Tis the season to protect your flooring. While Christmas is a very merry time, scratched and damaged floors are no way to ring in the season. Thankfully, our flooring experts know which precautionary measures can be taken so your tree can stand worry-free. Whether your Christmas tree is a live pine, fir, cypress, spruce, cedar, or an artificial tree, we’ve got the preventative solutions to protect your floors this holiday season.
Invest in Quality Flooring
First things first, choosing the right flooring can minimize the risk of damages. Flooring types such as engineered hardwood and vinyl are waterproof, with laminate flooring being water-resistant. Furthermore, all three of these flooring types are scratch resistant and durable, lowering your risk of Christmas tree damage. With that said, it’s always best to take precautions when possible. Here are 5 ways you can keep your investment safe this holiday season:
1. Don’t Slide the Tree
Real or fake, Christmas trees are heavy and can cause serious damage to your flooring. Unless there is some type of soft barrier between the trunk and the floor, do not slide your tree stand. Even with a soft barrier, you risk sliding unseen debris across the floor which can cause scratches and dings. For any adjustments in placement, lift the tree to move it – best to gather a few recruits to help you.
2. Avoid Water Damage
Real Christmas trees are great –that natural forest scent and illustrious shine simply cannot be beat. However, they’re incredibly thirsty plants that require regular watering, or they risk drying to the point of being a fire hazard. To keep your Christmas tree green and hydrated, water it regularly but beware of overwatering. This could cause spillage resulting in warped, discoloured, and peeling flooring.
3. Use a Tree-Safe Barrier
To prevent damage, place a barrier between the tree stand and the flooring. Whether you use a soft mat or waterproof drain tray, this can keep your floor safe this holiday season. Now, we know what you’re thinking: a tree on a tray is not the Christmas aesthetic you’re going for. If that’s the case, a simple tree skirt is all you need to hide this protective barrier.
Warning: avoid using a towel or another type of absorbent material such an area rug. These might soak up spilled water and could cause damage to your floors if in direct contact for too long. Instead, opt for a Christmas tree stand mat or plastic tray.
4. Felt Pads
Like the protective barrier, felt pads can be placed under the legs of the Christmas tree stand. While this won’t work on all stands, if yours is compatible with felt pads, they can help you avoid denting and scratching.
5. Clean Fallen Pine Needles
Dropped needles are a given if you’re bringing a real Christmas tree into your home. Not only can these be hazardous to your pets and young children, but they can also wreak havoc on your floors. Over the holidays, do your best to vacuum up these pine needles on a regular basis. Vacuuming is preferred over sweeping, as brooms can swish the sharp needles across your floors, causing incidental damage. If you need to clean the floors, we recommend using a microfibre cloth and a gentle, designated floor cleaner.
The Bottom Line
Your flooring needs will vary depending on your lifestyle. To ensure you have the right flooring for your household, our experts at King of Floors are here to help. When you visit our showroom, you’ll be able to view the largest selection of in stock vinyl, laminate, and engineered hardwood in the country. No matter the outcome, we promise we won’t send you home with flooring you’re not ecstatic about. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority, so drop by the King of Floors today to chat with a team that cares about your well-being.