How to Maintain Hardwood Floors With Pets in the House: 5 Essential Tips

Many of our clients tend to think that hardwood floors and pets are a bad match, and that hardwood flooring is not an option for them if they have cats or dogs in the house. The good news is that this is not the case; hardwood floors and pets can be a good match, if the homeowner takes the necessary steps and precautions to prevent damage to the hardwood. 

1. Choose the right type of hardwood 

First and foremost, we advise our clients to carefully choose the type of hardwood when they have pets at home. Some woods are harder than others, and can withstand heavy traffic and heavy furniture, while others are softer and prone to scratches, dents, and even warping and buckling. Choosing the right hardwood species is the most important step when you have pets in the home, and even children. We recommend going for a hardwood that is high on the Janka scale, meaning a harder wood that is durable and strong. Hard Maple, White Oak, and Brazilian Walnut are some of the toughest options available, and they provide stability and durability and can withstand heavy traffic and intense usage. 

2. Pick the right color

Choosing the right color for hardwood floors when there are pets in the house can make a huge difference. A lighter color will do a better job at hiding any scratches caused by furry friends, but even a medium color will work better than a dark one. Dark hardwood will show and highlight every small scratch or dent, and any pet hair or dander will stand out more than you’d like it to. A lighter color and a quality finish will mask any slight imperfections or light damage caused by pets, and will also create the illusion of space and light, so it’s a win-win situation. 

3. Place rugs and carpets strategically 

A great way to maintain hardwood floors in top shape without always fearing that pets will damage the wood is to place rugs and carpets strategically around the home, especially in high traffic areas like hallways or entryways. While hardwood is beautiful to look at and one should definitely try to show it off, protecting it with stylish rugs can make a huge difference and ease the stress of potential damage caused by pets. This way, you don’t have to stress out everytime your pet gets those hilarious ‘zoomies’ and runs all over the house at high speed. Place these rugs in strategic places, or in the areas where your pets love to spend most of their time, and they will also capture most of the pet hair and dander, making it easy to clean up. 

4. Don’t forget about pet grooming and maintenance 

This is probably one of the most important aspects to consider when installing hardwood floors in a household with pets. It’s crucial to pay close attention to a pet’s ‘manicure,’ meaning their nails should always be trimmed to prevent scratching, and their paws should be cleaned when coming in from outside to prevent bringing in dust, dirt, or debris that could damage the hardwood. Keep your pet’s nails or claws trimmed and their paws clean, and also brush them regularly to prevent pet hair and dander gathering on the floor. This could not only cause surface scratches on the hardwood, it can also cause allergies or respiratory problems for the people in the household down the line. 

5. Use the right cleaning products 

Last but not least, proper maintenance and cleaning of hardwood floors is crucial. When there are pets in the house, cleaning should be done every week or even more often than that, depending on the number of pets, how much hair they shed, how much foot traffic there is, and so on. It’s important to only use cleaning products specifically designed for hardwood floors, and not use household items. While you might think these are safer for pets, they can severely damage the hardwood planks, so they should be avoided at all costs. There are now plenty of pet-friendly and environmentally-friendly cleaning products on the market, which will keep the hardwood protected and your pets healthy. 

For more information on hardwood flooring and pets, or inquiries regarding the right cleaning and maintenance products for hardwood floors, contact First Atlanta Flooring and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!