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If you experience
a lot of snowfall during the winter in your area, you know the struggle of
dealing with rock salt in your house. Even though it is helpful on roads and
sidewalks, it can cause unsightly stains and residue on the floors in your
home. If this issue sounds all too familiar, continue reading to learn the best
ways to get a handle on the salt mess!
Start by
taking preventative measures to keep the salt from coming in contact with your
floors in the first place. Place a coarse mat outside the front door and
another mat on the inside of the door as well. This will catch a lot of the
salt from people’s shoes. A rubber shoe mat can also be helpful to keep
people’s shoes on, keeping them off the floor. And don’t be shy about asking
people to take their shoes off when they come in!
Some salt residue
is unavoidable this time of year. Here’s what to do to best clean it up on a
variety of flooring types.
Carpet Floors
Start by
vacuuming up the larger and more obvious debris.
Mix an even
amount of white vinegar with hot water, and then pour the mixture into a spray
bottle. Spray the impacted area with the mixture and let it sit for approximately
five minutes. Dab area with a paper towel and allow it to air dry.
Vacuum the
area once more when the area is dry.
Tile/Linoleum Floors
Sweep the
larger bits up with a broom.
Mix about a
½ cup of white vinegar with a gallon of hot water. Use this mixture to mop up
the affected area.
Let the area
air-dry. The vinegar smell (for any floor surface) will eventually dissipate on
its own, but the process can be sped up with a fan or by letting in some fresh
air.
Hardwood
Sweep the
larger bits up with a broom.
For wood, a
ratio of about 1 cup of white vinegar to every 3 gallons of warm water should
be used. Note that this is much more diluted than with other floor types. As an
alternative, some cleaning solutions that are specifically designed for hardwood floors can be used. Hardwood floors are more sensitive, and you
should always check what can and cannot be used on your particular floor, based
on the sealant type. You should not use any solutions on an unsealed floor.
Use a
microfiber mop and your solution to wipe the floor. As with the others, allow
it to air dry.
Now you
should have a salt-free floor! That is, until the next person comes into the
house. But at least you have a way to get rid of those unsightly salt marks
until spring finally comes around.
Thank you for reading! Visit the rest of our blog to see weekly posts for more information and
tips for your household appliances!
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