How To Prevent Scratches On Hardwood Flooring: Tips & Tricks

Hardwood makes for an excellent flooring material, offering timeless beauty, warmth, and curb appeal. Unfortunately, even the most durable kinds of hardwood flooring are susceptible to a particular type of everyday wear and tear: scratches. Daily foot traffic, pets, furniture, and even small pieces of debris can leave blemishes on hardwood flooring and dull its finish over time. Straight Edge Tile & Flooring is your trusted source for flooring installations, refinishing, and remodeling in Gainesville, FL! Below, our trusted flooring contractors outline five ways to prevent scratches on hardwood flooring and how to remove blemishes when they occur.

Whether you’re considering new hardwood flooring or need current flooring refinished, we’re here to help. Contact our Gainesville flooring company today to request a free estimate on any of our flooring services!

Common Causes Of Hardwood Floor Scratches

Hardwood flooring is renowned for its durability and can last for decades with proper care. However, despite this durability, wood flooring’s inherent softness makes it susceptible to scuffs and scratches. Some of the most common causes of hardwood flooring scratches include the following:

• Dragging chairs, tables, and other furniture
• Untrimmed pet claws
• Heavy foot traffic
• Dirt, sand, and other rough debris
• Dropping heavy or sharp objects
• Using harsh or abrasive cleaning products

 

Knowing what poses the most risk to your hardwood flooring can help you avoid scratches and keep your floors looking brand new. Is your hardwood already damaged? We offer professional hardwood floor refinishing services designed to restore the surface of an existing wooden floor to its original condition!

5 Ways To Prevent Scratches On Hardwood Floors

• Avoid Dragging Heavy Furniture

Sliding or dragging furniture — even if it’s just a few inches — has the potential to leave deep scratches or scuffs across the surface of hardwood floors. To protect your flooring from this kind of damage, you should always be sure to fully lift furniture off the ground before moving it. For extra protection, you can add felt pads or rubber protectors to the legs of your chairs, tables, and sofas. Just be sure to check felt pads every few months to see if they need to be replaced. Also, if you’re moving in or out of a home with hardwood floors, furniture sliders are an excellent tool for both protecting hardwood floors and transporting heavy furniture.

• Clean Your Home Regularly

Keeping your hardwood floors free of dirt, sand, and other abrasive debris is one of the most effective ways to prevent scratches. Grit dragged on from outside can accumulate around your home and end up grinding into your flooring as you walk, especially in busy areas of the house. Here are a few cleaning tips for keeping your hardwood floors fresh and blemish-free.

• Sweep or vacuum at least twice a week
• Use a microfiber mop to grab dirt and grit
• Stick to hardwood-safe cleaners
• Place mats at entryways around the home

 

• Trim Your Pet’s Claws

As we mentioned earlier, untrimmed pet nails are one of the most common causes of hardwood floor scratches. Whether you’ve got a dog, a cat, or a couple of each, regular nail trimming and filing will make a massive difference when it comes to protecting your flooring’s surface. Ideally, you should trim your pets’ nails every four to six weeks to prevent them from scratching your floor. A little bit of pet grooming can go a long way!

• Use Rugs In High-Traffic Areas

Rugs and runners don’t just add warmth; they also protect your floors! Rugs act as a buffer between your floors and everyday foot traffic, protecting them from shoes, pets, and daily wear and tear. Strategically placing rugs and runners in high-traffic areas throughout your home can significantly reduce scratches. Some of the best places to lay rugs or runners around your home include entryways, living rooms, hallways, under dining tables, and near patio doors.

• Take Off Your Shoes

Finally, one of the simplest ways to prevent hardwood floors is by adopting a “no shoes in the house” rule. While footwear such as boots and high heels are the most notable offenders, all shoes have the potential to leave scratches on hardwood floors, so it’s best just to adopt a general no-shoes policy. Setting up a shoe rack near your home’s entrance will make remembering to remove them easy and storing them hassle-free.

How To Get Scratches Out Of Hardwood Floors

Even with a regular cleaning routine and vigilance, scratches are bound to happen eventually. Fortunately, many blemishes can be fixed without refinishing your entire floor. For example, minor surface scratches can be repaired quickly using a hardwood touch-up pen or a blending pencil that matches your stain. However, for deep or widespread damage, a professional recoat or full refinish is often the most effective long-term solution. Our experienced flooring contractors can assess the condition of your hardwood and recommend the appropriate repairs, whether that’s a quick fix or a complete refinish.

Request A Free Quote Today!

With proper care and occasional refinishing, hardwood floors can provide your home with timeless beauty and warmth for decades to come. Whether you’re looking to install new hardwood flooring or need the appearance of your existing hardwood restored, you can count on the trusted team at Straight Edge Tile & Flooring! Contact our local flooring company to request a free estimate on any of our services!