
Winter can be a hard season for your floors. Snow and ice, dirt, sand, salt and ice-melting chemicals can cause big problems on flooring. Abrasive damage from salt and sand are like a sandpaper on your floor. Liquid damage from melting snow can warp flooring or leave stains. Ice-melting chemicals cause even worse damage.
While you can't completely stop winter from entering your home, there are some key things you can do to limit seasonal damage to your floors.
Doormats - both inside and out
Get a sturdy mat and place it outside your door. That mat will be the first line of defense in keeping melting snow, ice and sand outside your home. Place a second mat inside to stop those wet boots in their tracks. Stay away from small area rugs and look instead for a rubber-backed door mat. It's more durable and will keep moisture off the floor beneath the mat. While you're at it, add a boot tray just inside the door as reminder for people to take off their shoes and boots.