Posted by: Hannah Kroehler

t’s that time of the year when floors everywhere start to be covered in a gross, white film as the snow, ice and dirt from outside is trekked indoors. Keep your home looking pristine by following these tips.

DOORMATS EVERYWHERE

Invest in getting nice quality doormats both inside and outside for every entry point of your home. These will be your first line of defense in keeping the snow and slush out of your home. Wipe your shoes on both doormats every time you walk inside.

TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES

You really should be taking off your shoes as soon as you enter your house year-round to keep the floors clean, but it is vital during the winter months. As much as you wipe them on your doormats, your shoes will still have snow, ice and salt coming in with them. It is your safest bet to simply leave them at the door.

BEWARE OF PETS

As much effort as you are putting in to keep your floors clean, be sure you are making the same effort for your pets. Keep washcloths and towels by the door to wipe off their feet and body every time they come back inside. It will save you a lot of work later if you take this step now.

VACUUM AND SWEEP REGULARLY

Stay on top of your vacuuming and sweeping throughout the house to collect any of the salt that might make its way in. Salt can wear down the protective barriers on hardwood floors if left sitting too long, so try to make a daily habit of cleaning your floors. Once you’ve swept, mop your floors every few days to get rid of any films left over.

PROTECT YOUR FLOORS FROM SALT

The salt used during the winter months to combat the ice and snow is made from calcium chloride. This chemical is very hard on floors and can eat through the finish on hardwood flooring. An easy at-home way to combat this is combining five ounces of plain vinegar with four gallons of water to keep your floors clean.