They say that when you’re on a diet, one of the hardest things is that you still have to eat. With willpower, God’s grace and luck, you can give up things like cigarettes, gambling, liquor, but you can’t give up food. The same type of thing applies to your floors. You can get them so clean that you could eat spaghetti and meatballs off of them, but then you have to walk on them again… and… well…you get the dilemma. But there are some easy tips for cleaner floors. And with all the snow and ice we’ve had in this part of the country lately, you’ll be even happier if you try some of them.
Easy Tip for Cleaner Floors: Go Shoeless Inside
In places like Finland, Sweden, Afghanistan and Pakistan, it is common to take your shoes before entering someone’s home. Additionally, in some American cultures, people go shoeless inside. A lot of the U.S., however, has yet to adopt this tradition. In the Nordics, they remove shoes to limit ice and snow (and then, or course, water) . In many other places, no shoes keeps out the sand, soil and other debris and preserves their beautiful carpets.
These shoeless places know something and we can learn from it. You can adapt this habit as your own. Create a shoe-drop area inside your entryway with a boot tray. You will have much cleaner floors as a result. If you think your guests might think this an odd request, you can always provide a small stash of (indoor only) slippers that they can wear to replace their shoes whilst in your home. Go shoeless for a week, as a test, you’ll thank me for it.
Get a “Muck Mat.” It’s An Easy Tip For Cleaner Floors
Between snow and ice and gardening a lot of muck comes into our house. So for years we’ve used what I like to call a “muck mat.” It’s a textured, waterproof, area rug that is meant for doorways. These rugs come in a variety of colors and sizes and their job is to catch the mess. We have found, since getting a few of these little beauties, that our floors stay cleaner a lot longer. And a wonderful side-benefit is that you can hose them off in the yard when they get nasty.
Insider Tip: Stores like Consignments Ltd. are a great resource for area rugs, including, sometimes, muck mats. And rugs at thrift and consignment are definitely a best buy. Check out other consignment best buys in my previous blog: Consignment Shop Best Buys.
Have Your Pets Groomed Regularly
Dogs and cats are some of the best stuff of life, but they definitely do a number on your floors. Hair and fur, plus everything your pet brings in on their feet contribute to your floor mess. To limit this pet mess, you can take your pet to a groomer or check out your local pet supply store for a great place to bathe your pet yourself, inexpensively. This has the added benefit of leaving the mess at the store. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much cleaner your floors are when your pet is cleaner and the real bonus: they smell better too! LOL
Vacuum Once a Week or Consider a Robotic Vacuum – Easy Tip For Cleaner Floors
If you love to vacuum, vacuuming at least once a week is not a hardship – in fact, it’s a joy. For the rest of us mere humans, it may seem like drudgery. Love it or hate it, regular vacuuming is definitely the easiest and most basic way to keep up with the floors. Have a crazy-busy schedule, love tech or just want an easier way to check this one off your to-do list, then consider a robotic vacuum. You can set them up to work with Alexa or other virtual assistants or your can use them via a remote.
We have a robotic vacuum and we love what we affectionately call “Robo Cop.” I am always amazed at the amount of stuff that he picks up, even with all of of the vacuuming we do. We run Robo Cop at least once a week when we go to bed and wake up to cleaner floors – which, of course, then we are forced to walk on again. Oh well, it’s sweet while it lasts…
Have a lovely day, my friends. Marianne
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