Keeping your floors neat and tidy when there are young or furry members of the family living in your house is difficult. Parents and pet owners both know that a certain amount of messiness and wear is inevitable, but it’s helpful to know what materials are more kid and pet-friendly flooring than others. Here is what you need to know about choosing flooring that will be best suited for children, pets or a combination of the two.

Stain-resistant carpet

Just as the name implies, stain-resistant carpet is specially made to repel dirt, liquids and other messes (including pet accidents). Carpets made with wool are naturally stain-resistant and durable, but a bit pricier than synthetic materials. The most popular stain-resistant carpets are made from nylon that’s been infused with a special coating during the manufacturing process. One word of caution: do not clean your stain-resistant carpets with harsh chemicals, because this could damage or erode the coating.

 Tile

Porcelain, stone or ceramic tile is a good choice if you’re looking for something that can hold up against wear and tear. Like stain-resistant carpet, messes can quickly and easily be mopped up without leaving permanent damage. Tile is also very scratch resistant, which is helpful if you are worried about pet claws damaging your floor.

 Vinyl flooring

While most people wouldn’t think vinyl to be a very innovative flooring choice, there have been many innovations in vinyl over the last few years. Today’s “luxury” vinyl designs is great for pets and kids because it’s scratch and stain resistant, low in allergens, easy to clean and even quiet to walk on.

 Green options

Many homeowners are choosing to install flooring made from renewable resources, such as cork or bamboo. Both are very durable materials, which make them great options for homeowners with pets or children. Cork flooring is naturally antimicrobial, which means that it will reduce the amount of mold and other allergens in the room. Additionally, it’s scratch resistant and holds up well against moisture. It also can absorb sound, which is always a plus for pet owners and parents. You may also want to investigate bamboo flooring. Bamboo is actually harder than hardwood flooring, which means than it will stand up to foot traffic. It is also stain-resistant and extremely durable.

The best way to choose flooring is to analyze what types of things your family will do most frequently in that particular room. Then consider which type of material will most benefit all the activities (and potential messes) that may occur there. Choose carefully and you’ll have flooring that enhances the room and makes the entire family happier.