The holidays are right around the corner and preparations for the festivities will certainly be in order. TongueAndGroove.com provides terrific tips about how to keep your floors protected during the most wonderful time of year.

Make use of doormats.

Both grime and debris are capable of doing major damage to hardwood floors. If you placemats not only outside, but inside the entrances, too, you will lessen the dirt and gunk that gets brought into your residence and can scratch the floors.

Place area rugs and runners in busy areas.

Rugs and runners are true lifesavers for the areas in your home that get a lot of foot traffic. Those with natural backings such as felt are preferred choices, as rubber may discolor your wood floor’s outer surface.

Lose the shoes.

Don’t feel awkward about requesting visitors, along with everyone in the family, to take off their shoes as soon as they enter your home. Have a dark-colored rug, ample in size, available for everyone to set their shoes upon, and kindly ask that they do so.

Set down a tray.

Simply place a tray outside the door for wet footwear. Hold a towel underneath to absorb water if you are going to bring it inside the house.

Prepare for your Christmas tree.

First, place down a rubberized Christmas tree stand mat or a plastic drain tray to collect potential spills. Then, cover it with a tree skirt. These two easy steps will keep your floor shielded, while still providing sufficient water for your Christmas tree.

Be diligent about cleaning your home.

Routine cleaning on a frequent basis will help to prevent debris from scratching your floors or finding a permanent home in your carpets.

Use felt pads.

Attaching felt pads to the feet of your furniture, notably dining room chairs, can block or drastically lessen the possibility of damage to your wood floors.

Trim your pets’ nails.

Pets often become more active and sometimes unruly when we are hosting gatherings. Be sure to keep your pets’ nails properly trimmed to safeguard the floors from becoming scratched.

Watch for spills.

Avoiding foods and drinks from ending up on the floor while entertaining is usually close to impossible, especially when children are present. Clean any spills right away as per the particular floor care instructions.

TongueandGroove.com consistently meets the flooring needs of our customers in terms of quality, professionalism, and cost-effectiveness. We are also proud to supply patrons with an impressive selection of other sought-after wood products. Our friendly and accommodating sales staff can be contacted by calling 1-800-689-9006!