Every Minnesota winter, salt and ice melt get tracked into lobbies, hallways and offices by the bucketful. That white residue is more than an eyesore. Left alone, it can dull finishes, stain carpet and shorten the life of your flooring. The good news is that a little planning goes a long way.
Most ice melt products leave behind a residue that is alkaline and abrasive. On hard floors, the grit acts like sandpaper on the finish, and the residue can leave a hazy film. On carpet, it dries into white stains and can make fibers stiff and brittle. Over time, it can even attract more dirt, because the residue is sticky when wet.
The best way to protect your floors is to stop salt before it gets inside. Keep sidewalks and entries clear, and encourage your snow removal provider to avoid over-applying ice melt near doors.
Quality entrance matting is the single most effective tool against winter damage.
Mats only work when they are maintained. Vacuum them frequently and swap them out when they become saturated.
The longer residue sits, the harder it is to remove. During winter, entrances should be dust mopped and damp mopped daily, ideally with a neutralizing floor cleaner designed to break down ice melt residue. Regular all-purpose cleaners often just move the film around.
Vacuum entry carpet daily during the winter months, and treat white salt stains before they set. A mid-winter or early spring hot-water carpet extraction flushes out embedded salt and restores traffic lanes.
A fresh coat of floor finish before winter gives tile and VCT a protective layer. Then plan a scrub and recoat, or a full strip and wax, in spring to remove the season's damage. Our floor care services can schedule both so your floors stay protected year-round.
High-traffic buildings often benefit from a day porter who can mop entrances and swap mats throughout the day, keeping floors safe and presentable between nightly cleanings.
Legacy Cleaning helps facilities across the Twin Cities, Mankato and St. Cloud protect their floors through Minnesota winters. Request a free walkthrough and we'll recommend a winter floor care plan for your building.