5 Floor Protection Tips to Use This Winter

Winter will be upon us before you know it, and with the winter season comes snow, ice, and frigid temperatures here in the north. While you may enjoy the prospect of waking up to a winter wonderland sometime soon, your home’s floors won’t feel the same.

Winter weather can wreak havoc on all types of flooring—hardwood, tile, vinyl, carpeting, etc. If you don’t take the proper measures to protect your floors from winter dirt, grime, and moisture, you could be looking at a big bill for repairs or even replacement come spring.

To preserve the quality of your floors for the upcoming winter, follow these five floor protection tips!

1) Utilize Protective Mats

The best way to protect your floors during the winter season is to minimize the amount of dirt, salt, moisture, and other debris to which they are exposed. An easy way to do this is to place shoe mats inside and outside entryways. This should include front, back, and side doors and attached garage entrances. Don’t forget to clean and vacuum these mats every few weeks so they continue to catch debris effectively.

2) Ensure Everyone Removes Their Shoes Before Entering

Asking household members and visiting guests to take their shoes off before entering your home is another good measure for keeping damaging winter debris at the door. Place boot trays and shoe racks visibly at the inside of entrances to encourage shoe removal. Or, if you want to be more direct, place a friendly sign at the door asking people to put their shoes on the mat before entering.

For pet owners, remember that your furry household members can’t remove their paws, so you’ll need to wipe them down after every venture outdoors.

3) Use Area Rugs in High-Traffic Areas

In addition to making your home feel cozier for winter, area rugs act as a great barrier between your floors and the outdoor winter materials that will inevitably get tracked in. Like your door mats, you should also routinely vacuum rugs in the winter to prevent moisture and dirt from becoming embedded. Area rugs will also serve as an extra layer of protection from the increased holiday foot traffic your floors will likely see.

4) Keep Up with Regular Floor Cleaning  

When the snow starts to fall and the winter boots come out, it’s time to increase the frequency of your sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming. Salt and dirt can quickly scratch and dull your floors’ finish, so removing them as quickly as possible is important. Similarly, you should not waste any time mopping up moisture from snow or ice that sneaks by the door, particularly if you have hardwood floors that are susceptible to warping from excessive moisture.

Pro Tip: In rooms with hardwood floors, using a humidifier can help maintain consistent moisture levels in the air and prevent damage that can occur from too much fluctuation in humidity. Plus, it will also help protect any wood furniture you may have in the room as well.

5) Protect Floors from Furniture Scratches

Indoor activities tend to increase during the winter, leading to more furniture movement and potential scratching of floors. To prevent this:

• Ensure all your furniture has proper floor protectors, like felt pads, on the legs.
• Check these protectors regularly and replace them if they’re worn out.
• If you’re rearranging furniture for the season, consider using furniture sliders to avoid scratching the floor.

Winter can be tough on your floors, but with these tips, you can keep them protected and looking great throughout the season. Remember, a little bit of prevention can go a long way in maintaining the beauty and longevity of your flooring.

If your flooring has already seen too much damage from years of winter’s past, Conway Furniture can set you up with new custom floors for any room in the house! We carry a full range of flooring options from laminate to vinyl to hardwood or carpeting and more.

Contact our flooring team today at (519)291-3820 to get started with a free in-home estimate!