Did you know how easy it is to ruin your floors?
Changing the floors is one of the greatest upgrades you can do in your home. It will make it look better, and it will increase its curb appeal at the same time. If you’ve recently had new flooring installed, the last thing you want is for them to wear out before their time. Whether you have tile, hardwood, or carpet, some of your habits and common mistakes can ruin your floors without even noticing. From ignoring spills to dragging heavy furniture pieces, it’s easy to overlook these missteps and end up with worn-out flooring.
But don’t worry, because we’ve come to the rescue! Knowing what to avoid is the first step to keeping your flooring looking great and fresh for years to come. If you want to learn more about this, we’ll quickly walk you through some of the most common mistakes people make. We’ll also give you simple tips on how to properly take care of your flooring. You’d be surprised at how a little extra care goes a long way!
So, whether you’re a new homeowner or you’ve just done an upgrade, stick with us to learn what the things are that ruin your floors way ahead of time—and how to keep them in perfect shape. Let’s begin:
1. Avoiding furniture pads
If you don’t want to ruin your floors in a snap, you’d better add those high-quality furniture pads to your cart, because no matter how tough your flooring material looks or how good its warranty is, when your floors are lived on, it will show.
This is usually more noticeable in busy homes with youngsters or pets. You can keep this under control by using floor protectors on the legs of your chairs and tables. This way, you protect your beautiful flooring from scratches and extra wear, which will save you money on repairs or replacement.
2. Using homemade cleaning products
There are plenty of DIY cleaning products you can whip up in just a few minutes, but they’re not always the best choice. For instance, you’ve probably heard about cleaning with apple cider vinegar. While it’s true that it can make your bathroom sparkle, unclog a bathroom drain, or remove grease from a baking pan, it can also ruin your floors.
Vinegar is acidic—that’s why it’s so powerful in the first place—so it’s strong enough to remove the protective coating of most hardwood, vinyl, or laminate floors. If you don’t want your floors to look dull and prone to staining, it’s best to use a special cleaning product.
Even diluting vinegar with water won’t make a difference. However, there’s no 100% certainty that it will ruin your floors, but there’s a big probability. To keep your flooring intact and shiny for as long as possible, use products recommended by the manufacturer or stick to a slightly damp mop for better results.
…Have you ever cleaned your floors with vinegar? Did you notice any damage? Let us know in the comments below!
3. Steam mopping
Steam mops are usually marketed as wonder cleaning supplies, and while they can do a great job, many users underestimate the side effects. It’s just some water and heat; what bad thing can it do? Well, good question. These two key elements aren’t exactly friendly to certain types of floors. If it’s not used properly, even water-resistant floors can get damaged by steam mops.
Normally, steam would transform into condensation when it lands on a cold surface like your floor. But things are different here: the steam from the mop comes out under pressure, allowing tiny droplets to penetrate seams and layers in a way that a regular household spill can’t. Depending on your floors, you can see immediate damage, such as bubbles around the edges of each plant. Unfortunately, this can’t be repaired or reversed, so you’ll have to replace everything.
…If you want to use a steam mop, it’s best to keep it away from wood, LVP flooring, and laminate.
4. Using bleach-based cleaners
Another harmful ingredient that can ruin your floors is bleach. This powerful cleaning solution works amazingly on different surfaces, but not on your floors. It’s a highly alkaline solution, which makes it corrosive to many materials. Just like vinegar, using it on laminate, hardwood, or vinyl floors can attack the protective top layer and weaken the flooring material itself.
Whether you want to disinfect or clean your floors, using specialized products and not bleach is always a smart choice. They’re just as effective, and they won’t remove the protective barrier of your floors.
5. Wearing shoes indoors
Did you know that wearing shoes indoors can ruin your floors? Even though this habit might seem harmless, your beautiful shoes, particularly those with hard heels or soles, can bring in debris, gravel, and dirt. Whether you have tile, hardwood, or laminate floors, the debris can scratch and scuff the surface.
If you enjoy wearing heels, it’s best not to wear them indoors because they can cause dents on your beautiful wooden floors. Moreover, the travel caught in the shoe can scratch and dull the finish. Doing so once or twice isn’t a big deal, but if it turns into a habit, you might ruin your floors. Protect your space and finances by tweaking socks or soft slippers inside.
Don’t forget to get mats and place them in entryways, so you can get rid of dirt and grime on your shoes before coming inside. Your floors will thank you for the extra TLC, and they’ll look amazing for many years to come.
6. Ignoring moisture and spills
Another quick way to ruin your floors is by ignoring spills or letting moisture sit too long. Whether you spilled a drink, left a wet umbrella, forgot to open a window, or forgot to turn on the fan after a hot shower, excess moisture is your floor’s worst enemy.
Wood floors, for instance, can easily absorb moisture, which will cause them to swell, warp, or even develop mold underneath. Tile floors might seem immune, but they’re not. Moisture can quickly seep into grout and weaken it over time.
To avoid paying a ton of money on repairs or replacements, make sure you immediately clean up any spill. Other than that, use mats or rugs in high-traffic wet areas, so water has no chance of causing damage. Don’t forget to check underneath them every now and then, because even the tiniest spill can lead to potential issues in the long run. If you’re looking for lovely and budget-friendly rugs, check out this gorgeous one.
7. Dragging heavy furniture
You probably know that dragging heavy furniture can easily ruin your floor, but let’s take a moment to discuss it. Large items like couches, tables, or refrigerators can immediately gouge, dent, or scratch your floors if they’re not properly manipulated. Even if it seems like the damage is minimal, repetitive dragging can result in severe long-term wear and tear.
To avoid this, make sure you always lift the furniture when moving it, and don’t forget about the protective sliders we’ve talked about at the beginning of this article. Speaking of furniture pads, experts recommend them because they’re a great way to uniformly distribute weight and keep legs from sinking into floors. Take care of your belongings, and you’ll enjoy them for many years to come!
Do you know any other things that could ruin your floors? Let us know in the comments below! If you find this article helpful and would like to check out something else from The Home Team, here’s a good post for you: 5 Filters You Always Forget to Change, but Shouldn’t
