Winter cleaning tips

Keeping your home clean and maintained during the winter season can be a challenging task.  Wet snow,  seemingly endless amounts of salt, spending a lot more time inside, and closed windows can make a home feel stuffy and overrun. With the right cleaning and maintenance techniques, you can keep your home looking great throughout these tough months. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with some essential tips on how to maintain and clean your house this Winter.

Regular floor maintenance is the foundation of having a happy and healthy home. A good, thorough cleaning can feel like an insurmountable task, especially when your house has a variety of rooms and flooring that requires its own type of cleaning.
The trick to this project is taking on a section at a time and implementing a system of protective measures to prevent mess. Once armed with a prepared plan, a weekly clean will feel less impossible. 

In general, it is always best to:

1. Sweep

2. Vacuum

3. Mop

This process is best at removing any dirt, salt, and dust that has been collected on nearly every floor type. It is especially important to sweep up any rock salt that enters the home as it can get kicked around, scratch flooring, and irritate pets. 

Cleaning Hardwood Flooring

When cleaning hardwood, avoid using scrubbing pads, hard bristles, or harsh chemical cleaners.

Did you know most manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on household products? Yes, that’s scary.

A good rule is to repeat this sweep, vacuum, and mop routine weekly - sweeping daily if possible, especially if you have high foot traffic and pets. When it comes to mopping, a little bit goes a long way. Using distilled, hot water with a splash of vinegar and a microfiber spin mop does wonders. 

DEEP CLEAN TIP: If you have the time and energy, using a microfiber cloth by hand is a great way to deep clean hardwood floors. Above All Flooring sells a specially formulated organic citrus-based cleaning concentrate aptly named, Wood Kleen. This magically stuff cleans floors, cabinets, wood, and more with no harsh chemicals or fragrances. 


Learn more about Wood Kleen here
 >>

If you are in the market for a new mop, we recommend the O-Cedar Microfiber Spin Mop and bucket. It’s fabulous


Cleaning Tile Flooring


Cleaning tile floors is a much simpler process.
Sweep, vacuum, and use a clean cloth to spot clean any spills or stains. A bath mat is a great way to collect water and dirt so it doesn’t track throughout your home. Avoid using a sponge or mop as it can push dirty water into your grout and cause discoloration.

DEEP CLEAN TIP: If you have the time and energy, a steam cleaner is a great way to deep-clean grout, hardware, and bathroom nooks.
 The Bissell Steam Shot is awesome, but beware: it’s addicting.


The best way to clean carpet


Carpets should be vacuumed at least twice a week.
Professional cleaning is recommended *every 18 months to deep clean fibers that harbor bacteria and dirt. A spot cleaner is a great way to get problem spots but be sure to use specially formulated products. Using stain-removing laundry products on carpet leaves behind too much residue and can actually attract dirt. The best way to keep carpets clean is to leave at much dirt at the front door as possible. See our preventative tips below. 

*Check your carpet manufacturer's manual for specific cleaning instructions


How to clean laminate floors


Laminate floor should be cleaned carefully. Avoid using harsh products (especially bleach) and too much water; excess water will warp the material over time. The best way to clean a laminate floor is a dry dust mop and spot clean as needed. 

DEEP CLEAN TIP: A dry dust mop, like Libman's Microfiber Dust Mop, is a super effective way of picking up those pesky pet hairs. 


Winter cleaning tips for maintaining your flooring


Winterize your entryway.
Leave a chair, boot mat, and/or towel by the doorway to make removing shoes easier. A boot scraper is another way to get dirt and debris off before entering. 

Using multiple door mats is the best way to stop dirt, salt, and snow from coming inside
. Placing an absorbent microfiber mat in entryways can help collect all the unwanted stuff from spreading, and are machine washable! 

Take care of your HVAC.
It is important to change your air filters every winter. Don't believe us? Take a look at them. Your home HVAC system serves as a catch-all for dust, bacteria, pet dander, and other allergens hiding in your indoor air. Regular maintenance and professional air duct cleaning keep your machine functioning at peak performance and can save you a ton of money on your energy bills. 

DID YOU KNOW THE AVERAGE HOME COLLECTS 40 LBS OF DUST PER YEAR?
Professional air duct cleaning is recommended every 3-5 years.
 

Above All Flooring now offers professional air duct and dryer vent cleaning. Request an estimate here!


Deep clean your fridge.
At least once a year, pull your fridge away from the wall and clean it! The walls, the floor, and especially the refrigerator coils. Dirty coils affect your energy efficiency and damage your appliance. Dust, grime, and hair build up over time and remains until properly cleaned. 


Clean and grease your kitchen.
The kitchen is easily the messiest and most overwhelming place to clean. Cooking creates a sticky mess that traps build-up. Wiping down services and degreasing your oven clears the air - literally. 

Dust the tops of doors, cabinets, trim, baseboards, and artwork.
You would be surprised how much dirt and dust collect in these forgotten areas. Wiping with warm water and a dash of soap will make a big difference in the amount of dust in your home. 

You can also use the O-Cedar Microfiber Mop as a trim and baseboard cleaner.  The handle is extendable! 
Use a lightly damp, clean mop head with a mix of warm water and a dash of dish soap to gently wipe dust away. Be extra careful to not use too much water or force and damage the paint.

Always spot-test an area to make sure this is the right technique for your home. 


If your floors do get damaged, Above All Flooring offers a number of services to bring them back to life. We offer free estimates on all our services and would be happy to advise on a solution.  Contact us here >>