Here in San Diego, we usually have it pretty good. However, during the winter seasons we tend to experience some weather here and there. This is usually one of the few times a year that San Diego experiences rainfall, and with that infrequency brings new challenges for keeping that weather outdoors. When it rains, the dirt and dust that have been sitting still all year tend to get moved around, and can make sidewalks and roads more dirty than before. This dirt can stick to your shoes and soon find its way inside your house, which is why we’ve compiled a list of ways to help keep your home and your carpets cleaner throughout the winter season.
Take Off Your Shoes
Upon entering the house, a great way to ensure that extra soil doesn’t follow you around your home is by removing your shoes when you enter. Leaving shoes at the doorway will centralize the soil to a single area, making it easier to clean, and preventing soil from getting to other areas of the home. Using a shoe rack or basket can make this area more organized and easier to clean.
Use Mats
Mats are a great way to clean grimy shoes of dirt prior to entering the home. When it comes to mats, the more the better. A mat outside the door will help get the larger pieces of soil off, and a mat inside the door will further brush off smaller pieces. When it comes to your carpets, wiping your feet twice is better than once. It is also wise to have a mat near where you place your shoes, that way you have something to stand of as your remove your shoes before continuing into the rest of the house. Once your shoes are cleaned and removed, it is usually fitting to have a longer mat or rug to welcome you into the rest of the home. If there are any pieces of soil left on your clothes or socks, this final mat will help catch some of those pieces.
Clear Your Entrances
The area outside the entrance to your home is a crucial spot to start. If this area is unkempt and dirty, more soil and grime will easily find its way into your home, and onto your carpets. By keeping this area clear, it is easier to minimize the amount of dirt that might be dragged in by your shoes and clothes. It also creates a more pleasant and inviting entrance into your home.
Mind Your Pets
San Diego is a very dog friendly city, so it is important to keep in mind your four-legged friend when thinking about carpet care. After coming home from a walk, the dog park, or wherever else you’ve been, dogs can tend to run throughout the home upon arrival (typically ignoring the “Wipe Your Paws” doormat). While it is up to you to figure out how to most effectively clean your dogs feet when entering the home, a suggestion can be to put up a gate near the entryway that keeps them in a single spot or on a mat until their feet can be wiped off. You know your dog best, so do whatever you think will work best for him or her.
Vacuum Like It’s Your Favorite Thing To Do
Yes, we know. Vacuuming can seem like a chore. But in reality, this is going to be one of the best ways to preserve your carpets and keep the inside of your home clean and tidy. During the winter months where there is more weather, vacuuming becomes more crucial. You may need to vacuum slightly more often than usual during these months to ensure the health of your carpets. When it comes to weather that involves liquid (i.e. rain and snow), it is important to clean soil and messes right away. Soil combined with water can stain and ruin carpets, so it is important to treat it right away with some spot cleaning. However, vacuuming isn’t all bad. You can put on your favorite tunes and pretend you are ballroom dancing throughout your home as you slide your vacuum across your carpets. On top of that, keep in mind how soft your carpets always feel after you’ve vacuumed. Do your feet a favor and enjoy walking on the freshly-vacuumed, soft, cushy carpets in your home.
The great thing about living in San Diego is that this type of weather (or any weather really…) does not last forever. In fact, it is usually gone within a day or so. Before you know it, spring will be here. Then we get to enjoy all the wonders and loveliness that May grey and June gloom have to offer…
But really, when it comes to the carpets in your home, you know it is best to take good care of them and keep them looking, feeling, and smelling great. One of the best ways to ensure your carpets stay in the best shape possible is to get them professionally cleaned every 4-6 months. Here at Clean Earth Restorations, we pride ourselves on providing the best expertise when it comes to professional carpet cleaning. To schedule a carpet cleaning before your next big holiday party, give us a call at 619-284-4239 or contact us at cleanearthrestorations.com.
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