How to Maintain Clean Floors During Snow Season
Tips from Redwood Cleaning Company
In many regions, winter brings beautiful snow-covered landscapes, but it also means dealing with snow, salt, and mud being tracked into homes and businesses. Protecting your floors during the snowy season can be challenging, but it's essential to maintain a clean, welcoming, and damage-free space. At Redwood Cleaning Company, we know the tricks of the trade for keeping floors pristine, even through sloppy winter months. Here are our top tips for safeguarding and cleaning your floors during snow season.
1. Create a Protective Entryway
The entryway is your first line of defense against snow and debris. Use these tips to keep unwanted elements from reaching your floors:
Invest in Quality Mats: Place durable, absorbent mats inside and outside your doors. These help catch moisture, dirt, and salt before spreading across your floors.
Use a Boot Tray: A boot tray gives family members and guests a designated place to store wet, muddy boots and shoes. Look for a tray with raised edges to contain water runoff.
Encourage Shoe Removal: If possible, ask family members and guests to remove their shoes upon entering. This simple step will keep floors significantly cleaner.
2. Choose Floor-Friendly Cleaning Products
The salt and de-icing chemicals used on Bozeman's roads can damage floors, mainly hardwood and laminate. Here's how to clean effectively with eco-friendly cleaning products without causing harm:
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Avoid using bleach or acidic cleaners on hardwood or laminate floors, as these can dull finishes and cause discoloration. Opt for gentle, pH-neutral cleaners instead.
Use a Mild Vinegar Solution: A warm water and vinegar solution effectively removes salt and dirt without harming the finish of tile or stone floors. However, avoid vinegar on hardwood floors, as it can damage the finish.
Mop Regularly: Frequent mopping is critical to keeping your floors salt-free. Use a microfiber mop that can trap dust, dirt, and salt residue without scratching delicate surfaces.
3. Regularly Sweep and Vacuum
Frequent sweeping or vacuuming prevents salt and grit from embedding into your floors:
Sweep High-Traffic Areas Daily: During the snow season, prioritize sweeping in entryways and other high-traffic areas daily to prevent buildup.
Vacuum Carpets and Rugs: Use a vacuum with strong suction to remove embedded dirt and salt from rugs and carpets near your entryways. Salt can break down carpet fibers over time, so regular vacuuming is essential.
4. Prevent Water Damage
Winter brings a lot of moisture into your home, which can damage floors over time:
Wipe Up Water Quickly: If you notice any melted snow pooling on your floor, wipe it up immediately to prevent water damage, warping, or stains.
Use Floor Protectors: Add felt or rubber protectors to the bottom of furniture legs to prevent scratches from moisture swelling.
Consider Sealing Hardwood Floors: If you have hardwood floors, consider applying a fresh coat of sealant to add an extra layer of protection against water and salt.
5. Maintain Your Mats
Entryway mats do a lot of work, so they need regular maintenance, too:
Shake or Vacuum Mats Daily: Shake out or vacuum mats regularly to prevent dirt from accumulating and spreading to your floors.
Wash Mats Weekly: Many mats are machine washable; clean them weekly to keep them working effectively.
6. Deep Clean After the Season
Once the snow season ends, give your floors a thorough deep cleaning:
Schedule a Professional Clean: Your floors deserve a professional touch after months of wear. Our Redwood Cleaning team can tackle the residue of winter grime, leaving your floors refreshed and ready for spring.
Polish Hardwood Floors: A seasonal polish or buff can restore the shine of hardwood floors and protect them against future damage.
Keep Your Floors Safe with Redwood Cleaning Company
With the proper steps, maintaining clean floors during the snow season is achievable. At Redwood Cleaning Company, we understand unique winter weather challenges and are here to help keep your home looking its best. Don't hesitate to contact us for help with floor maintenance or a deep clean when the season wraps up. Stay warm and enjoy winter, knowing your floors are in good hands!