Hardwood floors are a stunning and natural feature of any home. It’s essential to take care of and protect them to keep them looking great for decades.
At Preferred Flooring near Breese, IL, our team will help you select your favorite hardwood flooring and ensure you have everything you need to know about caring for hardwood floors, including our five best tips.
1. Use Area Rugs
Area rugs serve multiple purposes, especially if you have hardwood floors. They add warmth and padding to the cold flooring, help create distinct spaces, and protect your hardwood floors. Setting rugs under a dining room table can add color and texture and prevent chair and table legs from scraping and scratching the hardwood.
Similarly, adding a mat or runner in hallways or by doors reduces flooring damage in these high-traffic areas.
2. Apply Furniture Felt Protector Pads
Apply felt protector pads, a piece of material with a sticky side to adhere to the furniture and a soft texture side to protect the floors, underneath furniture like chairs and couches. That way, they won’t scratch your hardwood if you or someone else decides to re-arrange.
While you can also apply them when moving, it’s best to leave them on to protect your hardwood floors.
3. Clean Up Spills
Spills, messes, and puddles can happen despite how careful you are with footwear, beverages, or snacks. However, when caring for your hardwood floors, immediately clean up any spills so the moisture can’t soak into the wood and cause water damage.
Try having area rugs and indoor doormats by doors and immediately cleaning up when individuals come inside to reduce any mess from rain, snow, or dirt. In winter, water from boots can have the same effect on your floors. To help combat this situation, have a dedicated space where shoes can go when people enter.
4. Trim Your Pet’s Nails
If you have pets, such as dogs or cats, in your home, it’s vital to trim their nails to avoid getting your floors scratched up. Even if your pets aren’t the biggest fans of this chore, you’ll be grateful you did it, and so will your hardwood floors. Make it a routine to keep your pets and floors safe and comfortable.
For those who take their animals to the vet or a pet spa to have their nails done, consider wearing pet booties between appointments to protect your hardwood floors.
5. Monitor Your Home’s Humidity Levels
One of the best ways to protect your hardwood floors is to monitor your home’s humidity levels. If the levels are too high, like during the hot Illinois summers, the wooden boards can expand and contract, ruining the flooring’s appearance.
Here are a few ways you can monitor and control the humidity in your home:
- Investing in dehumidifiers.
- Purchasing hygrometers.
- Installing smart thermostats.
Shop High-Quality Hardwood Flooring Near Breese, IL
Upgrading your home with natural hardwood floors enhances the warmth and elegance of your space, making protecting them a priority. For over 15 years, our skilled and kind team at Preferred Floor has collaborated with homeowners to help them make the best flooring choices to complement their home’s interior design style.
With us, you’ll find several options for hardwood flooring near Breese, IL. Contact us online or call (618) 526-9393 to learn more about caring for your hardwood floors or explore more of our inventory.
Preferred Flooring is located in Breese, IL. We’re happy to serve our surrounding communities, including Highland, Mascoutah, New Haven, Trenton, Bond County, Clinton County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, St. Clair County, and Washington County.