Hardwood floors can create a warm, polished ambiance in your home, but only if they are in decent condition. Over time, floors can become scratched and damaged, diminishing the effect and putting flooring at a higher risk for further problems. Here are a few hardwood flooring maintenance tips for pet owners, so you can prevent problems in the future. 

3 Ways to Prevent Hardwood Floor Damage

1. Wipe Down Paws After Walks 

You never know what kind of grime your pet’s paws will pick up while they are on a walk. From road salt and chemicals to dirt and feces, dirty paws can cause indoor messes fast. To keep your floors clean and odor-free, always wipe down your pet’s paws outside before bringing them inside. 

2. Clean Up Messes Quickly 

When pets make a mess or have an accident inside, focus on cleaning up the area as quickly as possible. If liquids are left standing on hardwood floors, they can damage the protective varnish or seep beneath the planks, leading to possible warping or mold, as well as smells. Keep hardwood floor cleaner and soft cloths on hand at all times to make it fast and easy to clean up messes. 

3. Consider Nail Caps

To prevent scratches, consider getting your pet’s nails capped. These plastic or acrylic coverings help prevent the hard, sharp edge of an animal’s claws from scratching your hardwood floor. Protective nail caps are available at pet stores and online retailers and can be applied easily in the comfort of your own home. As an added bonus, nail caps are humane and available in a range of colors, making it easy to protect your animal and show off their fun personality. 

Whether your hardwood floor has been damaged by your pets or you are simply considering an upgrade, the team at Gene's Floor Covering II can help. For more than 30 years, these flooring professionals have been helping home and business owners throughout Gulf Shores, AL, with everything from installing and repairing hardwood floors to providing gorgeous area rugs, tiles, and stones. If you need to upgrade your flooring, visit their website or call (251) 968-6456.