We are entering the winter season in Wisconsin. And that means cold, snow, salt and slush is heading towards your doorstep, and the floors in your home! Keep your floors protected from winter weather by following these tips:
Use Floor Mats, Rugs and Boot Trays
One of the best ways to protect your floors is to keep the snow, slush and salt off of them. To do that, we recommend adding floor mats to your entranceways, both indoors and outdoors if possible. In addition, put a boot tray by the main entranceway and remove shoes and boots before entering your home. The boot tray will collect the salt and slush from your shoes and boots, instead of your floors. And, for high traffic areas like hallways, consider adding a rug (ideally washable) that can handle the extra traffic, and the water that comes along with snowy months.
Plan To Sweep Or Vacuum Regularly
Salt, tiny rocks and dirt can cause damage to floors and get embedded in carpeting. Avoid the damage by increasing how often you sweep or vacuum your floors, especially near entranceways. Use extra caution if you typically you floor cleaning pads when cleaning your floors. Salt and small rocks can get stuck to the bottom and could cause scratches to occur while cleaning.
Get Ready To Spot Clean
At some point, snow will end up on your floors. Be ready with a combination vinegar/water spray, and a soft cloth to clean up those messes, when they happen. Cleaning them up quickly can help prevent discoloration, warping and that ring of salty water on floors that we are all likely familiar with.
Wipe Your Pet’s Paws
Dogs are also capable of bringing Wisconsin weather into your home. Have a towel available and gently wipe their paws off when they come in from being outside or from walks. This also helps keep the salt out of their paws.
Make Plans For A Professional Cleaning
When the winter weather ends and spring finally arrives, schedule a professional cleaning for your floors. A professional cleaner can deep clean your floors making sure to remove any leftover salt and dirt that snuck its way in over the winter months. And, if you recently had carpet installed, carpet manufacturers require a professional steam dry extraction method of cleaning every 18 months.
Putting in a bit of extra work to protect your floors from the winter weather will help keep them looking great, and staying clean longer. But if spring rolls around and it’s time replace the flooring in your home, visit our showroom to check out the selection of carpet, luxury vinyl plank and tile, and laminate flooring that we have available.