Keeping your hardwood floors clean doesn’t just make them look stellar. It also protects them from discoloration and damage caused by dirt and mud buildup. We know what you’re thinking—how much damage can a bit of dirt and mud cause? That’s a great question, and we intend to answer it in this brief guide.
Where Do Dirt and Mud Come From?
Before diving deeper into how mud and dirt can damage hardwood floors, it’s best to discuss where these contaminants come from. For some, the origins are simple. You, your pets, and loved ones bring dirt into the home on your shoes, clothing, or fur. But for others, mud and dirt can hide in the most inconspicuous places.
For instance, a significant amount of the dirt accumulates on windows and door seals. Moreover, dirt and mud particles often become airborne, causing them to scatter around your home and right under your nose.
Leftover food bits can cause dirt to collect on the kitchen floor. When you add moisture to the equation, the problem only worsens. Regardless of how it gets there, dirt and mud are two substances that can severely damage your hardwood floors when left to fester.
How Does It Damage My Floors?
A few tiny parcels of dirt and mud may not seem like a huge deal. But when they’re left alone to accumulate, the effects can be devastating. Dirt and mud can make your hardwood floors experience discoloration. Heavy foot traffic through the various areas of your home breaks down the dirt or mud. This turns mud and dirt into grime, which sticks to the floor.
Over time, this grime will work its way into minuscule cracks and even the wood grain of your flooring. This is what leads to severe discoloration. Once this kind of damage sets in, it’s nearly impossible to remove it without sanding or refinishing treatments.
Dirt and mud can also plague your flooring with abrasions and scratches. Aside from being plain unsightly, these seemingly minor damages can also expose your wood floors to water. And when left unaddressed, this influx of moisture can result in swelling and even cracking.
How Can I Prevent This Kind of Damage?
The good news is that regardless of how mud and dirt can damage your hardwood floors, there is always a way to prevent it. The best way to do this is to mitigate the amount of dirt and mud that enters your home.
Thus, keeping your shoes outside or right by the front door can be helpful. You might also clean your floors regularly and vacuum carpeted areas around each entrance. Doing these things will help prevent an influx of dirt and mud from collecting in your home and damaging your floors.
That said, no matter how many precautions you take, you’re bound to track dirt and mud into your home at some point. That’s why it’s wise to have professional floor cleaning performed regularly. And if you’re looking for the best hardwood floor or carpet cleaning in Murietta, you can always give Clean Investment a call. We’ll ensure your floors are clean and adequately protected.
