These boots are made for walking. And that’s just what they’ll do. But one of these days these boots are going to track snow and salt into your home and ruin your hardwood floors and carpets. Here are some tips for taking care of your floors this winter.

MATS GALORE

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution. And there isn’t a simpler way to protect your floors than by throwing down a protective rug or covering.
 
Place coverings at entrance ways and areas of heavy foot-traffic, and remember to clean or replace your mats when necessary so they can keep protecting your home from ice melt residue, standing water, and mud.
 
A humble mat can be the difference your floors need to stay healthy all winter.
 

CLEAN CORRECTLY

A mat can’t be your only line of defense, though. Even with a place to wipe your feet, the signs of winter will start showing up on your floors. Specifically, your floor’s nightmare, ice melt residue (DUN-DUN-DUNNNNN).
 
Luckily for us Midwesterners, there are cleaning products specifically designed for getting the white, abrasive stains left behind by salt off of your hardwood and tile. Contact the manufacturer of your floor, or a local building expert, to find out which cleaning products are recommended and safe. Ice melt residue not only looks bad, but can end up scratching your floors, damaging the finish, and sometimes even the wood itself.
 
It’s also EXTREMELY important to not let puddles from melting snow or ice sit on your floors for too long. Standing water can and will damage floors, especially hardwood.
 

SALT TO TASTE

Another, great way to make sure the inside of your home isn’t being beat up is to take care of the outside.
 
Don’t want snow and ice getting tracked in?
Shovel regularly and thoroughly.
 
Don’t want salt staining and scratching your floors?
Salt in moderation and sweep away any excess after it’s completed its job.
 

CONTAIN THE MESS

Dedicate a space of your home to housing grimy galoshes, soaked snow pants, and muddy mittens.
 
It doesn’t even have to be its own room, but could just be a hall closet, or a corner of the garage (though, if you have kids, a whole room won’t even seem like enough).
 
Managing the mayhem of all you and your families winter gear can seem like a daunting task, but compared to replacing your floors next summer, it’s a cakewalk.
 
For beautiful floors worth protecting, and beautiful homes to match, explore our website.