Keep your trading floor clean while keeping walkways good with these tips from a Midwestern cleaning expert .
Getty Images / Geir Pettersen
When you subsist in a region where winter storms are inevitable , you find out to embrace the elements . After a daytime of sledding and snowball combat , a warm cupful of cocoasounds delicious . However , wintry shape can be downright life-threatening , and often ask preventive measures . You , your neighbors , and most places of business you venture out to , will most belike lie down rock Strategic Arms Limitation Talks orice meltto prevent gaffe and accrue .
Credit:Getty Images / Geir Pettersen
While it ’s necessary to avoid accidents , salt can damage flooring when tracked inwardly . We spoke with Brandon Pleshak , Midwesterner and scavenge expert atClean That Up , who is no unusual toinclement winter . He shares the good way to prevent salt soil from appearing on floor — and the solution is astonishingly simple !
Why Do White Salt Stains Appear on the Floor in Winter?
First , it ’s important to understand how and why salt can damage your floors , because it may motivate you to prevent stain in the first place . common salt impacts materials in different ways , but light stains are usually the first clue visual clue that your floors are affected by salt . It will leave behind a white residue and eventually dulltheir shineorcause fadingand discoloration .
When mixed with disappear snow or ice , Strategic Arms Limitation Talks can also get warp if left untreated . Due to its high-pitched pH level , it ’s also a vitriolic chemical substance that may erodetile groutand cause it to crack , leading to pesky repairs and costly replacement . It can also corrode nearby alloy elements , such as doorway block and level vents . Possibly the most worrisome issue of all is that if you have pets , salt can do internal and international wellness hazards when they get in contact with it .
All types of floor are negatively touch on by salinity , but the preponderating problem alter depending on the textile . For example , hardwood andlaminate floorsare more prostrate to warping , while vinyl group is susceptible to surface abrasions . salinity stigma are n’t bound to hard floors : Carpet can also become discolor due to salt , and is one of the most difficult flooring types toclean subsequently .
How to Prevent Salt Stains on Floors
Because Strategic Arms Limitation Talks not only leaves annoying stains , but can permanently damage your floor as well , it ’s imperative to prevent salt stain in the first place . Pleshak is no stranger to thesalt stain struggle in winter , and has a few expert tips to share . “ I live in Wisconsin , so salt is a never - end battle the second the C. P. Snow starts to fly , ” he enjoin .
When it come to prevention , his simple suggestion is one of the most effective options . “ I always recommendtaking your shoe off at the doorif possible , and having at least a 5 - foot stolon rug to assist houseclean off your shoes if you do wear them at bottom , " he tell .
In addition to put down down a stolon ( a washable rug , if possible ! ) , it ’s also a smart idea to order a kick tray or two down near your dwelling ’s entry , as they ’re sluttish to rinse off . If you have a mudroomor use an attached service department , conceive boot skid and boot off before walking further into the star sign .
Having anorganized system for horseshoe storageany metre of the year helps assure everyone set theirs away , but it ’s essential in the winter . Another expert drug abuse to develop is regularlycleaning shoes — peculiarly snow boots andwell - endure UGGs — to keep them look decent and prevent salt from amass .
If you think apply a protective sealer on floor can forbid common salt stains , call back again . “ Sealing can work for something like grout , but it ’s better to foreclose [ common salt ] from ever touching the floor , ” Pleshak say .
