Can You Put Furniture on New Carpet? (How Long to Wait)
If you’ve recently installed a new carpet, you’re probably wondering when you can put your furniture back in the room. No one wants to damage their new carpet within the first few hours, right? So, can you put furniture on new carpet?
You should not put furniture on a new carpet immediately after installation since this could prevent the adhesive glue from drying properly onto the floor. Instead, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before moving your furniture onto the carpet.
Since many people might not be aware of the advised waiting time, we have compiled all the information for you to read in one article. Let’s consider why waiting to move your furniture onto a new carpet is a good idea.
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Here’s a Quick Pro Tip!
Most companies recommend waiting 24 to 72 hours before moving your furniture back into a newly carpeted room. Although, after moving the furniture, there are certain precautions that you could take to protect your carpet.
Here are our favorite products from Amazon to protect your new carpet:
1. Vacuum – The ideal tool to clean your carpet at regular intervals.
2. Carpet Protector – Can be placed underneath furniture and prevents carpet dents.
3. Caster Cup – Protect your carpets and hardware floors from heavy furniture.
New Carpet and Furniture
So you’re planning on installing a new carpet in your house, but just how long would you need to keep the furniture in the garage? Can you move the furniture into the room straight after installation?
When Can You Put Stuff on New Carpet?
It’s recommended to wait a minimum of 24 hours before moving furniture onto a new carpet. The carpet adhesive needs time to dry down thoroughly, and the weight of your furniture might cause deep and permanent dents in your carpet.
If you move your furniture onto a new carpet while the adhesive is still wet, you’ll pin the back of your carpet to the glue. No one wants to ruin their brand new carpet hours after installing it, right? It’s best to wait for 24 hours before moving your furniture.
Does Heavy Furniture Ruin New Carpet?
Heavy furniture can damage new (or old) carpets by creating deep dents under the furniture’s feet. This happens when you move heavy furniture onto a carpet before the adhesive is completely dry.
Heavy furniture that is not moved often can also cause dents in older carpets. One of the simplest ways to prevent dents in your carpet is periodically moving and rearranging your heavy furniture.
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Can You Put Furniture Down on New Carpet Immediately?
You should not put furniture down on a new carpet immediately because you could damage the adhesive and form of your new carpet. It’s recommended to wait 24 hours before moving furniture onto a new carpet.
Moving your furniture too early could result in a deformed carpet. After waiting the appropriate time, you could also place caster cups under the legs of heavy furniture to protect your carpet.
Do You Have to Let New Carpet Settle?
After installing a new carpet, you should wait 24 hours before moving furniture onto the carpet. This time is for the carpet to “settle” but more specifically for the adhesive to dry down properly.
Luckily you don’t have to wait 24 hours before walking over a new carpet. You can walk over a newly installed carpet immediately after installation to help fix the carpet in place. Humans walking over a carpet weigh significantly less than an inanimate object.
Waiting Games After Installation
It might not always be easy to wait a few days after installation to move your furniture, especially if your furniture is taking up space in your house. However, waiting a few extra days could prolong the life of your carpet by months.
How Soon Can You Put Furniture on New Carpet?
You can put furniture on a new carpet 24 hours after installation. This gives the adhesive glue underneath the carpet enough time to dry down and settle on the floor. Placing furniture on the carpet too soon could cause your carpet to misform.
Some companies recommend waiting up to 72 hours before moving any furniture onto the carpet. It’s important to listen to the company’s advice after installing the carpet and preferably use a carpet protector under heavy furniture.
How Long Do You Have to Wait Before You Put Furniture on New Carpet?
Generally, carpet companies advise you to wait 24 hours before moving furniture onto a new carpet. This is a precaution to ensure that the carpet adhesive does not get damaged before it’s dried down.
Moving furniture onto a new carpet too soon can damage the adhesive glue and permanently deform your carpet. Furniture is usually quite heavy and often also leaves deep dents on a carpet.
Do You Have to Wait to Put Furniture on New Carpet?
You should wait at least 24 hours to put furniture on a new carpet – especially heavy furniture that could permanently damage a carpet. The weight of heavy furniture could cause deformities on your new carpet.
The recommended waiting time depends on how big the room is and how the carpet was installed, that’s why it is generally recommended to wait 24 hours. You don’t have to wait to walk over a carpet, though, you can walk over almost immediately.
Can You Put Furniture Down on New Carpet After an Hour?
It’s considered too soon to put furniture on a new carpet after one hour. Instead, wait 24 hours before moving your furniture onto a new carpet to minimize the risk of damaging your new carpet.
Moving heavy furniture onto a carpet while the glue is not dried yet could cause permanent and irreparable damage to your new carpet. It’s best to wait as long as possible to ensure your carpet is secured to the floor.
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When Can You Put Furniture Back on New Carpet?
You can put furniture back on a new carpet 24 hours after installation. This gives the adhesive glue enough time to dry down and settle on your floor. This also prevents any initial dents or deformities on your carpet.
