Dogs are able to scratch laminate floors. Because of how they are made and how robust they are, laminate flooring products can withstand scratches from even the largest dogs. However, scratches do occasionally occur, so if and when they do, you should use a laminate floor repair kit.
How to erase dog tracks from your laminate floors
The solution to this issue is something one of our Swiss Krono customer support specialists is all too familiar with! There are paw prints all over the place since she has two house dogs who like to play tag whenever the mood strikes them. What she says is as follows:
“I frequently use a microfiber dust mop to clean, soaking it in a spray bottle with warm water and vinegar. Additionally, the vinegar eliminates dog odors so I don’t have to worry about it, especially when they get wet from their regular walks. My laminate flooring was put in in 2006, and it still looks fantastic.
You should frequently mop your laminate floor with a microfiber cloth and hot water in a spray or mister bottle if it is really glossy. If you have a dog, high-gloss laminate flooring will frequently reveal dog prints.
How to remove muddy dog paw (and people) prints
See the advice above and quickly wipe up any moist mud. Think about placing doormats by your doorways to prevent muck from being tracked inside.
Sweeping or vacuuming will work for dry mud. Simply check to see if your vacuum has a beater brush. Oh, and disregard wet jets and floor steam cleaners. They contaminate the mixture with moisture and harm your floor!
How to protect your floor from other dog messes
Any floating-floor system that has surface dampness is a bad idea since it can leak into the seams of the laminate planks if it isn’t rapidly cleaned up. Here are a few options to think about:
- Underneath your dog’s water bowl, place a tray with an absorbent mat to catch any water drips and dribbles.
- Encourage your dog to cool off on a pad rather than the laminate floor if they are perspiring (possibly easier said than done).
- Any laminate planks that might be exposed to moisture should have a continuous bead of PVA Type II glue applied to the edges. Any liquids will be prevented from slipping between the planks by glue.
If you’re replacing carpet in your home with laminate flooring and you have a dog, think about taking a few extra precautions to ease the transition for your pet:
1. Remove a section of carpet where your dog may have distributed topical moisture and store it. Look for any stains or moisture on the carpet and pad. Place this carpet piece into a sizable plastic container, trimming the sides to the carpet’s height. This will produce a scent-baited comfort station because all animals are attracted to scents. Place this smell comfort station close to an exit door or on a vinyl floor.
2. Prepare the subfloor where your dog previously had an accident so that your new laminate floor won’t result in a repeat of the incident.
- Concrete subfloors should be cleaned with hot water and little bleach. (Recommended serving sizes are on the bleach container.)
- Use a product that contains neutralizing enzymes to clean wood subfloors. In the event that the wood subfloor is damaged, be prepared to repair it.
3. To combat odors and stains, prep the entire subfloor with Kilz or Zinsser. Before installing a floating floor system, let the subfloor thoroughly dry out.
How to deal with a film on your laminate floor
A movie can be aggravating, even though it has nothing to do with having a dog in the house. Make sure the space is sufficiently aired and use 100% pure acetone to “defilm your laminate floor.”
How can I keep my dog from ruining my laminate floors?
Finding the best flooring for dogs is one of the most crucial decisions in home maintenance, whether you’re renting or buying.
Well done if you’ve just moved in or recently adopted a puppy and are starting from scratch. But you can always protect your flooring now.
My bathroom has tile floors and wood floors. Others might have laminated flooring, concrete, wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs. Depending on the sort of flooring you have, you can require a lot or very little protection.
Different types of floors and their protection needs:
- Large area rugs or carpet Because odors and stains can penetrate all the way to the padding, carpet and rugs might be the hardest floor surfaces to clean. Some carpets do already have a sealer applied to them that aids in stain resistance.
- Wood
- Whether a wood floor is finished or raw has a significant impact. An untreated floor is more likely to collect stains; a finished floor may partially repel them.
