​Protect Your Hardwood From Salt Damage This Winter

What does a fresh snowfall mean to you? Is it a time to shovel the driveway, build a snowman or simply stay warm inside? At some point you will need to leave your home, and there is no foolproof way to avoid tracking snow back with you. Unfortunately for your hardwood floors, the road salt from parking lots, streets, or sidewalks will stick to the soles of your shoes and damage your flooring. Here are a few ways for you to limit the amount of salt being tracked into your home and also a way to clean salt-stained hardwood flooring.

Protection- A good place to start when you realize you are having a problem with salt damage and staining is to place mats inside and outside the main entries of your home. The outside mat removes a lot of snow and salt, while the inside mat soaks up the water that, if left on the hardwood flooring, can cause the wood to become warped. Another tip is to have everyone who enters your home remove their shoes and leave them to dry on a towel, mat, or rug. Not allowing the snow and salt to enter your home is the easiest way to avoid scratching the hardwood and damaging the finish.

Cleaning- If snow and salt still manage to make their way into your home, the next step is to clean up those nasty salt stains. The sooner you get around to cleaning the stains off your floor, the better. Allowing the salt to remain on the hardwood only furthers the damage it can cause. Here are a few steps for a simple cleaning process:

• Using a mop or cloth with warm water, clean up the larger deposits of salt and dirt.
• Make a mixture consisting of one part vinegar and one part water in a bowl or bucket.
• Using the mixture, soak the stained areas and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes.
• With a new cloth and warm, clean water, wipe the mixture off the floor.
• Dry the floor thoroughly to avoid water damage to your hardwood.

Hopefully this advice helps you maintain your hardwood during the long winter months and avoid needing to replace your flooring. If you still want to restore or replace your existing hardwood or even want your carpeting replaced with hardwood flooring, TotalHousehold has the contractors you need to make it happen. Click here for contractor listings near you.