Winter weather can wreak havoc on the carpets in your building, causing damage, increasing labour, and posing a potential tripping hazard. Creating a plan to maintain your carpets through the winter season will have them lasting longer, looking their best, and leaving a good impression on everyone who visits.

As you plan your winter carpet maintenance strategy, there are a few factors to take into consideration to make the most of your time and budget:

• Keep your front entrance and outdoor walkways clean and clear wherever you can to minimize the amount of dirt that comes through your front door.
• Install matting to minimize the moisture right at the front door and keep the dry soil, salt, and dirt from travelling through the building on all your carpeting. The same approach can be applied to other entrances and exits, as well as bay doors that see a lot of traffic.
• Consider stocking two sets of mats so that you can switch them out as needed.
• Vacuuming daily can help also extract dry dirt from the carpet, making it easier to stay on top of the cleaning process, as well as removing allergens from carpet fibres, and freshening up the look of your carpet.
• Make sure you are using the correct products for your carpet, reading dilution and usage instructions carefully.
• Prioritize drying. Ineffective drying means that your carpets could grow mould or mildew in spot-cleaned areas.
• Address spot treatment as necessary. Take immediate action to clean up spills and remove stains to try and mitigate absorption into the carpet.
• Deep clean carpets every six months to avoid permanent damage to your carpets and lengthen their lifespan. Doing this too frequently can damage the carpet fibres, so stick to a twice-annual schedule.

Winter weather brings dirt, moisture and salt, all of which can destroy commercial carpeting. Include your carpets in your winter maintenance and cleaning strategy to protect your carpets, keep dirt out of your building, and leave a lasting impression with guests.