Rubber pads are notorious for ruining the finish on the traditional hardwood floors. So, it’s not unnatural to worry about the quality of a mat before placing it on the ground. Many have been switching to the Waterhog mats lately as they’re water-resistant, traffic-friendly, and long-lasting. But are Waterhog mats safe for hardwood floors?
Waterhog mats will not damage your hardwood floors, unlike the other synthetic rubber pads. The mats come with the brand’s signature Water Dam Borders to prevent any water leakage. And the rubber pads don’t have any toxic adhesives to act as sealants between the floors and the mat covers. So, the mats will leave no bad impact on the floors even with heavy usage.
Waterhog mats have many special properties in addition to the water-resistant facilities and lack of stickiness. Let’s find out about a few of these positive qualities in today’s article.
Are Waterhog Mats Safe For Hardwood Floors?
Waterhog mats are one of the safest options for hardwood floors especially if the floors will undergo heavy traffic usage. They don’t slip easily, scratch easily and most importantly, the rubber pads won’t let the soaked up water seep in through the floors.
They are also super comfortable to walk and sit on. The Waterhog mats are famous for their water retention facilities. You can rely on these mats to keep your floor dry and smooth 24/7 regardless of the humidity level of the environment.
What Makes Waterhog Mats Safe For Hardwood Floors?
Waterhog mats keep hardwood floors intact by:
Soaking Up The Moisture
Waterhog mats are famous for their “water dam borders”. This trademark feature allows their mats to retain a large percentage of water to keep the underlying surfaces warm.
When spread properly, they act as a reservoir and store the excess moisture in the central portion of the mats.
Hence, the water can’t accidentally spill out from the sides. For every square yard, Waterhog mats can retain up to 1.5 gallons of water. That means, larger mats can protect the hardwood floors from several gallons of water and moisture.
Fitting In Properly
Waterhog mats come in all shapes, sizes, and thicknesses. Furthermore, you can also style them accordingly by placing an order for the customized versions.
So, you won’t have to tuck in and hide the additional segments under tables or sofas any longer.
Forced tucking causes curling, curling causes rough fraying, and uneven mats leave uneven scratches all over the floors.
Drying Naturally
The Waterhog mats, in addition to retaining moisture, also dry up quickly enough on their own.
As a result, your hardwood floors will never have to deal with damp mats for a long time.
Covering The Ground Smoothly
Waterhog mats come with 100% smooth rubber backings. The heavy-duty pads maintain a healthy layer between the hardwood floors and designated mats at all times.
Reducing Static Friction
The 20% recycled rubber pads also reduce static friction between the two surfaces. So, with the Waterhog mats, you can jump around, walk-in heels, and do many other things on the floors without having to worry about scratches or cracks.
How To Wash Waterhog Mats The Right Way?
Here are a few important tips to wash Waterhog mats the right way so they won’t damage the hardwood floors –
● Don’t use disapproved liquid detergents to clean the mats
● Don’t use harsh chemicals to get the stains off
● Let the mats air dry or vaporize the water with steam rollers
● Don’t let the mats sit under direct sunlight
● Don’t place the damp mats on the hardwood floors
Few Common Waterhog Mat Problems & Their Easy Fixes
First-time Waterhog users often have common misconceptions regarding the Waterhog mats and their usage. As a result, they end up taking the wrong steps during assembly or cleaning which, in turn, causes several issues.
So, is it okay to blame the quality of the mats when mishandling and lack of care create problematic situations? Surely not. With proper care, all Waterhog mats are perfectly safe for not only hardwood but all other types of floors.
Here’s an overview of all the dos and don’ts alongside their causal factors to help you upgrade your maintenance game!!
| Problems | Do’s | Don’ts |
| Inconsistent fraying damage | Use protectors i.e. rubber pads under the mats! | Keep the thin mats lying around on their own |
| Uneven surface feeling | Wear flat and soft shoes inside the house | Wear high heels with pointy ends on hardwood floors |
| Mats curling up frequently | Spread the edges properly and straightly while tucking the mats under the furniture | Force the mat to stay in a crooked position to make them fit under the furniture |
| Muddy feeling | Use separate mats for outdoor and indoor usage | Let the dusty mats get drenched with water |
| Mats becoming abrasive | Use soft and brand-approved cleaners to wash the mats | Use cleaners with harsh chemicals to wash the mats |
| Chipped cracks in the floors | Keep the mats away from direct sunlight, fireplace, etc. | Keep the mats close to high-temperature regions |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize the Waterhog mats for hardwood floors?
Yes, the Waterhog company allows ample customizable amenities so that you can decorate your hardwood floors and decks with the mat of your dreams. You can customize the size of the mats to make them bigger or smaller, as required. Additionally, you can virtually include any type of designs, templates, logos, colors, motifs, emblems, etc. to them.
Why can’t I use shampoo or liquid cleaners directly to wash the Waterhog mats?
You can’t use shampoo or liquid cleaners directly to wash the Waterhog mats for two specific reasons.
Firstly, the Waterhog mats come with a selected list of cleaners for washing purposes. Using other types of abrasive cleaners other than those can produce detrimental effects.
And secondly, it’s not recommended to wash the mats directly without dusting them off first. Because, if not, the dust and dirt will stick to the mats and get muddy upon getting wet. Use shampoo and liquid cleaners only after you’ve dusted off the excess dirt from the mats by shaking them vigorously.
How long does it take for Waterhog mats to dry?
The drying period varies significantly depending on the thickness and size of the Waterhog mats.
Thicker king-sized mats will take a lot longer to dry consistently than thin regular use Waterhog mats.
However, you can always speed up the drying process by using steam rollers to quickly evaporate away from the excess moisture.
Should I get smooth backing mats or gripper mats for traditional wooden/hardwood floors?
Smooth backing mats are better than gripper mats for wooden/hardwood floors. Because the gripper mats need middlemen layers like carpets to, well, *grip* the surface.
Since hardwood floors come with smooth and polished finishes, they don’t have any such good gripping capabilities. So, for hard surfaces with smooth layers, like hardwood floors, smooth backing Waterhog mats are the best options.
What causes staining on hardwood floors?
Hardwood floors can suffer through staining via long-term exposure to moisture and wetness. Again, if the shampoo or the liquid cleaners haven’t been washed off properly from the mats, the chemicals can react with the finish and cause stains.
Final Verdict
So, are Waterhog mats safe for hardwood floors? Turns out, they’re not only safe but also one of the best long-lasting options for hardwood floors. The water-resistant properties singlehandedly keep the floors safe from unwanted moisture.
Plus, the mats are easy to wash, don’t require super-strong liquid cleaners, and dry out quickly as well.
Even with constant usage in a busy home, the quality of the mats doesn’t drop easily over time i.e. the mats don’t fray easily. Besides hardwood floors, the Waterhog mats can fit in practically everywhere in a conventional home effortlessly.