How to Prevent Scratches on Hardwood Flooring
Preventing scratches on hardwood flooring is a common problem for anyone when choosing their flooring solution. As much as we hate to admit it, scratching on a floor is inevitable, and no floor is completely scratch-proof. However, you can take a number of preventative measures to ensure your floor remains in the best condition it can for decades!
No matter how well you keep your floor, eventually some scratches will come through. Its not all bad news, though. Especially with real hardwood flooring, some people actually like the scratches, for they can add character, and a certain rustic charm to the wood.
The easiest and most cost effective way of preventing scratches on hardwood flooring is by keeping a regular routine of simple sweeping. Ideally, sweep on a daily basis with a soft brush. You don’t want anything too hard or abrasive, for that will cause more scratching! Deeper cleaning will involve using the proper cleaning products on the flooring, such as a neutral pH spray and a soft mop. You can use damp cloths, but never water, and do not use a steam cleaner on a real wood floor.
Doing this will help prevent the build up of small particles like dust or other debris that can be dragged in from the outside on people’s shoes or slippers. It may not seem like much at first, but dust and debris can build up until people are dragging it across that beautiful wood floor with their feet, miring it with scratches.
Preventing Scratches on Wood Flooring
Other practical tips that will save your flooring over the long run are:
Removal of footwear before stepping onto the flooring.
Use of rugs and mats to catch any debris
Trim the nails of any pets that run around the home
Use protective pads on all furniture
You can buy specific pads that slide under the legs of your furniture so that it doesn’t cause scratches or dents in the wood flooring. But if you don’t want to buy them, you can use a number of household items to act as a barrier between the furniture and the floor such as business cards or socks.
With rugs and mats, avoid anything with rubber backing as it could trap moisture and damage the flooring as a result.