Like nails to a chalkboard, there's arguably nothing worse than the sound of furniture screeching on the floor — unless, of course, your floors are made of genuine hardwood, then that's way worse.
A timeless beauty, genuine hardwood is a tough flooring option to beat. It's gorgeous, classy, and adds to the style of any room. However, despite being almost perfect in every way, hardwood floors are prone to scratches due to the nature of wood.
For those living the solo life or in a bubble, keeping your hardwood floors in pristine condition is a breeze. As for the rest of us with little monsters running around or fur babies who frequently get the zoomies — it's not that simple.
But don't worry — BulbHead is here to the rescue!
Read on as we explore hardwood floors in all their glory to uncover the best tips and tricks to keep them in tip-top shape.
But First, Why Do Hardwood Floors Scratch So Easily?
After months (or longer!) of saving up, you've finally gathered the funds to get rid of that ugly old shag carpet and replace it with beautiful hardwood flooring. You make a few phone calls, put down a payment, and the next thing you know... your home is transformed.
Elegant and classic with a bit of warmth, you soak in your new living space, almost in disbelief it's yours. But just as you we're in the middle of a daydream, envisioning fancy gatherings in your new and improved home receiving a downpour of compliments on your new floor, it happens. "SQUEEEEK."
Cute as a button, yet totally clueless, you turn to find your pint-sized superhero showcasing their "super strength" by pushing the sofa a few inches across the floor. Crossing your fingers and calling on good karma, you walk over to the area in question and let out a big sigh: your brand new hardwood flooring is now scratched.
As devastating as it may be, hardwood floors are unfortunately prone to scuffs, gouges, and scratches simply due to the nature of wood.
In other words, ugly marks on your new hardwood flooring were bound to happen. Whether due to Fido's claws or even your favorite sky-high heels, blemishes and wood floors go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Top Tips To Keep Your Wood Floors Looking Fresh
Of all the ways that wood floors can scratch, the most common is due to furniture. Luckily, we've got a few tips and tricks up our sleeve that just may help to keep your genuine hardwood safe and sound.
Tip #1: Never Push, Pull, or Drag Furniture
This tip is a bit of a no-brainer, but it's important, so we're listing it. To prevent marking up your beautiful floors, never, ever push, pull, or drag furniture.
Arguably the biggest culprit of hardwood floor scratches simply due to the weight of the item being moved; if you're trying to redecorate your living room, recruit the help of a buddy to lift the furniture before carrying it to its new place.
Tip #2: Say NO To Chairs With Wheels
While it might be tempting to roll from room to room on a chair with wheels, these chairs are notorious for scratching up floors.
Why? Because as they roll, dirt and grit tend to get caught on them, which can quickly scuff up the floor with every roll.
Stick with stationary furniture and say no to chairs that roll.
Tip #3: Roll Out the Rugs
One of the easiest ways to prevent furniture from hurting your vulnerable hardwood floors is to offer a barrier. What kind of barrier, you ask? A rug.
Not only will a soft rug protect against scratches, but it adds a warm, cozy vibe and a splash of extra style to the space.
Tip #4: Keep It Clean
Dirt and debris can easily add a wide array of marks to the floor. Whether they adhere to the wheels on your office chair or stick to the bottom of your feet, if there's a will, there's a way. And if there's a way, then expect your beautiful floors to get scratched.
After getting your new wood floors installed, clean regularly to keep dirt and debris away. Sweep the floors before mopping and vacuum the furniture to suck up any lurking crumbs, dust, or other debris.
Tip #5: Cha-Cha Slide!
Furniture legs aren't just loud, but they can cause quite a bit of damage to your beautiful wood floors. Simple floor protectors can help to keep your floors looking flawless for years. Look for cushions that adhere to the bottom of furniture legs so that when your furniture moves, your floors are perfectly safe.
Chair leg covers protect your floors slide effortlessly (but without the noise). This prevents scratching.
Tip #6: Always Check the Feet
Keep an eye on old furniture feet and always check new furniture prior to placing it on your beloved hardwood floor. If you notice that the feet have become worn and rough, you may want to consider doing some light sanding with a sandpaper sheet to make sure they won't scuff the flooring.
Tip #7: Enforce the Law, “No Shoes Inside”
Shoes can easily mark up your precious hardwood floors. So, an easy way to reduce the risk of scuffing via shoe is to simply enforce a strict "No shoes inside" rule.
You can totally toss your shoes in a plastic or rubber bin, but this is best for muddy rain boots. You don’t want to be rushing to pair shoes together as you race out the door. A shoe organizer is the best way to keep your shoes organized, dust-free, and from damaging your floors.
Tip #8: Consider Furniture That Rolls
A little earlier, we provided you with some great advice to avoid chairs with wheels, so this tip may seem a bit confusing, but “wheel” explain.
Furniture that rolls is only acceptable when it's not going to roll on a daily basis.
For example, a computer chair with wheels is always rolling about — it's not exactly stationary. A massive entertainment center, however, is only going to move from its designated spot when you're on a mission to redecorate the house.
So with this in mind, large pieces of furniture with wheels can make it much easier to move without the worry of scratches and scrapes or pulling a muscle in your back.
Think of other things that might… be a total drag. Let’s take a look at this scenario: You did your research and bought some awesome cleaning supplies to keep those wooden floors pristine.
However, you might be your own worst enemy here. If you are dragging around your mop bucket, you are hurting your floors as you clean them. A mop spin dolly is your best bet to keep that bucket from scratching up the very floors you clean. Plus, with a good spinning mop, the opportunities for dancing and cleaning are endless.
Easy Solutions for Hard Floors
So, what's the best way to protect your hardwood floors from furniture, you ask?
There are so many steps you can take to avoid scuffing up your beautiful hardwood floors. Cleaning them properly is your first line of defense. Not only is dust unsightly (and a super common allergy cause), but it will scratch up your floors and leave you shaking your fists at the sky.
Taking your shoes off as you enter your home is another great way to keep your floors looking spick-and-span, but also can keep yucky bacteria from entering your personal castle. If you’d like, grab a pair of fuzzy socks or gentle slippers—a bathrobe and mug of tea are highly recommended to complete the set.
We are the home of bright ideas and practical solutions. You can always count on BulbHead to have exactly what you need to solve your problems.
From preventing the dreaded scratch on your coveted hardwood floors to innovative mops that practically do the work for you, our vast inventory of Bright Ideas is second to none.
Ready to protect your hardwood floors from scratches, scuffs, marks, and more?
Check out our blog today and see how we can help make life a little simpler tomorrow.
Sources:
What are Dog Zoomies? Why Your Dog Runs Around in Circles | American Kennel Club
A Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods | American Hardwood
How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost? A Guide to Wood Flooring Prices | Bob Vila
