Preventing Scratches on Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are beautiful accents to any home. They are an investment in time and money, so taking care of them is a priority. One of the most common problems with hardwood floors is their tendency to quickly become scratched. Preventing scratches on hardwood floors can be done with some easy steps.

Time for a Trim

Pets are some of the biggest hardwood floor scratching culprits. Their nails can easily create scratches and marks that turn a beautiful hardwood floor into a scratched-up mess. Simply trimming and smoothing their nails regularly will help prevent floor scratches. Most veterinarians or groomers offer nail trimming services, as well as, nail smoothing options. They lightly sand the edge of the nail to create a smooth surface that is less likely to cause scratches on the hardwood floor. It is worth the effort to keep the dog and cat's nails hardwood floor friendly.

Provide a Buffer

Friction caused by the feet of furniture against the hardwood floor is also another concern for floor scratches. Even if the chair or table legs seem smooth, they are much more likely to cause surface scratches on the hardwood floor if they are not cushioned. Small, felt pads are available from any home improvement store and are self-adhered to the bottom of the table and chair legs. They are also good for the bottom corners and sides of large buffets, coffee tables, sofas, and floor lamps. Although the furniture may not be repositioned very frequently in the room, even everyday use and bumping can cause small scratches on the floor. Those small scratches can quickly add up to significant floor damage if left untreated.

Move Together

Moving furniture around the room is another way that hardwood floors get scratched. It may be tempting to push the sofa across the room on its felt padded legs, but even with padding, the potential for surface scratches is present. It is best to wait for help and move furniture together. For lighter pieces, lifting the furniture completely off of the floor is the best bet. For heavier furniture pieces, like a hutch, use a tilt and cushion method. Have one person tilt one end of the hutch up and the other person place a thick towel under the elevated side. Lower the hutch to the towel. Lift the opposite end and slide the hutch carefully to the new location. Take the time to stop and make sure that no scratches are being created along the way.

Preventing scratches on hardwood floors can be done, but it requires a conscious choice to keep the floors in excellent condition. Trimming pets' nails, cushioning furniture, and using care when moving pieces will all help prevent scratches from occurring. Also, use care when cleaning the floor and skip abrasive cleaners and mops. A soft broom or micro-fiber cloth and a vacuum hose can quickly and easily clean most floors. The time spent taking care of hardwood floors will result in higher resale values and beautiful looking floors.