Winter can be a challenging time for homeowners as it brings snow, mud, and debris into the house. This can make maintaining your flooring a daunting task. However, regular maintenance and care are very beneficial for your real wood floor, even if cleaning is not in-depth [1]. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to clean and care for your flooring during the winter months.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance and care of your flooring are important, even during the winter months. Make sure you do not forget about the daily or weekly cleaning, which involves hoovering the floor to remove the dust and dirt and mopping it with a damp mop to remove the trapped dirt and soil [1].
Using Doormats
Doormats play an essential role in keeping your floors clean during winter months. It is important to have a doormat at all entrance doors. This will help any dirt or grit to be wiped away so that it doesn't reach your wooden floor. It is especially important to have a doormat if it has been raining or snowing. Take off any outdoor footwear before walking on your wooden floor [3].
Cleaning Entrance Mats
During winter, entrance mats should be cleaned regularly. A soaked mat can stain your hardwood flooring and even cause it to warp. Remove dry debris from the mat by shaking it roughly first. Then wash the mat and ensure that it is completely dry before use [2].
Vacuuming Instead of Dust Mopping
Switching from dust mopping to vacuuming is recommended to clean laminate floors during the winter months. Dust mops can push road salt and grit into the small grooves of your laminate flooring. A backpack-mounted or handheld vacuum will suck particulates into the canister rather than push them along the floor [5].
Use of Professional-Grade Floor Cleaners
Using professional-grade floor cleaners designed specifically for hardwood surfaces is an excellent way to not only clean the floor but treat and preserve its condition. Cleaning chemicals should also be used that will remove salt residue effectively while also cleaning the floor surface. Maintaining periodic deep cleaning: Keeping up with regular deep cleaning, especially during the winter months, can minimize the burden of daily cleaning and extend the life of floors [4] [7].
Humidifiers
To avoid damage due to low humidity levels, use a humidifier throughout the winter months to control and maintain the proper humidity level in your home [[4].
Deep Cleaning
Periodic deep cleaning is essential, especially during the winter months when floors get dirtier faster. Deep cleaning can minimize the burden of daily cleaning and extend the life of floors. Use a professional-grade floor cleaner and cleaning chemicals designed specifically for hardwood surfaces to clean and treat the floors. This can help remove dirt and grime buildup, leaving the floors looking like new [7].
Cleaning Salt Stains
Salt stains are a common issue during the winter months, and they can be a hassle to clean. The most suitable way to clean hardwood flooring stained with salt is a one-two punch with vinegar and water. Mix one cup of vinegar with a gallon of water, pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it onto salt stains. Utilize a paper towel or microfiber rag to wipe it dry [10].
Tips for Persistent Stains
If you have persistent stains, you can use dish soap to clean them. Mix a tablespoon of dish soap with a cup of warm water. Spray the affected area with the mixture and then blot dry with a dry towel or paper towel. Instead of dish soap, you can use OxiClean. Just be sure to dilute it as instructed on the container. If it's too powerful, you might harm the colours or fibres of your carpet. Spray the area and blot it dry [6].
