How to Care For Hardwood Flooring in Winter

The beauty and elegance of solid wood flooring is unmatched. But during the winter, the snow, ice and wet footwear can damage your hardwood flooring. In this post, we share some helpful tips for taking are of your hardwood and engineered wood flooring during the winter.

Place Floor Mats at the Entrance

Ice, snow and moisture can find their way from outside into your interiors. Entrance mats made of absorbent materials catch the moisture and prevent damage to your wood flooring.

Entrance mats also trap ice, dust and salt, thereby preventing ice from making your floor slippery, and the salt from damaging the wood.

Clean your entrance mats regularly during winters. A soaked mat can stain your hardwood flooring and even cause it to warp. Remove dry debris from the mat by shaking it roughly first. Then wash the mat and ensure that it is completely dry before use.

Invest in a Humidifier

Humidity levels fall in winter, which can cause your floorboards to shrink and develop gaps. You can prevent the damage by maintaining the right humidity and temperature levels. You can obtain information about the right humidity and temperature level for your floor from your manual or floor manufacturer.

Clean Your Wood Floors Frequently

While regular cleaning is part of your maintenance routine, winter months need extra care. Wipe, mop and sweep your floors, especially the entrance ways and high-traffic areas, frequently.

Use a mop made of microfiber material as it traps the dry dust and dirt instead of pushing them around on the floor. Use a soft-bristled attachment on your vacuum cleaner for cleaning.

Limit the Use of Salt

Salt melts ice, but overuse can damage the hardwood. Cleaning floors frequently will help remove the salt, but bits of it can still remain and this can damage the floor over time.

Consider using products such as sand and fertilizers instead of salt to melt ice. These products too can damage your hardwood floor. So, be sure to use them in moderation. Use heated mats for entrance ways and porches.

Use Furniture Pads

This is a good practice for all seasons but particularly for the winter because hardwood is at a higher risk of damage.

Well-designed pads prevent scratches and ugly marks on the wood. Invest in high-quality pads and customize them to your furniture. Replace pads regularly.

In Conclusion

These measures can help improve the life of your wood floor and keep them safe during the harsh winter months. Looking to replace your wood floor? Explore the vast collection of wood and engineered wood flooring from Stories Flooring.