4 Secrets for Flooring Maintenance

Flooring is often the most expensive element in the home, and for most people, it’s also the most heavily abused. Think about it: any given day, your floors get walked on, spilled on, and perhaps jumped or scratched on if you have kids or pets. That’s why maintenance should always be a priority when it comes to flooring and carpet. No matter how durable a floor claims to be, it’s going to need a bit of work to keep it in shape. Unfortunately, that’s where many homeowners fail, and the result is too much money wasted in repairs that could easily have been avoided.

So how do you keep your floor in shape without wasting an hour on it every day? It’s not that hard—all it takes is a bit of discipline. Even five or ten minutes a day can make all the difference between a brand-new floor and a tattered-looking one. While some floors need more work than others, a few quick tricks can help lighten up the task. If you’re not sure how to go about it, here are some flooring maintenance tips you might want to try out.

Keep it dry.

Water and moisture are your floor’s biggest enemies. Even for non-porous materials such as glass, granite and marble, excessive moisture can cause stains and mold which can create permanent blemishes. For wood flooring, the risks are even greater since they absorb the water and keep it in for a long time. Make sure to keep the floor dry at all times, and wipe up spills as soon as possible so that they don’t set.

Of course, in some areas you can’t keep out moisture altogether—the kitchen and the bathroom are probably the best examples. For these rooms, your best bet is a tight, non-porous material that can be cleaned with just a quick wipe. Ceramic tile is a good choice because it’s coated with a hard finish, which keeps water from seeping in. Make sure to check the grout in between the tiles once in a while to keep mold and mildew from forming.

Manage foot traffic.

Next to moisture, foot traffic is the biggest source of a floor’s regular wear and tear. You may not notice it from day to day, but walking over your floor every day thins it out over the years. That’s why the amount of traffic the room gets should be a top consideration when choosing flooring. The more the room is used, the more durable the floor has to be. Some floors last longer than others, of course, but it always pays to invest in good quality.

Try to direct the traffic so that the same area doesn’t get used every day. If possible, create a wider path between adjacent rooms, particularly between the kitchen and the living room. This spreads out the traffic a bit and makes the space look roomier at the same time. Put frequently accessed items, such as the fridge and cupboards, in different parts of the room so that there’s more than one route that gets used every day.

Rearrange your furniture.

Another way you can even out the wear is to rearrange your furniture once in a while. That way, you don’t get skid marks from keeping the weight of the furniture too long in a single spot. This is especially useful for “soft” materials, such as carpets and cork floors. It’s also a good way to redirect foot traffic, as it changes the route people take to get from one point of the room to another. Try rearranging every month or two.

One thing you have to watch out for is the corners. Room corners are either overused or underused; either way, they can make or break the overall feel of the room. When you rearrange, make sure to alternate between empty and occupied corners. That means if one corner holds a shelf today, your next arrangement should leave it bare or light, with perhaps just a lamp or a magazine rack.

Cover it up.

Of course, the easiest way to protect your floor is just cover it up. Carpets are probably the first thing that comes to mind, but that’s not your only option. If you’re not up to the maintenance needs of a carpet floor, you can simply get area rugs. Not only do they protect your floor from the elements, they also add a nice touch of color to your home. If you have a theme going, a well-chosen area rug can tie all your design choices together and provide a nice finishing touch.

You can even experiment a bit and change up your area rugs once in a while. Since they don’t require installation, it’s just a matter of rolling it up and laying out a new one whenever you feel like it. Try creating seasonal themes or using a different area rug for every room.

Designing a home is one thing; keeping it in shape is another. Whether you’re living alone or with a large family, there’s always some work to be done to make sure your home stays looking like new. But that doesn’t mean you should spend an hour each day cleaning up—it’s just a matter of keeping a schedule and being responsible. With a bit of planning, you can keep your home in top form, keep it in style, and protect your biggest investment—all in just a few minutes a day.

Start by taking steps to protect your floor. The floors get more abuse than any other part of the home, and they’re often the first to show signs of wear. The best way to protect them, of course, is to choose high-quality floors in the first place. Stone and hardwood are obviously the most durable in the market, but there are other materials that deliver quality for a good price. Some of the most popular alternatives are ceramic tile, laminate, and vinyl flooring. With regular cleaning and maintenance, these floors can last just as long as their more expensive counterparts.

Next, make sure to keep things organized. Clutter does more than just visually upset the room; it also limits foot traffic to a certain area, which in turn gets additional wear and tear. Plan out your storage so that there’s a place for every item you have. This is especially useful when you have kids, as they tend to leave their toys lying around all the time. Invest in good cabinets and shelves where you can keep everything you need within easy reach.

Finally, make it a habit to clean as you go. When you cook in the kitchen, start cleaning during your “downtime”—those few minutes when you’re just waiting for the dish to simmer. Or you can fill the sink with soap and water and dump dishes in as you go along. That way, you won’t be left with a pile of dishes after dinner—and you’ll get more space to work since there are no dirty plates around the counter.