A hardwood floor is one of the most long-lasting and resilient types of flooring.
It looks decent and adds elegance to any part of your house, especially the kitchen.
But due to the quality of wood getting ruptured and stained by moisture, people are afraid to install them in their kitchens.
If you are passionate about having a hardwood floor in your kitchen
The question that hinders you can be how to protect hardwood floors in kitchens?
This query can be answered by introducing techniques to save your beloved hardwood floor from any destruction.
The ways to protect hardwood floors are:
- Save your floor from water
- Apply a finish to the planks
- Coat a sealant
- Use waterproof floorcloths
- Utilize melamine liners
- Invest in good quality wood cleaners
Wood Floors In A Kitchen: Pros and Cons
Even though wood floors look like a million dollars. Yet, it has some advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
- An array of styles and design
- It can be maintained easily
- Increases the worth of your house
- Blends well with all types of decoration
- Hygienic
- Timeless investment
Cons:
- Refinishing required
- Noisy
- An expensive flooring solution
- Not humid-resistant
Related Reading: Is Solid Oak Flooring OK For Kitchens – Get The Answer Here.
Hardwood floors in kitchen vs tile
An option other than hardwood floor is tile flooring.
It has to be kept in mind that both types of flooring are prevalently reaching high statistics in customer purchasing graphs.
It cannot be denied that both are durable, but a lot of difference is evident in both types of bases.
| Hardwood Floor | Tiled Floors |
| Hardwood floors are not preferred in the areas that encounter water exposure | Tiled floors are suitable for all areas of the house |
| Not pet-friendly urine marks caused by pets are hard to get rid of | Can sustain pet’s claws and urine |
| Scratches easily | Don’t get scratch marks easily |
| Easier to install | Toughest to install |
| Best investment for the future in terms of selling the house | Low budget investment as compared to hardwood floor |
| Requires a lot of care | Subsides wear and tear procedures |
What Can Damage Hardwood Floors?
A couple of factors that can damage hardwood floors are:
- Humidity
- Water
- Sun fading
- High traffic
- Inappropriate furniture movement
- Pet scratches
- Stains by spilling
- Chemicals leading to finish peeling
- Debris
- Blemishes
All these factors can ruin your highly costed flooring, so you must take care of it daily.
How to protect hardwood floors in the Kitchen: Some Pro tips
Your expensive hardwood floor can be protected and maintained by following some helpful and convenient suggestions and techniques.
You must remember that precaution is better than cure.
We have taken these pieces of advice from the pros and experts that will help you a great deal.
Avoid water from your hardwood floor:
Hardwood floors can swell up or split up if it has an undetected water encounter.
If water is spilled regularly, it can also cause undermining damage to your wooden floor.
Moreover, water dripping from refrigerators or other such appliances can also become a factor for destruction.
You can minimize this issue by being extra cautious in this regard.
If water or any other fluid is spilled, quickly wipe it off and don’t let it stay on the wooden floor for a long time.
A polyurethane sealant can be used every four to five years to maintain your wood floor.
The right choice of hard floor for the kitchen:
The correct choice of hard floor variety can benefit you while maintaining your kitchen in the longer run.
It would be best to choose a hardwood variety like hickory or Brazilian wood, which is durable and proven to be the strongest.
These woods can sustain high traffic and furniture shifting effectively.
Apply good-quality finish to the planks:
You are advised not to install prefinished planks in your kitchen.
Unfinished planks are the best option for kitchens.
The entire surface can be sanded before the staining process, and then sealing can be done for better results.
A good application of Sealant:
A nice sealant application makes your wood floor resistant to hefty movement and staining caused by spilling liquids.
This application makes the hard floor water-resistant and thus makes it durable.
Best protection can be given by an oil-based sealant as it is proven to be more effective in kitchen mishap scenarios.
Use waterproof Rugs:
The areas prone to traffic can be protected by using waterproof mats and rugs.
The regions facing the sink, dishwasher, refrigerators, and stoves should be taken special care of.
You should select a padded rug with a thick base.
Melamine layer can be a day saver:
Masonite or melamine layer can be a fantastic way to save your hardwood floor.
