Protecting Your Hardwood Floors During Winter Months

Protecting Your Hardwood Floors During Winter Months

January 31, 2016
Snow Boots
Boot Tray

Winter – a high-stress time for your floors, especially in the Cincinnati area. One week it can be 25 degrees and 9” of snow, the next week it can be -5 below zero with a wind chill of -20 below, and the following week, a balmy 65 degrees! One thing’s for sure, the Cincinnati weather will always surprise you! Nonetheless, you never want surprises for your hardwood floors. During these winter months, you want to take the necessary precautions to protect your investment now. Even with those messy boots and shoes, we have some simple advice for new owners of hardwood flooring that will help protect their floors during these cold, but unpredictable winter months!

·         Use doormats or rugs at your door – This is a perfect place to take off those wet, snowy boots and keep the ‘brown’ snow from being trampled throughout your house. Another use for those rugs is to ‘bunch’ them up together and place them right at the bottom of the door to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Be sure to remove the rugs if they get too wet and place them elsewhere to dry a bit

·         Get a ‘boot’ tray or ‘basket to put your shoes/boots the moment you walk in the house. Old milk cartons are perfect for putting them in and you can place an old towel just under to keep the moisture off your floor

·         Use walk-off mats at your entrances – A sturdy walk-off at our front and back doors are great for high moisture. Not only will they not hold in the moisture, but they’re great at ‘kicking’ off the mud, snow and salt buildup off the footwear

·         Hardwood Floor Cleaners – Make sure you have a good floor cleaner for those hard surfaces. Most hardwood floor manufacturers will recommend specific cleaners for their products, which help keep your warranty in-tact. A good cleaner will not only remove the salt that tracks in on your shoes, but also allows you to keep your floors looking great!

·         Manage the Heat – During the cold, winter months, we immediately turn up the heat in our homes to stay warm. By doing so, however, your home can dry out the hardwood, leading to problems like shrinkage and cracked floorboards. Run a humidifier in your home to keep moisture in the air at the most optimal levels year round.