The kitchen is often the busiest room in the home, and it’s not unusual for hardwood floors to take a beating from everyday wear and tear. Whether you have traditional hardwood or engineered wood, it’s important to protect your flooring from spills, scratches, and other messes. Here are some tips on how to protect hardwood floors in kitchen.
Can You Protect Hardwood Floors in Kitchen?
Hardwood floors are beautiful, but they require special care in a kitchen due to the constant moisture and spills accompanying cooking and eating. Fortunately, you can take steps to protect hardwood flooring while still enjoying the functionality of a kitchen.
Placing mats in frequently-trafficked areas can absorb excess moisture, while sealants or polyurethane coatings can create an impermeable barrier that resists moisture and stains. Additionally, cleaning messes promptly after they occur is important so that liquids do not seep into the wooden boards.
With proper preparation and maintenance, your hardwood floors will remain pristine for years to come.
Why Should You Protect Hardwood Floors in Kitchen?
Having hardwood floors in your kitchen can add a beautiful aesthetic to the space; however, it is important to protect them from scuffs and scratches that may occur from normal day-to-day activities. Areas of high humidity should also be prevented, as this may lead to warping or cracking of the wood.
Using area rugs or mats in front of the sink and stove will help absorb any moisture and protect the floors from spills or splatters. Additionally, placing felt glides on chairs and furniture will prevent scratching when items are moved around the kitchen. Proper maintenance ensures your hardwood floors remain stunning while protecting them from any damage.
7 Tips to Follow on How to Protect Hardwood Floors in Kitchen
1. Choose Non-Abrasive Cleaners
Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners that strip away protective coatings or damage the finish when cleaning hardwood floors. Instead, opt for gentle soaps and non-abrasive mops with soft microfiber heads that won’t scratch or scuff your flooring. Clean up spills immediately to ensure they don’t seep into the wood and cause permanent discoloration or warping.
2. Use Rugs and Mats
Place rugs or mats at doorways leading into the kitchen as a simple way to help protect hardwood floors from dirt and moisture. If possible, select mats made of natural materials such as wool or jute since synthetic fibers may scratch the surface of your hardwood flooring over time.
Additionally, be sure to shake out any mats or area rugs regularly so that dirt doesn’t get tracked onto your floors each time someone enters the kitchen.
3. Add Furniture Pads
Adding furniture pads beneath the legs of chairs and tables provides an extra layer of protection against scratching when moving furniture around on hardwood floors in a kitchen.
You can also use caster wheels on heavy appliances such as refrigerators if you need an easier way to move them without scratching your floors. Be sure to check all furniture pads and casters regularly for signs of wear, so they don’t damage your flooring while in use.
4. Use Runners and Area Rugs
Area rugs are great for adding a pop of color or pattern to a kitchen, and they can also provide an extra layer of protection for hardwood floors. Choose rugs that are the right size for your space and made of durable materials such as wool or jute so they stand up to heavy foot traffic in the kitchen.
For added protection along high-traffic walkways, lay down runners in between cabinets or other fixtures that make it easier to move from one side of the room to another without causing scuff marks on your hardwood floors.
5. Avoid Excess Moisture
Mopping with too much water is one of the most common mistakes people make when cleaning hardwood floors in a kitchen.
Excess moisture can seep into the wood and cause permanent damage, so use just enough water to dampen the mop head before wiping down your floors instead of soaking it with too much liquid. To keep your floors looking as good as new, be sure to dry them completely after mopping as well.
6. Clean Spills Immediately
Regardless of the type of flooring in your kitchen, spills should always be cleaned up immediately to avoid staining or discoloration. When it comes to hardwood floors, this is especially true since any liquids that are left sitting on the surface for too long may soak into the wood and cause permanent damage.
So, be sure to quickly wipe up any spills with a soft cloth or microfiber mop head to keep your floors looking like new for years to come.
7. Seal the Flooring
Sealing hardwood floors in a kitchen is an important step in protecting them from moisture, dirt, and other debris that can damage their finish over time.
Make sure you use a sealant specifically designed for hardwood flooring and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when applying it to ensure it lasts as long as possible before needing another coat.
Regularly sealing your hardwood kitchen floor will help extend its life while keeping it looking great year after year.
That’s it! You’ve now learned how to protect hardwood floors in kitchen to look like new for years to come. By following these tips, you can ensure that your flooring stays protected from everyday wear and tear and continues to look beautiful for years down the road. With proper care, your hardwood kitchen floor will remain in top condition for many years to come.
Things You Need to Know Before Protecting Hardwood Floors in Kitchen
Protecting hardwood floors in your kitchen is essential for keeping your floors looking beautiful. But before you begin protecting your hardwood floors, there are a few things that you should know.
First, be aware of what kind of finish is on the floor; wax or oil-based sealant works best for waxed hardwood surfaces, while polyurethane or water-based sealant may be better for an oil-treated floor. Additionally, make sure to use mats and non-marking rugs where food is served, as any spills and mess can cause damage.
Finally, when it comes time to clean, only use cleaners designed specifically for hardwood floors, as harsh chemicals can affect the sealer and could cause discoloration or even warping in the wood if used too often.
Knowing these simple tips beforehand will ensure that you are giving your kitchen’s hardwood floors the love they deserve and keep them looking great for years to come!
Benefits of Protecting Hardwood Floors in Kitchen
Protecting hardwood floors in the kitchen can offer numerous benefits to homeowners. Not only do kitchen floor mats help to reduce noise and promote safety, but they can also extend the wood’s life by providing a barrier between the wood and dirt, oils, or liquids that might otherwise ruin it.
As if that weren’t enough, they are also less expensive and easier to clean than replacing or refinishing damaged wood – an important factor when considering how often food and beverage spills occur in busy, high-traffic kitchens. So adding mats to a kitchen can make great sense, given these many advantages.
4 Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Protecting Hardwood Floors in Kitchen
1. Not Sweeping or Vacuuming Regularly
One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to protect their hardwood floors is not sweeping or vacuuming regularly. While it may seem like a hassle, sweeping or vacuuming your floors weekly will help remove dirt, dust, and other debris that can scratch and damage your floors.
2. Not Using Doormats
Another common mistake people make is not using doormats. Doormats help to capture dirt, dust, and other debris before it has a chance to get on your floors. Be sure to place doormats at all entrances to your home to help keep your floors clean.
3. Wearing Shoes with High Heels
Wearing shoes with high heels is another common mistake that can damage hardwood floors. High heels can leave behind dents and scratches on your floors, so it’s best to avoid wearing them altogether. If you must wear heels, be sure to choose a pair with a soft sole to minimize the risk of damage.
4. Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
Using the wrong cleaning products is another mistake that can damage hardwood floors. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can strip the finish from your floors and leave them looking dull. Instead, opt for a gentle cleaner that is specifically designed for hardwood floors.
Conclusion
With just a few simple steps, you can help protect your kitchen’s hardwood floor from everyday wear and tear while keeping it looking like new for many years ahead.
Choose non-abrasive cleaners when cleaning up spills, place rugs at doorways leading into the kitchen, add furniture pads beneath chairs and tables legs, and consider using caster wheels on heavy appliances like refrigerators when moving them around the room.
Following these tips will help ensure that you maintain a beautiful hardwood floor in your kitchen without sacrificing durability! Thanks for reading our post about how to protect hardwood floors in kitchen.