How to keep pet-friendly flooring clean

Dog owner vaccuuming floor

How do you keep pet-friendly flooring clean? Our guide has all the answers you need.

Here at Floors For Paws, we make a clear distinction between pet-proof and pet-friendly flooring and what the differences are. We believe that while flooring can be pet-proof, i.e. able to withstand wear and tear, scratch resistant, waterproof and low maintenance, it isn’t necessarily pet-friendly or, in other words, kind to our pets. So, we have developed three separate ranges of vinyl flooring that is dog-proof and dog-friendly, manufactured from quality materials. But what is the best way to keep this pet-friendly flooring clean?

Vinyl flooring requires regular maintenance

Adopting a regular maintenance schedule will go a long way to keeping the vinyl floor looking its best and will prevent it from becoming dull and tired.

Spills and stains – these should be dealt with immediately and not allowed to sit on the vinyl. Spillages should be wiped up and stains removed with a damp mop

Do not allow dust and debris to build up – get into the habit of sweeping or vacuuming a vinyl floor regularly, and always prior to mopping.

Regular mopping – if the steps above are followed, your vinyl floor will require nothing more than regular mopping with plain, warm water.

Where your flooring is exposed to high volumes of traffic, for example in commercial premises, it will need a deep clean; how often you deep clean the floor will depend on the amount of traffic, but there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of dirt being brought onto the floor in the first place.

How to minimise the risk of dirt on a vinyl floor

  • Positioning vinyl backed mats at points of entry will reduce the amount of dirt brought in on paws and feet. Avoid rubber-backed mats though as the rubber may react with the vinyl to leave marks.
  • Use of an effective entrance mat will reduce 70% of dirt ingress.
  • Protect the vinyl under the feet of heavy furniture with coasters, to reduce damage from scratches and dents which will attract dust and dirt.
  • Always wipe paws after walks.

How to clean vinyl floors

After vacuuming the floor, buff out any scuffs with a clean microfibre cloth. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of baking soda and water, rubbing it in gently until the stain disappears before wiping the residue off.

Then, using a microfibre mop and a solution of one cup of white vinegar in one gallon of warm water, mop the vinyl. For particularly dirty floors, add a drop of dishwashing liquid to the water. Make sure your mop is damp only and not dripping wet and replace the water as soon as it becomes too dirty, as often as necessary. Rinse the floor by mopping with plain water and always dry the floor afterwards to prevent moisture entering any joins in the vinyl.

Things to avoid when cleaning vinyl flooring

  • Floor polish – this will damage vinyl.
  • Abrasive scourers – they will damage the surface of the floor, and remove the shiny appearance.
  • Steam cleaners – damage can be caused by the steam and heat which in turn could invalidate any warranties.

Vinyl flooring is low maintenance but it does require a regular cleaning regime to ensure it looks its best for as long as possible.

Pet-friendly vinyl flooring from Floor For Paws

Our choice of pet-friendly vinyl flooring is suitable for domestic and commercial properties and consists of:

Pawsafe Commercial range

Sheet vinyl on a roll, our Pawsafe Commercial range is designed for commercial premises and requires no or very few joins when installed, providing an impenetrable surface ideal for veterinarian clinics, day care centres and pet-friendly cafes and restaurants. Choose three free samples using our sample picker to see the choice available.

Luxury vinyl range

Choose from stone-effect tiles or wood-effect planks in our Luxury Vinyl range. This durable and attractive flooring is both practical and stylish. Click here to see the available options and to pick your three free samples.

Pawsafe Domestic range

Supplied in a selection of plank sizes, the Pawsafe Domestic range offers a wide selection of designs to choose from, and is ideal for domestic settings. Use the sample picker to explore the designs available and to choose up to three to see for yourself.

For any questions about how to keep your pet-friendly flooring clean, call us on 01522 300218 or send us an email to info@floorsforpaws.com

Not just for dogs

wimbledon racquet club

Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club is a long established not for profit Community Amateur Sports Club. It is one of the most successful badminton and squash venues in the country, has thriving junior sections in both squash and badminton and has nurtured many top class players, including several current GB Olympic badminton prospects.