- LaminateThese flooring’ coatings will come off in the presence of liquids like urine, and moisture can cause laminate to buckle. It will be simplest to entirely cover a laminate floor, even if it’s with carpet, if you have a puppy or an older dog.
- TileIf you have any control over the flooring that is installed in your home, tile floors can be one of the greatest options for dog owners (I occasionally sit in my bathroom and stare at mine). However, if you don’t seal the grout, any liquid messes will seep inside of it.
- A multimillion dollar apartment in Manhattan owned by hipster thirtysomethings who believe they are being environmentally friendly is most likely to have a concrete floor. Having said that, colored concrete floors are very cool, especially when a thick sealer is applied on top. This sealer ought to almost eliminate spills on this kind of floor.
Think: What is the best flooring for your dog, specifically?
In light of this, you probably are aware of the type of floor you are using. Additionally, you are aware of the messes that your pet makes. Regardless of how well-trained a pet is, accidents can happen to them. A pet could become unwell, scared, or jealous (yes, they can feel jealous) among other things. Or you could take that adorable puppy from the rescue window home. Your pet might also unexpectedly get elderly.
Hudson is old, therefore he causes the majority of the mess in my house. Older dogs have an amazing ability to both hear well when it’s time for meal and to not hear when you chastise them. I’m fairly certain Hudson decided a few years ago that he no longer needed to follow my instructions because of his age and that it’s simpler to use the restroom indoors, especially when it’s hot outside. Additionally, Hudson vomits frequently during the day and night. When I wake up at two in the morning to use the restroom, he occasionally chews it back up (yuck, gross!). Other times, I step into it.
Urine, excrement, mud, water, and other naturally occurring materials, ice melters, oil, and other chemical substances, as well as vomit, are the most typical messes your dog may make for you.
What to use to clean dog messes on your floors
Naturally, cleaning up the mess is important (unless Hudson vomited). Be cautious to inspect underneath the protection if you see a mess because even highly effective floor protection solutions can allow things to leak through.
Depending on your floor type, it’s more cost-effective and simply simpler to use just one or two cleaners for any form of mess. Around the area, scatter a few spray bottles with the cleanser (up high, of course). Nature Miracle’s Pet Mess Easy Clean Up, a product that can be used on any type of flooring and has sawdust that absorbs liquid, is one that expedites the cleanup of liquid messes. Actually, I use Nature’s Miracle, which I believe to be the greatest brand for cleaning any kind of floor.
Cleaners by floor type
- Area/Carpet Rugs It can be necessary to shampoo and vacuum because you want a product that will thoroughly clean. Examples include Bissell Carpet Shampoo or Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Pet Stain Remover (none of which require vacuuming).
- Wood
- You will have a difficult time removing stains and, especially, odors, if your wood is unfinished. I’ve found that a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water works the best. It eliminates odors while cleaning. Vinegar can eat away at the polish on finished wood. Cleaners using enzymes are typically safer.
- Laminate
- Because of its high sensitivity, this kind of floor shouldn’t be criticized in front of others. Although you can use practically any cleanser, it is sensitive to urine and other acidic pollutants. The best course of action is to set up any mishap right away.
- A non-acidic, PH-balanced cleaning like Ceramiclean Tile Cleaner is favored by TileTile. Cleaning a huge area effectively with steam.
- Steam or a multipurpose cleanser like Pine Sol can also be used to clean concrete. Baking soda or a light dish detergent are other options.
Okay. The flooring is spotless. Fido has performed every bodily function imaginable, and you have washed his paws and any other areas that required cleaning. Let’s get right to the meat of this article: how to safeguard your floors!
If I had unlimited funds, I would install tile floors in my residence. However, I could certainly afford that gorgeous concrete-floored apartment in New York City. The following solutions are either permanent, which requires more work up front and costs more money but is less noticeable in the end, or temporary, which is generally affordable and easy to implement but may crunch beneath your boots.
