Holidays at home are a wonderful thing, but they can also be hard on your floors. SVB’s hardwood flooring experts know the holidays mean extra shoes on your floor, bits of food falling, and little messes to clean up. Before the season of parties, snow, and mistletoe takes off, find out how to take care of your floors so they’ll be beautiful before, during, and after the holidays.
Vacuum Regularly
We don’t always think of vacuuming as a way to protect our floor. Even if your floor isn’t ‘dirty,’ you should vacuum once a week to keep dust and dirt away. Walking on those little grains can grind them into your hardwood, dulling the finish and eventually damaging it.
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Keep Water off the Floor
When you’re bringing plants inside for the season, place them on trays to protect your floors. If cold weather causes leaks or brings in water, clean up messes immediately. Have a plan for wet or snowy shoes—use mats or rugs before people step onto your hardwood. If the weather is bad or the party is casual, consider a ‘no shoes’ policy.
Related Read: 3 Decorative Ideas for Keeping Wet Shoes off Your Hardwood Floors
Embrace Your Furniture
Holiday parties can mean moving chairs, adding tables, and rearranging rooms. Before the season starts, add floor protectors to your furniture legs. If you’ve never used them or had trouble getting them to stick, check out our tips to keep floor protectors put.
Know Your Floor
Your flooring manufacturer or installer knows hardwood best. Ask for the best care tips for your specific floor. Keep details—care instructions, finish type, wood species, etc. Hardwood floors are a long-term investment, and you won’t remember every detail years later.
Don’t:
Clean using anything abrasive. Tools like steel wool or ammonia can damage your floor. If something sticky won’t come off, like wax or gum, apply ice. Once it hardens, lift it carefully using a credit card or putty knife without scratching the floor.
Ignore the humidity in your home. Floors dry and shrink when humidity is too low, and swell or buckle when it’s too high. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier if needed. Ideal indoor humidity is 35%–50%, and winter usually lowers humidity.
Forget the rugs. High-traffic areas need protection. Guests in heels or kids with hard toys can leave tiny dents. Place a rug to protect your hardwood while still showing it off in less-trafficked areas.
These simple but important tips can keep your floors beautiful and your holiday easy. At SVB, we want you to be thrilled with your home year-round. If your floors are already damaged or looking aged, it may be time to refinish. Call Kansas City’s hardwood floor specialists at (816) 965-8655 to get the best hardwood team on your floor before the guests arrive!