Built on its current site in 1936, the doors were officially opened on Tuesday 26th January 1937 by Lord Ebbisham. Over the years the club has grown in size and popularity and now offers many facilities including a gymnasium, dance studio, fitness centre, sauna, members bar and lounge, and a function suite.
Wimbledon racquets and fitness club offer a friendly and inviting atmosphere with excellent facilities, and have been recognised as a Performance Centre by Badminton England.

Interestingly they are not a dog friendly venue. In fact we have done a lot of commercial venues over the years and Wimbledon is the first project we have undertaken that do not allow dogs on site.

In 2022 we were approached by Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club (WRFC) about installing our commercial flooring in the bar area and members lounge; we were put forward by one of their board members as he had our flooring in his house. Richard saw how the flooring performed, was impressed with the hard wearing durable properties and 10 year commercial warranty and though it would be ideal for the project.

The project itself was nearly 100sqm, the existing floor was engineered wood, however below the engineered wood was blown latex, marmoleum, another coat of latex, plywood and yet another layer of latex which had also blown. It took two days and a large skip to get to the point where we could start work on the subfloor preparation. Step one was applying a primer and a coat of moisture tolerant smoothing compound, step two was applying a full damp proof membrane, step three and four was building up the levels using a smoothing compound. Like in every project subfloor works are imperative; in this case the subfloor works were the main bulk of the cost and work. Getting the subfloor ready for the commercial floor covering took 5 days, around 150 bags of smoothing compound and a lot of hard work!

Once we started laying the commercial Floors for Paws we really saw the room transform, all the hard work of the last week started to paid off. The Greenwood commercial flooring design has loads of detail in the printing and looks very realistic in situ, in fact you would have to get down in your hands and knees to tell it’s not actually a wooden floor; it is also one of our floor coverings that is really good at hiding the dirt! A great choice for the club all round.

Club Details
https://www.wimbledonclub.co.uk/

Cranbrook Road
Wimbledon
SW19 4HD

For more information on how to become a member of the club call 0208 9475806

Contractor Details
RMW Floors
Surrey
rich.rmwfloors@hotmail.com
T: 07900 487779

Canine Arthritis Management – The best knowledge hub for your dog’s arthritis

Canine arthritis

Find out all about Canine Arthritis Management, their ethos and our association with them.

At Floors For Paws, we prioritise the needs of your dogs while making sure that our flooring ticks all the boxes for you too. All our team members are devoted dog owners who understand the challenges of having beautiful flooring with dogs in the home.

To this end, we have worked hard to develop a range of flooring solutions that are hypo-allergenic, easy clean, slip resistant, anti-stain, and waterproof. They also feature a unique comfort backing to provide better cushioning for your pet’s older or arthritic joints.

We are justifiably proud of the endorsement for our products that we have received from Canine Arthritis Management but, who or what is Canine Arthritis Management?

What is Canine Arthritis Management?

Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) provides online resources for both caregivers of dogs and veterinarian professionals. Their aim is to raise awareness of, and educate people about, arthritis in dogs. The driving force behind the organisation is Dr Hannah Capon, a veterinary surgeon with over 20 years’ clinical experience. Having euthanised arthritic dogs who were otherwise completely healthy (canine arthritis is the main reason for euthanising dogs in the UK), Hannah took it upon herself to educate people in early diagnosis of the condition and multi-modal management of it. As a result of her tireless work and commitment, Hannah has won the CEVA Vet of the Year Award (2019) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Impact Award (2020).

How to access CAM resources

Canine Arthritis Management has a huge social media presence with profiles on all major platforms. Across their combined Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram accounts, the organisation has tens of thousands of followers around the world. More information about the work that CAM does and details of how to get in touch with them and access their resources, can be found here.

