Winter in Kanata can be tough on entrance mats and winter matting. Between snow, slush, salt, grit, and constant traffic, your mats accumulate a lot of wear and tear. Professional cleanings are essential—but you can get much more lifespan and performance if you follow some maintenance best practices. Here’s what you (as a homeowner or manager in Kanata) can do between pro cleanings, and when you should call in the experts.
Why Ongoing Mat Maintenance Matters
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Dirty winter mats lose their ability to trap moisture, salt, and debris. Once that happens, more water and grit get inside your home, damaging flooring, increasing slip risks, and making cleaning harder.
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Salt, in particular, is corrosive. It damages rubber backing, causes fabric mat fibres to degrade, and can leave stains.
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Proper maintenance between cleanings helps reduce how often you need heavy professional cleanings, saving time & money.
Tips for Homeowners & Managers: What You Can Do Between Professional Cleanings
These are simple steps you or your staff can do regularly (daily, weekly) to keep slush & winter matting in good shape:
| Frequency | Task | Why It Helps / How To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Daily (or after heavy use) | Shake or sweep outside mats | To remove large debris before it gets soaked or carried inside. If you have scraper mats outdoors, hit them with a broom or shake out any removable ones. |
| Vacuum / sweep indoor mats | Dirt and small particles can embed in the fibres; regular vacuuming stops buildup. Use a vacuum with a beater brush if appropriate, or handheld vacuum for edges. | |
| Spot clean spills and salt stains | Salt leaves white rings; treat immediately with damp cloth + mild detergent. Blot—don’t rub—to avoid pushing stain deeper. | |
| Weekly or after storms | Hose down or rinse outdoor mats, if possible | Removes salt/slush before it can migrate inside or damage the backing. Let mats dry fully. |
| Flip or rotate mats | If you have two or more mats, rotating which mat takes the wear helps give them time to dry fully and prevents one from deteriorating too fast. | |
| Use scraper mats and absorbent indoor mats in combination | Place rough scraper mats outside to catch big chunks of snow/slush, and softer absorbent mats just inside to catch moisture. This double layer prevents too much wet on indoor flooring. | |
| As needed | Neutralize salt & ice-melt residue | Use a salt neutralizer or mild vinegar/water mix to remove white crusts on mats. Follow with rinsing and drying. |
| Inspect mat edges, backing, condition | Look for curled corners, ripped edges, weakened backing. These are signs that the mat is getting old or damaged and may need replacement sooner. |
When to Book Professional Cleaning
Even with the best maintenance, professional cleaning is essential. Here are signals and schedules that suggest it’s time to bring in a pro like CleanIt.ca.
| Indicator / Situation | How Soon to Book |
|---|---|
| After a major snowstorm or when there’s persistent slush and salt for many days | As soon as weather allows (within a few days ideally). Salt damage builds up quickly. |
| Visible salt crusts, stains, odours that don’t come out with spot cleaning or vacuuming | Don’t wait—these signs suggest buildup deep in the fibres/backing. Professional cleaning can restore appearance & functionality. |
| Mat feels saturated, doesn’t dry thoroughly, or retains moisture long after drying | Moisture trapped in mats causes mildew and smell, weakens backing. Deep cleaning + drying needed. |
| Edges lifting, backing slipping or degrading, rubber parts cracking | These are structural issues. Even heavy cleaning won’t fix damage; you may need a replacement or specialized repair. |
| High traffic entrances in Kanata (storefronts, business entrances, frequently used exterior doors) | Schedule a professional deep clean every 1-2 weeks during peak winter (heavy snow/slush) and every 3-4 weeks off-peak. |
| Moderate traffic/home entrances | Every 2-4 weeks in winter, every 1-2 months off season. |
Example Maintenance Plan for a Kanata Home / Business
Here’s a sample schedule to help you plan. You can adapt based on how exposed the entrance is, how many people pass through, etc.
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Mondays / after heavy snow: Sweep outdoor mats, vacuum indoor mats.
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Wednesdays: Spot clean any visible stains; neutralize salt residue.
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Fridays: Hose or rinse outdoor mats (if safe and practical). Let them dry completely. Rotate mats if possible.
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Every 3-4 weeks (when winter is mild) / every 1-2 weeks (during slush & snow season): Schedule CleanIt.ca to come in and do a full mat cleaning—deep clean, drying, sanitizing, inspect for damage.
Tools & Products That Make a Difference
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High quality vacuums with strong suction & beater brush or thick brush heads.
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Soft-bristle scrubbing brushes, gentle detergents suitable for fabric & rubber. Avoid harsh chemicals that degrade backing or colour.
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Drying equipment or airflow: After wet weather or rinsing, mats must dry well. Outside mats should be raised so air circulates underneath; indoor mats put somewhere with airflow.
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Salt neutralizing cleaners or sprays: Helps reduce salt stains and buildup.
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Extra mats if possible: having swap-ins lets one mat dry or be cleaned while the other is in use.
Summary: Why This Matters & How CleanIt.ca Helps
Maintaining your slush and winter matting properly between professional cleanings does more than just keep things looking clean, it improves safety, protects your flooring, reduces long-term costs, and keeps your entrance welcoming. But even the best maintenance has limits.
CleanIt.ca offers professional cleaning services in Kanata (and nearby) to handle what your regular routine can’t: deep salt removal, sanitizing, restoring mats, ensuring backing and edges are in good shape. We can also help you set up a maintenance schedule tailored to your specific mat types, usage, and the harshness of winter.
If you’d like a free consultation or quote for cleaning your entrance/winter mats, just reach out. We’ll help make your entrance clean and safe all winter long.