5 Tips to Protect Your Floors This Summer Season

Summer is all about having fun and spending quality time with friends and family. Unfortunately, all of this activity and “quality time” can really do a number on your floors.

Here are five tips to keep them in tip-top shape all summer long:

 

Tip #1 – Place Mats at Entryways

You’ve swept, vacuumed, dusted, and have your home ready for company, but all of this hard work can easily come undone with a few muddy steps. The simple truth is, foot traffic can do a serious number on your floors.

Without even knowing, guests can track sand and dirt past the front door and onto your floors, which can scratch wood, laminate, and even some tile floors.

Gone to the beach or swam in the pool? They can also track water indoors, which can damage hardwood when not caught quickly.

To help keep your floors free from damage this summer, start by placing mats at each of your home’s entryways. While you greet guests, the mats will do the dirty work of soaking up water, mud, and dirt before it gets tracked across your floors and through your home.

If guests always tend to congregate in certain areas of your home, consider placing extra mats or throw rugs down in key areas to help protect your floors as well. Opt for bright summer-themed rugs to make the atmosphere even more festive.

 

Tip #2 – Encourage Guests to Wipe or Take Off Their Shoes

To keep sand, dirt, and the other elements from damaging your floors, consider asking your guests to take off their shoes. Having a shoeless house is proven to have a host of benefits.

If you’re hosting sensibilities won’t allow you to be so blunt, at least ask guests to wipe their shoes on the mats you’ve placed down.

Don’t feel like asking? Try placing a fun homemade sign by the door to request they wipe their shoes on your behalf. It’s simple, subtle, and sure to get the point across.

 

Tip #3 – Get a shoe rack

Sneakers, thongs, and other soft-soled shoes may not damage your floors, but heels and hard-soled shoes certainly will.

Rather than repairing damage after it occurs, be proactive and consider enacting a plan to protect your home’s vinyl, laminate, or hardwood floors this summer.

While you can simply have guests toss their shoes into a pile or slip them off in a row by the front door, a shoe rack will give them a dedicated place to put their shoes and keep the area clean and clutter-free. It will also result in a higher success rate.

So, invest in quality shoe rack – one that’s stylish and large enough to hold the shoes of each guest. If guests often enter through a patio or deck door, garage, or another entryway, place a shoe rack there as well.

Another tip is to place a chair next to the shoe rack. Although flip flops or heels may slide right on and off, boots and sneakers require unlacing, so a seat will definitely help.

 

If you’re hosting a large summer party or expecting lots of company, consider placing a few stools near the entryway instead. This will help avoid traffic jams near the entrance.

 

Tip #4 – Place Felt Pads Under Your Furniture Legs

When hosting a summer gathering, your family and friends will need a comfortable place to sit and relax.

While your tables, chairs, and the rest of your furniture may stay in their place the rest of the year, come time for summer festivities they may need shifted around a bit.

Unfortunately, moving furniture around on vinyl or hardwood floors can cause some serious damage. Without a layer of protection between your floors and furniture, nicks and scratches can easily occur.

To keep this from happening, place soft felt pads underneath every table leg, chair leg, couch leg, and so on. Not only will they make moving your furniture to create conversation nooks and gathering spaces all the easier, but they will protect your floors from scratches and other damage as well.

 

Tip #5 – Put Out an Extra Bin or Two

You may love entertaining family and friends and having them over for summer BBQs, but no one likes cleaning up afterwards.

Tidying up might not worry you, but overflowing bins and spilled drinks can wreak havoc on your floors. To protect your home’s floors from messes, spills, stains, and water damage, place an extra bin or two in high-traffic areas.

Also, make sure to regularly check them throughout the party and put a fresh bag in if they start to fill up.

 

Summ(er)ing it Up

Regardless of what parties and festivities you’re planning this summer, don’t let all of the celebrating ruin your floors.

Whether you want to avoid wet footprints, elude damage from spills, prevent scratches from moving furniture around, or hopefully, all of the above, these simple tips will certainly help.

Be proactive this summer and keep your floors looking beautiful for many more summers to come.