Scratching the floors

Dave23 · #1 01-23-2002, 03:54 PM

We recently pulled up the OLD carpet in our living room and found that we have wood floors. We would love to keep them that way and have them re-finished, but every time the dogs come through they scratch the floor with their nails. Should we just give up on that and get carpet? One of ours chewed a whole in our old carpet, so what do I do?

VTbxrFan · #2 01-23-2002, 05:16 PM

Well, there will probably be some scratches, but i've always felt that it is just part of being a dog family. Keep their nails short and don't get a really glossy finish -- that will make the scratches more obvious.

trudy · #3 01-24-2002, 08:44 AM

Hey dave, it sounds as if you and i have a lot in common, new couches, hardwood floors, and boxer babies!! well i have all hard woods in my house, and they seem to withstand Trudy's nails pretty well

She doesn't do anything to them that cannot be buffed out.
Good Luck!! Go for the Hardwoods they are much easier to clean the hair off of (and the occasional accident)

MommyD. · #4 01-24-2002, 09:22 AM

We also have hardwood floors and it is has been great since our new puppy is working on housebreaking. He also finds them ammusing. Our hardwood is older and we've recently had it refinished, so it is shiny. When he scratches at it, which he does often, there has never been a scratch. I think he sees his reflection because he will sometimes bark at the floor and get excited. At this point I would much rather have the hardwood floor instead of carpet. Also be sure to get a Swiffer. Those things work miracles. We also have 2 cats and another dog and I swiffer about 2 times a day! It helps a lot! Good luck!!

McGehee1 · #5 01-24-2002, 10:02 AM

Ok...not to get off the subject here, but I was told by everyone how wonderful the swiffer was, but I don't get it. I'm trying to use it on tile floor and it seems the job is always bigger than the swiffer! Is it better on wood than tile and are the dry ones better than the wet (cuz I'm mostly using the wet).

On the floor subject, we have tile and Pergo (synthetic wood) in all of the house except the bedrooms (and an area rug in the family room). I wouldn't have it any other way. At least when the floors are filthy, you know you can take them back down to "ground zero" and start fresh. I couldn't imagine carpeting with the dogs! Just the piece of area rug in the family room makes me crazy because I just know how dirty it is! My husband is a carpet cleaner and a flooring guy, so I'm lucky!

My recommendation? Hard floors all the way!!

Dave23 · #6 01-24-2002, 12:26 PM

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the advice. I really don't want the carpet either. Dog smells just stick in that stuff.
Now, on the swiffer subject. They are great, I use them all the time for dog hair. The thing I have to do though is sweep with a regular broom for the plain old dirt. Swiffers won't pick it up dirt good, but the broom leaves alot of dust and dog hair, that is why the swiffer is so good. I do not use the wet ones, only the dry. The dry is what gets the hair so good.

trudy · #7 01-24-2002, 12:42 PM

As for the Swiffers, gotta have one...I use the wet one, and when it seems to be "running out" i flip it over..
It works!!

I use the dry ones for everday maintenance and the wet ones on "Cleaning day Sunday"

McGehee1 · #8 01-24-2002, 02:03 PM

Hmmnnn...sounds like I have to give the dry ones a better chance maybe...

MommyD. · #9 01-24-2002, 02:40 PM

Yes, I have to agree. We use the regular broom first and then the swiffer. I have only tried the dry. My friend had one of the wet ones. She said it just pushes the dog hair around. When we mop I always sweep with the regular broom first, then mop and then swiffer after that. Mops always seem to leave fuzz and hair.

sparsey · #10 01-24-2002, 03:03 PM

Alright all you cleaning freaks out there!!! Come and clean my house, I hate housework and after nearly 30 years of it, I could care less anymore. I wish I had a maid and a cook. Two jobs I just hate!!!