Protecting Painted Floors

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated November 5, 2021)

Wood floors can be a wonderful addition to most any home, but many times they don't really weather the heavy traffic that comes with a family home all that well. To help protect floors from this kind of wear and tear, homeowners often turn to painting the floors. However, while the floors may be protected for a while, the paint itself can suffer some damage. Protecting painted floors isn't all that difficult, particularly if you use one of these methods.

  • Regular cleaning. Perhaps one of the best ways to go about protecting painted floors is by cleaning them regularly. However, when you do clean them you will want to use a rather "specialized" cleaning agent that is made from one cup of vinegar and gallon of warm water. Use this solution to mop the floor only after you have used a dust mop to remove as much of the dirt and grime as possible.
  • Don't be afraid to touch things up. It is a sad truth that the paint on your flooring will eventually wear or flake away. When this happens break out a small amount of paint which matches what you are touching up, and a paint brush. Apply the paint to the worn away area (after you have thoroughly cleaned it) and allow the paint to dry. This will help prolong the life of your painted floor.
  • Place padding. If you have a painted wood floor in a room that has heavy furniture or appliances, make sure that you have a little bit of padding under the legs. This will help prevent any scrapes and scratches from damaging the paint, while also protecting the wood itself from getting gouged.
  • Use soft bristles. In the event that you use a broom, make sure that you find one that has the softest possible bristles. The softer the bristles then the more gentle it will be on the wood and paint. Basically the soft bristles will be less likely to scratch or damage the wood and paint.

In the event that your floor becomes too damaged over time, you may need to refinish it. Do not be afraid of this step since it can actually help prolong the life of your flooring. However, keep in mind that while this task may be necessary periodically, it should only be undertaken once or every three or four years. That being said, in the event that you feel your floor really needs the help, go ahead and do it.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Pinching Peppers

There are a few little tricks that anyone interested in growing their own peppers at home can use to make their pepper ...

Discover More

Designing a Rock Garden

If you are looking to create a low water landscape design, then you may want to consider using a rock garden. Designing a ...

Discover More

Building a Tree House

It can pretty much be taken as a given that every child would love to have a tree house at some point in their life. ...

Discover More

Find the Right Tool Right Away Finally, a homeowner's set that includes all the tools needed to complete basic DIY projects at an affordable price! The tools are stored in a molded case for security and portability. Check out Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner's Tool Kit today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Repainting Latex on Oil Paint

For the most part it is a good idea to remove any remnants of oil paint before you begin painting latex paint in the same ...

Discover More

How Do You Rag Paint a Wall?

If you are looking for a fantastic way to paint your wall, and create a truly unique look then you simply have to look ...

Discover More

Painting Old Drywall

After a while, everyone will find themselves needing to do a bit of painting in their home. Depending on how old your ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 5 - 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)