Some companies might advise you to wait longer than 24 hours and up to 72 hours, especially if it is a big project. Luckily you can walk over a new carpet almost immediately, which helps the carpet settle in place.
Other Carpet Concerns
Now that we’ve discussed moving furniture let’s look at some other concerns you might have when installing a new carpet. It’s normal to have some questions after your first carpet installation.
How Long Does It Take for a New Carpet to Offgas?
Usually, it takes one to two days for a new carpet to “offgas” after installation. However, a particularly big room could take as long as five days. Luckily the Volatile Organic Compound chemicals are not actually harmful.
Usually, the installer will unroll the carpet in your garage to start the “offgas” process outside your home. This also eliminates odors from your house, although not every installer does this step.
Why Do New Carpets Smell?
The smell coming from your new carpet is caused by Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs. These are an array of chemicals commonly found in household product manufacturing.
These volatile chemicals evaporate at room temperature, so the smell will dissipate as it gradually releases from a new carpet. This is also known as the process of “off-gassing” the chemicals.
What Should You Do After Carpet Is Installed?
After installing a new carpet, you should wait around 24 – 72 hours for the carpet to settle. This is mainly to ensure the glue dries down completely and your carpet is secured on the floor.
While waiting for the carpet to settle, you can walk over it, but you should not move heavy furniture onto the carpet. The weight of the furniture can cause your carpet to deform before the glue is completely dry.
How Often Should You Change Your Carpets?
You should replace your carpets every 5 to 15 years, depending on the type of carpet, carpet fibers, and carpet condition. When you start to notice serious fraying on your carpet, it’s probably time for a replacement.
In houses with more occupants, you might notice the deterioration of a carpet in less than five years. It depends on the maintenance of the carpet as well, how often you wash and vacuum your carpet could have an effect on when you need to replace it.
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Vacuums and their Benefits
People often believe that vacuuming too much can be bad for your carpet. In this section, we’ll discuss the benefits of regular vacuuming and how there are no downsides to daily vacuuming (except for your back).
How Often Should You Vacuum Your New Carpet?
You should vacuum a carpet twice a week, whether it’s an old or new vacuum. Vacuuming does not damage a new carpet, so it can be done almost immediately when a new carpet is laid.
All new carpets will shed a small number of loose fibers, this can be cleaned up almost immediately after installation with a vacuum. If you don’t vacuum a new carpet regularly, these fibers might create a matted appearance on the carpet.
Does Vacuuming Damage New Carpet?
Vacuuming does not damage a new carpet. On the contrary, it is believed to be the most effective tool for deep cleaning without damaging the actual fibers of the carpet. You can vacuum a new carpet immediately after installation.
It’s recommended to vacuum daily in high-traffic areas and twice weekly in medium to low-traffic areas. Not vacuuming your carpet could actually be more damaging to the carpet since you’re allowing dirt and grime to build up.
Can You Vacuum a Newly Laid Carpet?
You can, and you should vacuum a newly laid carpet. A new carpet has some loose fibers that should be vacuumed at regular intervals in the first few weeks to prolong the life of your carpet.
You can walk over a newly laid carpet to vacuum, but you should not move heavy furniture onto the carpet within the first few days. The weight of the furniture could damage the glue securing the carpet to the floor.
Will Vacuuming a New Carpet Hurt It?
Vacuuming a new carpet will not damage the carpet at all. On the contrary, it should be done twice a week to clean any loose fibers from the carpet. Regular vacuuming also improves the longevity of your carpet.
You can vacuum your carpet as often as you feel necessary, even if the carpet does not look dirty. Vacuuming does not damage the carpet’s fibers, so it can be done daily if preferred.
Related Questions
How Do I Prepare My House for New Carpet?
On the day before installation, remove all the furniture from the room. These must be stored in the garage or another part of the house for a few days until 24 hours after the installation is completed.
If you have old carpet in the room, check with your installers if they will remove it or if you need to arrange it yourself. In most cases, the carpet installers will remove the old carpet for an additional fee.
How Long Before You Can Put Furniture on New Hardwood Floors?
After installing new hardwood floors, you should wait at least two to three days before moving your furniture onto the floor. This time is required to allow the wood time to settle.
When placing furniture on a new hardware floor, it’s recommended to use protective pads under the legs of the furniture. These protect your floor and prevent any marks or scraps that heavy furniture could cause.
What Happens if You Put Furniture on Wet Carpet?
Putting furniture on a wet carpet could cause rust on your metal furniture and blemishes on wooden furniture. These stains on your furniture could, in turn, stain the carpet as well.
This is especially true for furniture that is not waterproofed. A wet carpet can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew to grow, which could cause household members to get sick. You might need to replace the carpet sooner than you thought you would.
Final Thoughts
You should plan out a few extra days after the carpet installation to leave your furniture in the garage or where you stored them. Instead, give your carpet some time to settle, rather than moving the furniture too soon and damaging your carpet.