Floors For Paws and Canine Arthritis Management

At Floors For Paws, we believe that quality and style does not need to be compromised in favour of a dog-friendly flooring, and our ranges have been developed in line with the ethos of CAM, to provide customers with both. Our Pawsafe Domestic range is a luxury vinyl flooring that is fully endorsed by CAM and which offers an extensive choice of designs to suit every home, and every dog owner! With a comfort layer that is gentle for canine joints, the range is non-slip with a textured surface to support safe movement. For commercial premises that experience a high level of four-legged traffic such as veterinarian practices, doggy day care centres and pet cafes, the Pawsafe Commercial range (CAM endorsed) is perfect. Supplied as sheet vinyl off the roll, the range is available in a choice of wood- or stone-effect designs and is durable enough to cope with high traffic volumes, thanks to its thicker than average wear layer.

If you care passionately about the welfare and wellbeing of your pets but still want an attractive and appealing flooring solution in your home or commercial premises, give our expert sales team a call on 01522 300218 or send us an email at info@floorsforpaws.com

Best flooring for dogs that pee

Dog wee on floor

Are you looking for dog pee proof flooring? Our guide looks at all your options!

Do you own an establishment that welcomes lots of four legged visitors? Perhaps a pet-friendly café or a grooming parlour? Then you will be looking for a flooring solution that will cope with the inevitable accidents that will happen so that the floor does not succumb to damage caused by excess pee. Here, we look at what that damage is and which flooring will minimise the risks.

Anyone who has ever owned a dog will know that pee accidents do happen, whether from a puppy during training or an elderly pet suffering from age incontinence. Urine can stain flooring surfaces, soak into them to create enduring bad smells and even contribute to the flooring rotting. The finish on the flooring can deteriorate and become discoloured over time. It goes without saying that all accidents should be cleaned up as soon as possible but the following are specific problems that affect different types of flooring.

Dog pee and laminate flooring

Made from softwood fibres, laminate flooring will cope with minimal spillages as it is water resistant. However, excessive liquid from dog pee or water bowls, can cause buckling of the boards and any moisture that penetrates the joins between the boards will cause deterioration and damage.

Dog pee and solid wood floors

Solid wood, particularly if unsealed, will soak up liquid like a sponge and become stained and discoloured; where the floor is a light colour, you will be left with dark patches! The acid in dog pee can cause the finish to break down and where urine is allowed to penetrate the wood, a smell will develop. If a dog pees in the same spot regularly, the wood will ultimately warp.

Dog pee and carpet

While dogs certainly appreciate the comfort and warmth that carpet provides, it is not the best flooring for dogs that pee! The porous carpet fibres will soak up the pee to cause foul odours and stains will quickly appear.

Dog pee and ceramic tiles

Often considered the best flooring for dog owners, due to its water resistance and low maintenance, ceramic flooring is not at all pet-friendly. Cold, hard and uncomfortable for young and elderly dogs alike, ceramic tiles also pose a slip hazard. Where dogs are unable to gain traction underfoot and slip, this can aggravate joint issues, leading to breaks and, in the long term, arthritis.

So what is the best flooring for dogs that pee? Vinyl has emerged to be not only dog pee proof flooring but also dog-friendly flooring. Here’s why: 

Dog pee and vinyl flooring

Encompassing luxury vinyl tiles, vinyl plank flooring and vinyl on a roll, vinyl flooring when professionally installed is completely waterproof, as it is glued onto the sub-floor, which creates an impermeable seal between any joins. In the event that urine is left unattended, it will not penetrate the vinyl, remaining on the surface.

Floors For Paws vinyl flooring

Working closely with Canine Arthritis Management, we have developed a range of vinyl flooring specifically for commercial settings.

Pawsafe Commercial range

Designed for commercial premises with a high volume of four-legged traffic, including veterinarian clinics and day care centres, our Pawsafe Commercial sheet vinyl on a roll can be installed with no, or very few, joins. To make your premises more appealing and welcoming to visitors, the vinyl is available in wood- and stone-effect designs while the thicker than average wear layer is comfortable for dogs of all ages. When installed by one of our approved contractors, the range comes with a 10-year commercial guarantee. Our guide to sheet vinyl flooring has lots more information and if you like what you see, you can request up to three free samples.

For any questions about our dog pee proof flooring, give our friendly team a call on 01522 300218 or send us an email to info@floorsforpaws.com