Pets, especially dogs, can be tough on the hardwood floors in your home, but you can minimize the damage an animal may cause if you follow these four do’s and don’ts of hardwood flooring maintenance.

Do:

Use rugs, mats & carpets.

Use area rugs, mats, and carpets to keep claws, hair, and dirt off floors. In high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms, floor coverings are especially recommended. Cleaning paws before your pets come inside will help preserve the condition of your hardwood as will catching spills by placing mats under food and water bowls.

Clean often.

Dirt, hair, and grime eat away at floor varnishes and coatings and give floors a faded, scuffed look. Sweep or vacuum at least once a day, if possible, and mop at least once a week. Be sure to use cleaning solutions and tools approved by hardwood floor manufacturers. It’s also a good idea to have your floors professionally cleaned once a month or so. Deep cleaning by a professional achieves results that your routine cleaning care can’t match.

Don’t:

Let accidents linger.

Accidents happen, pets get sick, and they upset bowls of food and water. If you let messes sit, the more damage, staining, warping, and discoloration they will cause. Cleaning them up as soon as possible is a necessity of hardwood floor maintenance.

Forget to clip nails.

Claws will scratch and mar hardwood flooring. Because long nails can bite into hardwoods, have your pet’s nails trimmed regularly to limit the damage, and use hardwood restoration products to fill in scuffs and small scratches as needed.

If you’re searching for a durable hardwood floor to install, the flooring contractors at W&W Flooring and Design in Foley, AL, will help. Serving all of Baldwin County, they offer high-quality flooring solutions and maintenance, and their knowledgeable staff can guide you to the hardwood best suited for your needs. They also sell and install carpet, tile, laminate, and backsplashes, all at competitive prices and with financing options available. Learn more about their flooring products online, or call (251) 970-5244 to place an order today.