Preparing Your Floors for Winter: Maintenance Tips and Tricks
As the winter season is upon us, now is the time to double down on your cleaning and put systems in place to protect your home and floors from dirt and damage.
Ice, rain, and debris can be dragged into the home from our shoes, causing scratches, holes, and an increase of general wear and tear to your floors.
By regularly maintaining your floors during the winter, you can avoid damage and preserve their look and feel. Follow our maintenance tips and tricks to prepare your floors for winter and increase their longevity.
The Impact of Winter on Different Flooring Types
The type of flooring in your home will determine how well it can withstand winter weather.
The increase of moisture, dirt, and salt in your home can cause more issues for hardwood floors. Reduced indoor humidity can cause the planks to contract and gaps to form between the boards. The increase in tracked snow and moisture can also lead to warping and swelling.
Laminate floors are more resistant to UK winter weather conditions. These floors can resist a good amount of moisture; however, standing water from puddles or melted snow can cause the planks to swell and warp.
For the most resilience, opt for vinyl flooring. This is highly resistant to moisture, making it perfect for dealing with rain, snow, and spills in the home. Vinyl can also handle slight temperature fluctuations without warping or cracking.
Ways to Protect Your Floors During Winter
There are plenty of easy ways to protect your floors from damage this winter, and they don’t have to cost a fortune!
These include:
- Use entryway mats: Add absorbent, non-slipping mats to doorways in your home, making sure guests clean their shoes before entering.
- Boot removal area: Place down a waterproof boot removal tray or shoe rack near your door to prevent snow, water, and debris from being tracked in.
- Clean floor daily: Mop and hoover your floors daily to remove any dirt, salt, and moisture from the surface. Avoid harsh cleaners to prevent scratches.
- Maintain indoor humidity levels: When the weather is cold outside, most homes will turn up the heat. To avoid floors shrinking or contracting, use a humidifier, keeping indoors between 35 and 55%.
- Place rugs in high-traffic areas: Rugs are a great way to protect your floors from shoes and furniture. Place these in kitchens, living rooms, and hallways, opting for materials that are easier to clean.
- Seal grout lines and refinish floors: If you have tile floors, seal any grout lines to prevent stains and mildew from forming from excessive dirt and moisture.
Specific Maintenance Tips for Each Flooring Type
For some extra guidance, we’ve included floor-specific tips and tricks to help you keep your home protected from damage this winter.
You can say goodbye to costly repairs or replacements and hello to reliable and glistening floors.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a popular choice in the home, as it’s cost-effective, easy to install, and comes in a variety of patterns and finishes.
To protect these floors during winter, avoid soaking the mop and instead opt for scrubbing with a slightly damp mop or cloth. This will avoid excessive moisture, protecting the floors from water damage.
When getting rid of debris, avoid vacuuming with a harsh vacuum, as this can scratch your floors. Sweep with a soft broom instead, or purchase a vacuum designed for hard floors.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Flooring
LVT offers the perfect combination of functionality and beauty. This includes waterproof properties, making it highly durable during winter, and it can handle heavy wear and tear.
When cleaning during the winter, vacuum the surface with a hard floor setting and avoid harsh cleaning products with abrasives, as this can damage the top layer of your floor.
Add felt pads under furniture, such as sofas, dining tables, and shelving, to prevent denting or scratches on your floor.
Hardwood Floors
Timeless and beautiful hardwood floors are the perfect choice for modern homes.
However, during the colder months, excessive moisture and high humidity can cause the floorboards to warp and move, resulting in gaps between the boards. Keep indoor humidity levels stable to maintain the floors' structural integrity and appearance.
Use wood-specific cleaner when mopping to protect the wood's finish, and wipe up any spills immediately to prevent staining.
Prepare your Home for Winter with Mersey Flooring
Has your old flooring overstayed its welcome? If so, it may be time for an upgrade.
At Mersey Flooring, we offer a wide range of flooring solutions, keeping your space cosy, clean, and resilient against moisture and dirt.
Our waterproof flooring is perfect for the winter, protecting your home from high moisture and humidity levels for years to come.