As winter is approaching, it is very important to take extra care to look after your hardwood floor during the next few months. Hardwood floors are a natural product and can become damaged and scratched if not looked after properly. During colder and wetter months of the year it can be difficult to avoid the harsh elements from outside. The main problems for your wooden floor can be water, dirt and debris brought in from outdoors.
The biggest offender is grit, stones or dirt that can stick to the bottom of your shoes and brought inside. Scratches and dents are inevitable if you walk on top of anything sharp. Rainwater, snow or slush can be also be detrimental to your hardwood floor. If water is left to sit on your hardwood floor, it could soak into the wood and cause it to become discoloured and warped.
Despite the elements being against you, you can avoid damage to your wooden floor by following some simple care and maintenance advice.
Advice for looking after your hardwood floor in winter
Use doormats at all entrance doors
These will hopefully catch any gravel, grit, snow or water brought indoors on your footwear. Remember to keep these mats clean and dry and even consider having spare mats for extremely wet and cold days.
Remove your shoes and footwear
This should be done anyway but is even more important in wet and damp weather. Try to keep your wet or dirty footwear in a porch or garage if possible and never leave them on top of your wooden floor. If you do not have a porch or garage, then consider using a spare doormat specifically for footwear. Remember to let friends, family and other visitors know this too.
Be prepared for extra wet days
If you know that it is going to be very wet or snowy, then be prepared for this and keep towels by the front door in case clothing is wet. The towels can be used to remove any excess wetness from clothing. Alternatively, you can use them to wipe up any water that may have dripped on the floor. In addition, keeping towels handy is a great idea, especially if you have pets with wet or dirty paws.
Keep your hardwood floors clean
Again, this should be done anyway, but it is especially important during winter months. We would recommend that you sweep up any dirt and grit daily, or as often as you notice it. Cleaning your wooden floors every couple of days (with a wooden floor cleaner) will also help to reduce damage arising from the changing weather conditions.
Bona Wood Floor Spray Mop
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