarily?

[dbsam]

When we moved into this house, with light carpet, it was a sloppy, slushy mess.  The movers laid moving blankets all over the floors - maybe you could use your bed blankets and wash them after wards?  They also put on disposable anti-slip shoe covers over their shoes which helped when carrying up and down stairs since covering the stairs w/b dangerous.   I believe you can buy these online or at Home Depot.  (The type the cable guys wear.)

[chel]

I. Just moved and the movers used a plastic cling that stuck to the carpeted stairs. Also saw the stuff used when homes were on the market. Not sure where to find it

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Thanks so much for all of the ideas.  I like the idea of a team inside and a team outside.  It really wouldn't take long to just schlep everything inside and up one flight of stairs.  If I had four people inside to take turns hauling things up the stairs and two outside to get it all to the door, it should keep the slush and mud to a minimum.  I spoke with a friend who used this method of moving and she said it kept her carpets pretty clean.  I figure we can just haul it all up onto the first floor and then have everyone come in and disperse it all.  What I really should do is PURGE though so there is just less to schlep.

[lifeguard]

You can also shovel a good, clear path from the truck to the door & even lay cardboard down outside - that should keep boots much cleaner.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by lifeguard 

You can also shovel a good, clear path from the truck to the door & even lay cardboard down outside - that should keep boots much cleaner.

Ooh, that is a great idea!  I am also going to be able to back the truck up super close to the front door.  I think we will only have to walk about 10 feet or so, if that.

[loon13]

Originally Posted by chel 

I. Just moved and the movers used a plastic cling that stuck to the carpeted stairs. Also saw the stuff used when homes were on the market. Not sure where to find it

Yes, this.  We moved into our home on New Year's Day last year and there was still a good amount of snow.  The movers had this plastic cling that was stuck on one side (like tape) to the carpet. Easily pulled up after they were done.  In fact you could see the difference in what was covered and what wasn't.

Here's one sample: http://www.stacksandstacks.com/carpet-saver-floor-protector

[chel]

my movers used something like this which while not reusable, is cheaper

http://www.installerstore.com/product.php?productid=735&cat=27&page=1