With winter well on its way, many of us are at least mentally readying the outside of our homes against winter hazards. As important as preparing the exterior is, it’s also a good idea to take a moment and plan how best to protect against interior winter wear and tear. Sand is a sensible option for safeguarding against slips on the ice, but once tracked in, it can really leave its mark on your floors and carpets.
Here are a few tips to help you take optimal care of your floors this winter…
Extra Care at the Entrance
It’s fair to assume that the bulk of tracked-in sand will accumulate at or near entrances. Even if you ensure that family members and guests remove their shoes upon entering, you’ll want to stay on top of this sandy mess and establish an extended area for entryways and shoe removal. In order to do this, make the most of matting, especially heavy-duty, high performance mats, designed to keep debris in place.
Ideally, you want to dedicate anywhere between 15-18 feet of additional matting to your entrance way, in order to trap up to 80% of sand and grime from reaching your other floors and carpeted areas.
Swap Your Broom for a Vacuum
Whether you’re cleaning up the winterized matting at the entranceway, or doing a quick pass over the floors throughout your home, a vacuum is more effective at actually lifting and removing winter sand from surfaces. The trouble with sweeping is that the friction against the floor can increase the sand’s already abrasive properties, resulting in scratches or dulled surfaces.
If you need to wash your mats, make sure you allow ample time for them to dry as moisture makes it harder for these mats to collect and keep sand and other debris in place.
Do Your Due Diligence
Unfortunately, no matter the precautions and products, the key to keeping your floors in tip-top shape requires consistent cleaning. This is particularly true of any high-traffic areas, which might require a doubling up of your usual efforts, at least until the snow melts and the season is over.
Need help with your business? We offer cleaning solutions to keep up with sandy floors and more so you don’t have to. Request an estimate today!
