Snow makes for a beautiful sight but can lead to trouble, especially when it’s tracked in on your hardwood floors. Wood and water don’t mix. Neither does the salt used to melt snow and ice.
Too much snow on the floor can lead to your hardwoods or laminate floors warping and, sometimes, causing mold or discoloration. And salt can cause unsightly white marks that are hard to remove.
Fortunately, a few simple solutions can help you keep the excess snow off your delicate wood flooring.
Utilize a Heavy Duty Outdoor Mat
A heavy-duty outdoor mat that family members and guests can scrape their feet against to dislodge snow and salt is the first step to keeping your floors safe.
Opt for a mixed material mat made of rubber with artificial grass or another type of raised texture to help wipe snow off of feet.
Place a Plastic Shoe Rack or Tray Next to the Door
If you have a mudroom, an entrance with tile, or another waterproof flooring option, take your shoes off there. If walking straight into your hardwoods is your only option, lay out a floor runner area rug and a plastic shoe rack or tray to set your shoes.
Immediately remove your shoes and place them on the plastic shoe tray so that water doesn’t have a chance to make it to the floor.
Skip Indoor Waterproof Rugs
While placing a waterproof mat inside your front entrance might sound like a good idea, it’s a huge mistake. When moisture gets tracked in and seeps under the mat, it won’t be able to evaporate. Instead, the mat will trap it, leading to the moisture issues you’re trying to avoid.
Instead, use area rugs in the entrance and do your best to rid your shoes of snow before you walk into the door.
Consider a Tile Entrance
Tile-to-hardwood transitions in the entrance not only look good but serve a practical purpose—they can handle the moisture that your hardwoods can’t.
Since you only need to tile a small portion of the floor, you can splurge, selecting high-quality tile that will suit the look of your home. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are two of the best options for snowy climates since they won’t be harmed by a little bit of moisture or salt. (Skip more delicate types like marble.)
Keep a Broom and Dustpan Handy
A few minutes of sweeping up tracked-in snow and salt can keep your hardwoods pristine. We recommend keeping a small broom and dustpan by the entrance, as well as a few towels in case you need to soak up melted snow.
You should also vacuum your hardwoods regularly during winter to remove any salt or winter debris you missed with the broom. If you notice white salt marks (calcium chloride marks) on your hardwoods, neutralize and remove them by sweeping and then wiping the affected area with a water and vinegar mixture. You can make this by adding ⅓ cup of white distilled vinegar to a gallon of water.
