Home is where real life happens, and for many people around the world, life has changed dramatically during the past year due to COVID-19. The concept of “home” has evolved. For some, this time has meant reimagining the structure of their home to incorporate new space for an office, a classroom, or a gym. For others, it’s meant reimagining the occupants of their home (and their heart) by adopting a pet.
Whether you are a first-time or a long-time pet owner, rest assured that today’s wood floors are designed to withstand all kinds of traffic, including man’s best friend. In fact, wood is the only flooring that can truly last for the life of your home. All it takes is a little maintenance know-how.
Wood floor maintenance is quick, easy, and essential to keeping wood floors looking beautiful. Routine cleaning involves daily sweeping or dust mopping, and weekly vacuuming using the bare floor setting to remove dust and dirt. And be sure to clean those water dish spills up immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
Every month you will want to use a cleaning product made specifically for the finish on the floor, which is something your flooring professional can provide or recommend to you. Find an NWFA professional near you by clicking here. Steer clear of using wet mops or steam mops, which will damage the finish and the wood over long periods. In addition, don’t use vinyl or tile cleaning products on wood floors. Polishes, waxes, and restorers can cause wood to become slippery and appear dull quickly.
Placing breathable rugs at all doors will help minimize dirt and debris from being tracked inside on those cute little paws and help protect your floor. Also, be sure to trim your pet’s nails regularly, while understanding that scratches can happen. Some say scratches add charm and character to a floor and the story of its life.
If scratches do happen, they are usually in the floor surface only and are easy to repair. Consult a professional wood flooring contractor for specific recommendations about how to repair the scratches and minimize them in the future. A wood flooring professional may be able to repair by applying a maintenance coat. If scratches are deep in the wood, or if there are large dents or damaged boards, trained refinishers will be able to repair the damage without affecting the rest of the floor.
Individual maintenance schedules will vary depending on use, wear and tear, and lifestyle. When done properly, maintenance will preserve the beauty of your wood floors for years to come. Click here for additional tips on how to maintain your wood floors or here to download the free Homeowner’s Handbook to Real Wood Floors.
