From the Floors Up

Best Flooring Options for Dogs & Cats

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If you’re a pet-owner, you’re probably already all too familiar with the wear and tear that our furry friends can cause to your home over time. Scratches, stains, odors and dirt are all common pet-caused hassles that can be especially damaging to floors.

That’s why many pet-owners, whether they’re building or remodeling a home, are cautious about what type of flooring they choose to install in the areas in which their pets live with them.

Before you begin your search, there are 4 common concerns that pet owners should consider when searching for flooring for their next project.

  1. Scratch resistance: How well does the floor resist scratches and other marks, commonly caused by dogs’ nails as they walk around?
  2. Damage resistance: Does the floor have a natural resistance to damage from things like pet urine and other accidents?
  3. Traction & comfort: Does the surface of the floor allow pets to move, walk, run, sit and lay safely and comfortably?
  4. Durability & ease of cleaning: How easy is it to regularly clean the floor and return it to its original look?

So, with all of that in mind, which types of flooring are best for dogs and other pets? You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you have a lot of options when it comes to pet-friendly flooring.

Modern innovations have led to pet-focused technologies and warranties across the entire spectrum of flooring categories. We’ll dive into each one and give you our top product recommendations.

Pet-friendly carpet

Many people prefer soft, warm carpet in their bedrooms, but it’s probably not your first thought when you’re trying to pick flooring for a home with pets.

Carpet feels good for your pets to lie down, but it can be tough to clean and is prone to easy wear and tear. If you do opt for carpet, consider keeping it in low-traffic areas (such as bedrooms) where your pets don’t spend much time playing and running around.

Pet-friendly tile

Tile is well-suited to homes with pets in the family. Its hard surface and dense makeup make tile extremely durable and resistant to scratches from toenails.

Tile is also very easy to clean, as soil and pet hair sits on the surface. A routine sweeping, dusting or gentle vacuuming will pick up most solid debris. Wet mop as soon as spills or accidents occur, and you’ll be able to keep your tile looking and smelling as fresh and clean as the day you bought it.

The only significant drawback to having tile in a home with pets is that the surface is relatively cold and hard in comparison to most other types of flooring. You can solve this by laying down area rugs throughout your space, or a soft dog or cat bed or cushion.

Pet-friendly vinyl flooring

Luxury vinyl is arguably the ideal choice for pet-friendly flooring. The list of benefits is long. For example, vinyl flooring:

  • Is extremely affordable compared to other flooring options
  • Can be installed anywhere in the home, on, above or below grade
  • Offers great traction with realistic wood textures
  • Comes in a variety of beautiful, natural designs that mimic wood and tile
  • Is easy to clean and resistant to scratches and stains
  • Does not trap or release allergens into the air
  • Is comfortable and quiet underfoot

You may be considering LifeProof Vinyl Flooring. Be sure to educate yourself on the pros and cons before making your decision.

The main potential drawback to vinyl flooring is that it can be susceptible to water or other liquid damage. However, modern innovation has led to a number of waterproof vinyl options that are well-suited to homes with pets.

Pet-friendly laminate flooring

Laminate is similar to vinyl in many ways. It looks like hardwood, is easy to clean, and it resists water and scratches well.

You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the difference between vinyl plank vs. laminate before you start the decision making process.

One drawback to laminate are that it often has a slippery surface that isn’t great for soft paws. You can avoid this by choosing a laminate with a textured surface. These floors are beautiful and are especially good for active or older dogs.

How to Remove Gravy Stains from Carpet

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If little Tommy drops his Thanksgiving dinner plate on the carpet tomorrow, don’t worry. This year, we’re sharing some of our best stain removal techniques with you. We hope you find these tips useful.

Nail Polish Remover – Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease (POG) removers. Many POG removers leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a POG remover, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent.

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

When in doubt, call a professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. Carpet and Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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How to Remove Pumpkin Stains

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When celebrating Halloween, all things pumpkin are usually involved! That means pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie and decorating with pumpkins. All of this can also mean pumpkin accidents, spills and stains! If you have a pumpkin stain on your carpet, don’t worry! Below is everything you need to know about how to remove pumpkin stains.