The best flooring for dogshow to protect every kind of flooring
Large area rugs or carpet:
- Temporary Your carpet will be protected by a thick, possibly ugly plastic covering that sticks, such as one of Plasticover’s products. Compared to white plastic, clear plastic might be a little less obvious.
- Permanent
- Use a moisture-proof pad, such as Spillguard Carpet Pad, under your carpet if you installed it yourself or are capable of ripping it out and replacing it. Messes and odors will be absorbed by this.
Use a spray that produces a barrier, such as Scotchguard, on your carpet in addition. Although it is frequently stated that this is only necessary once, you will probably need to apply it about once a month.
Timber floors:
- Temporary For covering a sizable area, vinyl tablecloths with a flannel backing work nicely because they are non-slip. Try placing newspapers or paper towels on top for absorption. The idea is that you can quickly remove them as needed and replace them.
- PermanentBona Mega, a water-based coating, will establish a barrier to fend off spills. However, it is still preferable to clean up spills right away or use one of the covering solutions, like a vinyl tablecloth.
linoleum floors:
A laminate floor needs to be covered with a replaceable covering because it cannot be permanently protected. Laminate flooring’s polyurethane coating provides minimal assistance and cannot be covered with any form of coating or sealer.
Tiled surfaces:
If they are installed properly, tile flooring are simple to maintain. You can use a sealer to put up a barrier between messes and the tile. Keep an eye out for DuPont Stone and Tile Sealer (you want to seal the tile as well as the grout).
Concrete surfaces:
- Temporary Both options for tile floors will be effective, but…
- Permanent
- Your best option is a long-term fix, like sealing the concrete.
The key to finding the best flooring for dogs? Be proactive
There are several generic remedies available as well to safeguard your floors. When you’re gone, crate-training your dog or sectioning off floors both work well. Additionally, you can dress your dog in socks like Power Paws Dog Socks while you are inside and booties when you go outside. As long as your dog is trained to utilize them, poop bags will function on any kind of surface. Rubber-backed area rugs can offer a modicum of protection, but they must be routinely washed or replaced.
Whether you rent or own a home, it’s simple to keep your floor safe from your pets. Therefore, heed my advice and begin preserving your flooring as soon as you move in, and be vigilant about clearing up messes promptly. Don’t put it off like I did. You’ll be more content in your house and have a better chance of getting your money back.
What do you believe to be the finest flooring for dogs, please? Which flooring do you employ?
Do canines damage vinyl flooring?
Finding a flooring option that you and your dog will both enjoy is important because installing new flooring is an investment. Even with boisterous pets, the correct dog flooring can last for far over a decade. Continue reading for answers to some frequently asked questions regarding selecting and caring for new flooring.
Q: Which is better for dogs: laminate or hardwood?
For many dog owners, laminate flooring is a superior alternative because it is typically less expensive, more manageable, and less prone to damage than hardwood flooring.
Q: How do I clean flooring for dogs?
Depending on the flooring type and kind of mess. Make sure to adhere to the cleaning instructions provided by the flooring installer or manufacturer. A broom, vacuum, or mop may handle minor messes for regular cleaning. To avoid stains or odors, pet mishaps could require extra care.
Q: What types of flooring for dogs last the longest?
Long-lasting flooring materials like tile and concrete can withstand the messes that dogs can make. Vinyl is another great option, and some high-end goods come with lifetime warranties.
What type of flooring is the most resilient for dogs?
Tile is one of the most reliable, classic, and well-liked alternatives. Tile provides practically limitless alternatives because it is available in so many different styles, materials, and finishes. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are two of the most common and ideal types of flooring for pets since, in contrast to genuine stone tile, they are sealed and glazed for added protection.
We can assure you that once tile is set properly, it is quite difficult to harm or taint the tile itself. However, if you have pets, you might want to think about grout that is stain-resistant or that has additional sealing. Saving future cleaning and stains from your animal pets is worth the cost.
