Blog > How to Prepare — and Care for — Your Home’s Flooring Before & After Thanksgiving
How to Prepare — and Care for — Your Home’s Flooring Before & After Thanksgiving
Mon, Nov 24, 2025
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for your home. Between, friends, extended family, kids, pets, food and foot traffic all come together under one roof in one home. While the focus is usually on the turkey and table settings, you also want to consider your floors as they can take a beating from the big holiday.
With a little planning though, before guests arrive and a smart cleanup strategy after the holiday, you can keep your floors looking great for the rest of the holiday season.
Here are a few tips before and after Turkey Day:
Before Thanksgiving: Protect Your Floors
1. Deep clean every surface
Start with a thorough vacuum and/or mop to remove dirt and debris that can scratch your floors when people walk across them. For hardwood and laminate, use a cleaner specifically designed for those materials. For tile, focus on grout lines. For carpet (should you have that in your dining room), a deep vacuum or light steam clean can make a big difference.
2. Place mats at every entry point
Entry mats are your first line of defense. If you don’t already have one by the front door, get one! Place one both outside and inside each entrance where people will be traveling through. This will help trap dirt, leaves, gravel, and moisture before guests walk-in. With guests coming from different locations, this step alone can minimize damage and staining.
3. Create a “shoes-off” or “wipe-down” zone
If possible, kindly ask guests to remove their shoes when they come into the home. You can make this inviting by placing a decorative sign and a basket of cozy socks or slippers near the door.
4. Add area rugs in high-traffic zones
Protect walkways to the kitchen, bathrooms, and living areas with runners or area rugs. They’re both practical and stylish and can be removed easily after the holiday once all the guests leave.
5. Move and pad furniture
Place furniture pads under dining chairs, extra tables, and sofas so they don’t scratch your floor when shifted to accommodate extra folding tables and chairs. This is especially important for hardwood and vinyl flooring.
6. Prepare for spills
Keep paper towels, a gentle cleaner, and microfiber cloths nearby. Accidents happen — from gravy to wine to pumpkin pie you don’t know what will end up on the floor. But, with fast action can prevent permanent stains.
After Thanksgiving: Restore Your Floors
Once your guests leave and the home goes back to normal, here a few things to immediately do to your floors:
1. Vacuum and sweep thoroughly
Immediately, once the crowd leves, start with a full vacuum or sweep to remove food crumbs, dirt, and dust brought in from outside. Check corners, under the table, and along baseboards.
2. Spot clean spills immediately
Even if you cleaned during the event, double-check for dried spots or sticky areas. Use the appropriate cleaner for each flooring type and avoid soaking the surface.
3. Mop with care
Use a damp — not wet — mop on hardwood and laminate. For tile and vinyl, a gentle mop with warm water and floor cleaner will refresh the surface without causing damage.
4. Treat carpet stains professionally
If your carpet saw serious action, consider getting it professionally cleaned to remove hidden debris and odors.
5. Inspect for scratches or scuffs
Holiday traffic and a lot of chair movement can leave marks. Light scratches on hardwood may be treated with a wood repair pen or polish. More serious damage may need professional attention.
6. Refresh with a post-holiday shine
Once the floors are clean, apply a protective polish or conditioner recommended for your flooring type to restore luster and create a protective barrier for future gatherings.
If you noticed your floors didn’t hold up as well as expected, it might be time to start planning to upgrade your flooring. Durable options like luxury vinyl plank, waterproof laminate, and scratch-resistant tile are perfect for busy households and holiday hosting.
The team at Jason’s Carpet and Tile can help you choose the best material for your lifestyle and even offer free in-home consultations. This way you can see your options and get an honest opinion. Call us today at 954-231-4487. Happy Thanksgiving.