It's almost impossible to avoid winter elements being tracked into the home. After all, what would the season be without building a snowman or sledding until you're soaked? Without proper care, though, winter's harsh elements—slush, snow and salt—can dull the varnish of hardwood floors and even cause warping and gaps.

Rather than missing out on winter fun, here are a couple of simple steps you can take to protect your floors this winter.

Install Floor Mats

Catching slush and snow at the door is the best way to avoid damage. It's important to keep these mats as clean and dry as possible. Consider investing in an additional mat you can use while drying the other. If your kids enjoy playing outside, have them remove their wet clothes as soon as they come in to avoid trekking snow through the house.

Get Creative with Household Materials

A dish-drainer tray mat by the door with a towel underneath can be a nice place for shoes and boots to dry. Kindly ask guests to remove their shoes as they enter. Buy inexpensive or disposable slippers to make guests feel more comfortable.

Train Your Pets

Pets are the number one offenders of tracking snow and slush into the house. Train your pets to patiently wait by the door while you dry their paws with a towel, and then reward them with a treat. Consider placing a bowl of treats by the door as a reminder.

Be Prepared

Always keep soft towels or a wet/dry vacuum on hand in case you need to get rid of water right away. While towels can clean up most of the mess, it's best to invest in a quality floor care kit. Lumber Liquidators offers a Bellawood Floor Care Kit ($25) that contains a 32-ounce bottle of soy-based cleaner, a mop with a washable terrycloth mop head and a tin with 100 felt furniture pads. 

Check the Warranty

Some companies offer warranties, should snow or other harmful elements damage your floors. Before purchasing your hardwood floors, learn which product warranties the company offers.

While winter can be a difficult time for hardwood floors, there is one benefit to this season: It's one of the best times to install hardwood flooring. Indoor moisture levels are at their lowest, which helps to prevent gapping.

For more information about installing hardwood floors, visit your local flooring professionals at Floor Coverings International.