Pumpkin Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. Never use a stronger concentration! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues.

Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – www.carpet-rug.org

If you aren’t sure how to proceed, call on your local flooring retailer for help!

And if you’re wondering which floors resist stains the best, you’re not alone. When it comes to stain-resistance, you really can’t beat resilients—most notably laminate and vinyl plank. The best vinyl plank floors are tough, waterproof, and stain-resistant. The same is true for the best laminate floors, even though waterproof laminate flooring is a little less common.

Either way, both of these products are some of the best floors for dogs, kids, and yes, carving pumpkins for Halloween!

Different Types of Backsplashes

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Many homeowners include backsplashes in their kitchen and bathrooms as a decorative layer. The real value of backsplashes is providing a protective layer to your walls. A backsplash behind your stovetop can serve as a shield to your walls during greasy, saucy, or messy meals.

There are thousands of different types, styles and textures you can choose from for your kitchen or bathroom. If you want to install a backsplash for wall protection and decoration, keep reading! To help you rein in all of the choices, we have created a list of the different types of backsplashes. Keep in mind, there are endless custom options and designs. The items listed below are some of the most popular backsplash choices.

Different Materials for Backsplashes:
Tile: ceramic tile, glass tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, handmade tile, tumbled natural stone.
Metals: stainless steel, copper, bronze.
Natural Stone: marble, limestone, granite, quartz, soapstone, travertine, onyx

Backsplash Patterns:

Running Bond Tile Pattern (Also known as subway tile pattern)


Herringbone Pattern


Mosaic Pattern


Straight Lay Pattern


Diagonal Pattern


Checkerboard Pattern


Basketweave Pattern


Windmill Pattern


Versailles Pattern


Pinwheel Pattern

Full slabs

Backsplash Areas:

Between the upper cabinets and countertops in your kitchen or bathroom

Behind the kitchen’s stovetop

Behind the kitchen faucet

Area behind the bathroom sink between the mirror

The entire wall behind the bathroom mirror

Lining the space above your bathtub

When you think about a backsplash for decorative purposes, your mind naturally thinks of other places to add decorative tiles. Fireplaces, the wall above the fireplace, the wall behind a bed or other focal point in a room are all great places to add tile! Use your imagination and imagine all of the places you can add tile for decoration or functional purposes!

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Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen

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Are you searching for the perfect kitchen floor for your home? Putting high-quality laminate flooring in the kitchen is an excellent choice for many reasons such as versatility, easy maintenance, reasonable pricing, durability and ease of installation!

First, what is laminate flooring? It’s a very versatile hardwood floor alternative; available in a wide variety of wood looks, tile looks, different colors, thicknesses, surface textures and plank styles. Do you have a flair for decorating, or do you have a picture in your mind of the perfect design for your kitchen? Laminate flooring’s versatility makes it a great choice for decorating because of the vast amount of style and design choices.

One of the perks of laminate flooring vs. waterproof wood is that it is easy to maintain. It can be cleaned with a damp cloth or dust mop. It is also moisture and stain-resistant. Who doesn’t love that?

Next, laminate flooring is a reasonably priced choice compared to other flooring options. It is more affordable than hardwood, tile, and other common flooring choices.

It is also very durable. There are many waterproof laminate flooring choices that are water resistant, scratch-resistant and protected by a tough wear layer, making them a great choice for homes that you actually live, work and play in! It is a great choice for homes with pets, children and active lifestyles.

Another advantage is that the cost to install laminate flooring is relatively low, since process can be faster, smoother and less messy than with ther types of flooring. This can be particularly helpful as it can be less expensive than tile. Laminate flooring can also be installed more quickly and with less mess than tile.

Finally, laminate flooring is a great option for people with allergies. When the floors are properly maintained, there is no place for particles and dust to get trapped on laminate floors.

These are just a few of the reasons laminate flooring is an excellent choice for the kitchen.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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