Winter Flooring Maintenance Hacks for Canadian Homeowners

A simple way to protect floors from wear and tear is to prevent dirt and moisture from entering the house. Place a tough outdoor mat near the entry.

Ask everyone to remove their winter boots near the entrance. Doing so can reduce the chances of road salt, mud, and water coming inside the house.

Road salt is very common during winters in Canada. Road salt may look like a white mark on the floor when it dries. Salt grit may also scratch specific flooring materials when you step on it.

Regularly cleaning and sweeping walkways is an effective way to keep dust and salt off. If there is any mark on the flooring, use a cleaning agent appropriate for that flooring.

Don’t use too much water on the floor, especially on the hardwood and laminate flooring. Wipe the moisture from the entrance whenever you see it.

Boots covered with snow and wet clothing create puddles in the vicinity of doors and hallways. While hardwood flooring brings comfort and character to your home, it is also prone to swelling, staining, or damage in case of constant contact with moisture.

To clean the floor effectively, keep a towel nearby to dry out the wet areas. Use a mop and make sure it does not get soaked.

Homeowners might want to consider engineered hardwood for their wood floors. Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid hardwood but is not waterproof. You can compare different wood finishes and constructions at showrooms such as Relative FW.

In winter, heaters can dry the air and can affect the wood flooring. If humidity drops, the flooring can dry, and cracks may appear between boards.

It is necessary to keep humidity within reasonable, steady values during winter. According to flooring producers, relative humidity should be at about 35-55%, but optimal values can vary according to the particular product.

Use a hygrometer to measure humidity, and a humidifier to increase moisture in the air. Always remember to follow your flooring manufacturer’s recommendations.

Winter boots carry grit, stones, and other debris that could damage your floor. Place a shoe rack near the entrance and ask the guests to change their shoes before entering the house.

Use felt pads under furniture to avoid damaging the floors while moving furniture. If you have pets, make sure their nails are trimmed, and their paws are cleaned before and after taking them out.

Runners are an added advantage in hallways. Check for any dampness under the rugs.

Not all floor cleaners are good for all floor types. Floor cleaners made for tiles can be too strong for some hardwood floors. Excess water will spoil laminate floors.

To clean floors, read the instructions given by the manufacturer. Use either a soft broom or a vacuum suitable for hard floors to sweep up the dirt. Select a floor cleaner recommended by the floor manufacturer. Do not use abrasive pads or steam cleaners unless it is explicitly stated.

Maintenance is enough instead of cleaning when dirt has accumulated.

Ensure your floors are inspected at least every month or two during winter. Look for signs such as persistent salt marks, lifted edges, gaps, discoloration, or any area where water might be pooling.

Areas which get a lot of wear should particularly be checked. The sooner you find problems and solve them, the less you will need to do later.

However, in case of swelling, constant dampness, or other changes on the flooring, find the source of moisture before repairing anything.

Floor maintenance in winter need not be difficult at all. Use of mats at entrances, sweeping, proper humidity inside the house, and appropriate cleaning supplies will protect your floors.

Homeowners in Canada can enjoy a clean interior in the cold weather months by adopting these small practices in their day-to-day lives.