I love the smells of Christmas. Gingerbread, eggnog and even the smell of snow, but one of my favorite smells is a real live Christmas tree. This may seem strange for a hardwood floor guy like me since real trees have been known to wreak havoc with scratches, sap stains and water damage.
It doesn’t have to be that way though, as long as you take some precautions to protect your hardwood floors from Yuletide damage. Here are some ideas:
Fa-la-la-ling Needles
You have to consider your hardwood floors not only when your tree is sitting in your living room, looking pretty but also when bringing it inside. Thoroughly sweep or vacuum the area of the floor where the tree will go. This will make sure there isn’t any debris trapped under the tree stand will scratch the floor.
As well before bringing the tree into your home, shake it and bang the trunk on the ground outside to knock off any loose needles. You can also put the tree in a large garbage bag, covering as many of the branches as possible to keep some needles from falling off and getting tracked across your floor while you carry the tree through your house.
Falling needles will not damage your floors, but if you or someone else steps on them and begins to drag them around, then there’s always a possibility of scratches.
O Christmas Tree Stand
No one wants their tree to fall over but the heavier and more sturdy the tree stand, the more likely it is to scratch up your floor. A tree stand mat, one purchased from a store or a folded towel or blanket, creates a soft base for the stand.
Just remember - if you use a towel or a bed sheet for this job, remember to check it frequently for dampness as these will hold any spilled water and damage your floor’s finish.
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Skirt
A tree skirt is your hardwood floor’s best friend at Christmas. Just like with your tree stand you can buy, make one or even use a tablecloth or plastic sheet. No matter what it is, a tree skirt under your tree will help catch falling needles and prevent water or tree sap from seeping onto your floor.
Holly Jolly Tidy
Once your tree is up, remember to frequently sweep or vacuum the area around the tree to get rid of any loose needles. Also keeping the tree watered to prevent excessive needle loss but take care not to overfill and cause water damage.
If you follow these few precautions, the chances of your hardwood floor surviving the holiday season with your real tree are high. We personally wish all of our readers and subscribers a wonderful Holiday season! Happy Holidays from the team at Ralphs!
Photo courtesy of Vasile Cotovanu
