Five simple tricks to fight the mud in your house this wet February
This time of year, your madhouse has probably become a house of clay.
With wet shoes bringing in dirt from puddles, paths and sports fields, it feels like a constant battle to keep everything clean.
But don't despair.
Start the battle with these simple steps that will quickly reveal muddy footprints on the back door. . .
FIND YOUR PERFECT MAT: Laying mats inside your doors is an essential defense against dirt and mud.
Choose clothing that is durable, moisture-absorbing and machine washable.
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Dunelm have a decent range of washable doormats, from £12.
SHOE FEEL: Instead of throwing wet, dirty shoes on the floor, place a washable tray near the door for them to stand on.
Lakeland has a special shoe-and-shoe drawer, down from £13 to £9.99, that fits three pairs.
For an even cheaper option, Ikea has a Bagg Dirty Shoe Mat, for £3, which you can use alone or place under a shoe rack.
Even a piece of PVC tablecloth keeps the mud off the floor and can be easily wiped clean.
TOP OF THE MOPS: To keep hard floors under control, a mop is a must-have.
For quick cleanups on small areas like a hallway, a bucketless spray mop is your friend.
The Vileda 1-2 Spray Mop, from around £18, is easy to use and you can simply throw the dirty mop pad straight into the washing machine.
SOFT DOES IT: If mud gets on the carpet, don't go in right away with a rag.
Instead, wait until it's dry before brushing or vacuuming, then wipe away the residue with water and a clean cloth.
Do not rub the dirt as this can damage the carpet fibers, but rinse and blot until the stains are gone.
CLEAN DREAM: Teaching children to clean up their own dirty sneakers is every parent's dream.
But wait until the mud is completely dry and then use a brush, such as Ikea's Pepprig two-in-one shoe brush – currently £1, down from £1.50 – to get the worst of the dried mud off.
Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water and then use the brush to apply it to the soles of the shoes.
Wipe clean and let dry.
- All prices on the page are correct at the time of going to press. Offers and offers subject to availability.
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