Homeowners love wood flooring because of its beauty and durability, but hardwood floors aren’t invincible. Kids and pets can be particularly hard on them. Here are some tips to keep your wood floors in good condition.
Cover High-Traffic Areas
Children and animals will inevitably make messes. As much as possible, keep those messes off your hardwood floors.
Place mats near doors so people can wipe their feet before they come in. Require family members and guests to remove their shoes at the door so they don’t track dirt and mud through the house. Wipe your dog’s or cat’s paws when it comes inside.
You can also use area rugs and runners to prevent damage to your hardwood floors. They can be particularly effective when placed in high-traffic areas and in places where children and pets eat.
Clean Up Messes Right Away
Addressing an issue quickly can keep it from getting worse. If a liquid gets spilled on your hardwood floor, wipe it up as soon as you notice it. If food gets dropped on wood flooring, pick it up before it damages the finish or gets ground into the surface. If a child or pet carries in dirt or mud on shoes or paws, clean the floor immediately.
Designate a Play Area Without Hardwood Flooring
If only some of the rooms in your house have wood floors, you can make those areas off limits when it comes to playtime and limit fun and games to a room without wood flooring. If your entire house has hardwood floors, you can install carpet or a large area rug in a child’s bedroom or a playroom so you won’t have to worry about the floor getting damaged.
You can also restrict your pets to rooms that have carpets or rugs. Shutting doors and using gates are simple solutions.
Trim Your Pets’ Nails
If their nails aren’t trimmed on a regular basis, dogs and cats can damage hardwood floors simply by walking on them. Long, sharp nails can scrape the finish and leave behind scratches.
Keeping your pets’ nails trimmed is an easy way to protect your hardwood flooring. It’s also good for their health.
Clean Your Wood Floors Regularly
Prevention can go a long way in keeping hardwood flooring clean, but you should also give your floors a thorough cleaning on a regular basis. Vacuum or sweep frequently to get rid of dirt, dust, grime and pet hair, then mop with a cleaning product that’s designed to be used on your type of wood flooring.
