The flooring that you install in your home should last several years before you even have to consider replacement. If your flooring isn't lasting that long, chances are, you aren't choosing the type of flooring that will fit into your lifestyle very well. This blog is all about choosing flooring that will fit into your lifestyle and last you many, many years before you have to rip it up and replace it. You will also find tips for keeping it looking like new as it survives the abuse that your family, friends and pets put it through during the course of the year.
You've moved into a home with gorgeous original hardwood floors. The only problem is that you don't know how to get them to look their best or properly care for them. Luckily, taking care of your hardwood floors is reasonably straightforward and simple. Here are four tips for doing so:
Start with Professional Refinishing
The first thing you should do is schedule a professional refinishing. When you have your hardwood floors professionally refinished, any scratches, scuffs, or stains will be removed and your floors will look brand new. This allows you to keep the character and charm of the old floors, while getting to enjoy floors that shine and gleam like new at the same time.
If you try to refinish the floors yourself, you will not only spend painstaking days or even weeks crawling on your hands and knees, but you will also risk messing them up. Instead, hire an expert to beautify your floors as quickly as possible.
Add Protective Pads to Your Furniture
Now that your floors are refinished, it's time to start protecting them. Purchase simple protective pads for your furniture online or at your favorite hardware store. Apply these to the feet of your chairs and couch. Now, if you move the furniture to clean or rearrange things, your furniture will glide gently over the hardwood floors without causing any scratches or other damage.
Keep Your Pets' Nails Trimmed
If your pets' nails are allowed to get too long they can easily scratch your hardwood floors. A good rule of thumb is that if you can hear a clicking noise when your pets walk across the floor, their nails are probably too long. Trim your dogs' and cats' nails on a regular basis, or bring them in to a pet groomer to tackle this task for you.
Start a "No Shoes Inside" Rule
You may think that wearing shoes inside is no big deal, but the truth is that your shoes track in all sorts of harsh substances. Things like pesticides from your grass and rock salt used to melt snow from your driveway in the winter can cause damage to your hardwood floors. The simplest way to avoid this is to get into the habit of removing your shoes when you come inside.
You can even purchase a decorative shoe cubby for your entrance way. As an added bonus, you may find that once your family stops wearing shoes inside, you no longer have to clean your floors as often.
By taking such great care of your hardwood floors, you and your family will be able to enjoy their beauty for many years to come.
Share13 January 2016
