Rainy weather is not just depressing; it also makes it harder to keep your home clean with all that wetness and mud. In this blog, we will share our professional cleaning tips on how to avoid tracking in dirt and mud when it rains.
Use a Floor Protector to Avoid the Need for Mud Removal
Logically, you only need mud removal in your home if there’s mud. Therefore, the first step is to avoid tracking mud into the home in the first place. Floor protectors can include a welcome mat to wipe your feet outside, an area rug in the hall to help contain drips, or both.
Look for a doormat that is super-absorbent, and choose an indoor-outdoor area rug in your entry hall to handle the dampness and dirt. Indoor-outdoor area rugs come in stylish options, so there’s no need to use one of those commercial-looking rubber-trimmed striped fiascos!
Add Hooks in the Entry for Wet Coats
Install some hooks above the area rug where you can hang wet coats. The further you go into your home with a dripping wet coat, the more chance there is you’re going to make a mess. Hooks are small and convenient, even when space is limited and they work perfectly with the area rug, which helps contain the drips.
Have a Dirty Shoe Station to Reduce Inclement Weather Cleaning
Even with your proactive doormat and area rug, you’ll still want somewhere to put muddy shoes and boots. A shoe station can be as simple as a boot tray or something more fashionable, like a shoe shelf with cubbyholes. The latter allows you to keep things more organized. Be sure to clean boot trays after a bout of soggy weather to remove crusted-on mud that can get carried into the home.
Invest in an Umbrella Stand
Carrying dripping wet umbrellas into the house adds to the mess. Investing in a snazzy little umbrella stand provides a container to catch the drips while adding a fun little decorative touch to your entry.
Don’t Act Fast for Mud Removal
While a quick swipe with a dry flat mop will take care of rainy drips, mud tends to be easier to deal with when it’s dry. Although staring down at wet muddy footprints will trigger your neatness response, you’ll have an easier time by letting it dry. Mud will be a challenge to clean when it’s wet, as you will simply keep spreading it around. Dry mud, on the other hand, is basically dirt you can sweep or vacuum.
It’s Not Just Mud Removal—Look for Mould
Mould growth is an unexpected result of long stretches of rainy weather. Mould loves the wetness and tends to find places to grow that you likely won’t find until you smell it. Mould growth just needs a few days of dampness to create the perfect environment. A good example is your area rug or welcome mat.
Mould loves darkness just as much as it loves moisture, so these areas are prime spots for growth. Give your area rug and entry a good check during rainy periods to look for signs of discolouration that might indicate mould. Look under your area rug, check around boot trays, and give raincoats and fabric bags a sniff test.
Vinegar is an excellent mould killer, especially when the mould is just appearing or is on solid surfaces like walls and floors. Spray the mould and surrounding areas, and then wipe them clean.
For soft surfaces like rugs or raincoats, spritz them with vinegar diluted with water and let it absorb. Then, blot the spot to remove excess moisture, and hang the item to allow air circulation to dry it completely. If that doesn’t work, try a dry cleaner that specializes in small rug cleaning, or simply throw the rug away.
Clean Pet Paws and Coats for Mud Removal
Rainy weather is the worst if you have a four-legged companion. Dogs are like postal workers; they head out on their daily walks regardless of the weather. You can help reduce the mess by keeping dog wipes and a dry towel at your front door. Wipe down their paws and give their coat a nice cozy rub to keep the mess to a minimum. It doesn’t hurt to wash their leash to reduce musty, doggie odours after a bout of wet weather.
Mud Removal for Carpets and Upholstery
Even with all these precautions in place, you might still have a mud disaster on your hands. Mud on carpets and upholstery might look awful, but our advice to let the mud dry still stands. Once the mud is dry, you can brush or vacuum away the loose dirt and then assess the damage below.
In some cases, you might get lucky and not see much of a stain. However, if you do see dirt, you can start by pre-treating the stain using liquid laundry detergent or dish soap mixed with water. Blot it up with a clean dry cloth, and if necessary, scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush to loosen ground-in dirt.
You can then rinse the stain with clean, cold water to remove the dirt and soap residue. Sometimes, mud can stink. If this is the case, you can apply baking soda to the spot and let it sit for a few hours. It should help absorb moisture and the offending odours, and you can then vacuum it up.
Deep Cleans for Thorough Bad Weather Cleaning
As the damp weather drags on, it might make sense to hire professional cleaners to come in and perform a deep cleaning. Maid4Condos addresses the areas impacted the most, such as the entry, but also takes care of the entire home. Our deep cleaning services remove dirt, dust, stains, and grime and eliminate mould and mildew that can create that lingering, damp, and musty smell.
Deep cleaning will also create a fresh, clean environment that sparkles. Best of all, deep cleaning eliminates irritants that impact air quality, such as mould spores, bacteria, and allergens. Your home will be restored, and you’ll all be breathing easier.
Maid4Condos’ deep cleaning service is a match made in heaven for damp, dreary weather. We can take care of dirt and mud removal and improve the overall air quality of your home. For more information, call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.
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