The holiday season is typically a time of higher traffic throughout your home.  Having friends and family over will cause greater wear and tear on your flooring then it’ll normally receive during the rest of the year.  However, the good news is that you can protect yourself and your flooring with some preventative measures that aren’t too hard to implement.  In this article we’ll over a few tips on how to keep your flooring looking like new for the entire holiday season.

Sweep And Vacuum Beforehand

Giving your hardwood floors a good sweep and your carpets a thorough vacuuming will not only impress your guests, but it’ll reduce the wear and tear on your floor.  Dust, dirt and tiny pebbles can wreak havoc on wood floors and carpets. Removing as much as possible before any guests arrive will ensure they start off clean and will reduce the amount of dirt that accumulates throughout the holiday season.

Invest In Doormats And Area Rugs

Laying down doormats and area rugs in high traffic areas will reduce the amount of wear your floors receive.  Consider laying down rugs at the base of any stairwells, in front of your kitchen sink and at the entrance of the main entertaining room.  Placing doormats on both the inside and outside of your front and back doors will trap dirt and prompt your guests to wipe their feet.

Use A Shoe Rack Or Boot Tray

Placing a shoe rack or boot tray in your porch will encourage guests to take off their shoes when they arrive.  Not only will this prevent them from tracking dirt and mud into the house, it’ll contain any melting snow or moisture and inhibit its spread.  A shoe rack or boot tray is also a great way to keep your porch area neat and organized.

Protect Your Floor From Your Tree

Real holiday trees drop needles and require water to reduce the risk of a fire.  You should protect your floor from your tree by using a tree stand that acts as a water catcher and a tree skirt that will stop needles from spreading throughout your entire house.