You can simply place them under your kitchen appliances to ensure a scratchless kitchen for many years to come.
These layers are conducive to moving your appliances like the refrigerator or stove for cleaning purposes.
Invest in good quality wood cleaners:
Instead of using ammonia, bleach, or any low-quality cleaning agents, you should buy wood cleaners that can clean and protect your hardwood floor.
The chemicals can stain and discolor your wood.
The hardwood floor can be your companion for decades if you clean it properly.
Best ways to clean hardwood floors:
Here are some ways of cleaning hardwood floors practically:
- Vacuum daily
- Use a carbon-fiber brush to avoid scratches
- Use a crevice tool to clean the areas that are difficult to reach
- Don’t mop if you can see dry dirt on the floor
- Always vacuum before mopping
The following questions are commonly asked by wood floor owners.
The answers will surely enlighten your knowledge about how to protect hardwood floors from damage.
Is Murphy’s oil soap good for hardwood floors?
Murphy’s oil soap is made up of 98% natural materials.
It not only protects your hardwood floor but also helps in extending its life a great deal.
Can I use a steam mop on hardwood floors?
You should never use a steam mop on hardwood floors as it can moisten your wood, spoiling it.
A steam mop is getting famous, but it is suitable for vinyl or ceramic tiles but a big no if you intend to use it on wooden floors.
Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?
Steam cleaners use extreme heat to loosen up the dirt stuck to the messy area through their high-definition vapor system.
The dirt particles are then absorbed by the terry cloth bonnet or rinsed and wiped by a porous cloth.
Is steaming floors better than mopping?
Steaming floors is better than mopping because mops only clean the surface area of the floors.
While the steaming process not only cleans the debris but also kills bacteria and other germs.
How often should you wash hardwood floors?
The areas where there are many movements like the dining or kitchen should be vacuumed daily and mopped once or twice a week.
While washing hard floors, you must dry and wipe them as quickly as possible
Because if water will stay on them for even a small amount of time, it can cause hard stains and discolor your floor.
How to protect hardwood floors – FAQs
What is the best wood floor for the kitchen?
The best woods, according to experts, are Brazilian or hickory because of their sturdiness and heavy build.
They are also proven to be better water-resistant and durable.
What is the best finish for hardwood floors in the kitchen?
The acid-cured finish is the top-notch choice nowadays.
It is highly suitable as it dries instantly and holds its elegance for many years.
Can mold grow under hardwood floors?
Yes, it is a bitter truth that mold grows under hardwood floors.
The reason is that hardwoods are organic materials and their inner parts have moisture trapped in them.
The mold gets under floors with the aid of air transmission.
Best rugs for hardwood floors in the kitchen
Synthetic, cotton, natural fiber, and wool are the best rugs for hardwood floors in the kitchen.
All these types can absorb water well and thus do not allow it to reach the wood.
The best hard floor rugs available online are:
- nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Area Rug
- Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat – Cushioned 3/4 Inch Comfort Floor Mats for Kitchen
- Long Kitchen Mats vintage Rug Anti Fatigue Cushioned Comfort Floor Pads
- Anti Fatigue Comfort Mat by DAILY LIFE
- DEXI Kitchen Rugs and Mats Anti Fatigue Mat
Does Pine Sol damage hardwood floors?
Pine-Sol can make your hardwood floor spin and spank if you have a sealed and well-coated floor.
It is also secure to use on engineered wood floors but can cause damage if the floor is worn out, oiled, or waxed.
Related Reading: What Is Flooring Cost Of A Commercial Kitchen – Find Out Now!
The Bottom Line
We all strive for an elegant and stylish kitchen.
The hardwood floor completes the look of a modern and contemporary kitchen.
It adds to the value of your home.
The variety of hardwood gives you a lot of options to choose from according to the ambiance of your home.
Even though hardwood floors are the first choice of tasteful people, they have to be maintained.
They can be well-protected from wear and tear by following the simple techniques mentioned in this article.
In a nutshell, it can be juxtaposed by implementing these tips in your daily routine.
You will enjoy the beauty and pose of hardwood floors for a more extended period.
