Effective Strategies for Keeping Milwaukee Office Floors Clean from Winter Salt and Snow

Olga Kaminski
Dec 1
3 min read

Winter in Milwaukee brings heavy snow and the constant use of salt on roads and sidewalks. While these measures keep streets safe, they create a challenge for office buildings: dirty, wet floors that can damage surfaces and create slip hazards. Offices need practical and effective ways to keep floors clean and safe during the snowy months. This post explores proven strategies Milwaukee offices use to manage salt and snow indoors, protecting floors and maintaining a welcoming environment.

Effective Strategies for Keeping Milwaukee Office Floors Clean from Winter Salt and Snow — Heavy-duty floor mats and wet floor signs at office entrance

Use of Heavy-Duty Entrance Mats

One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce salt and snow tracked inside is by installing heavy-duty entrance mats. These mats trap moisture, snow, and salt from shoes before people walk further into the building. Milwaukee offices often use mats made from durable materials like rubber or polypropylene with textured surfaces that scrape off debris.

Key points about entrance mats:

Place mats both outside and inside main entrances to catch as much moisture as possible.
Use mats that cover a large area to encourage people to wipe their feet thoroughly.
Regularly clean and replace mats to maintain effectiveness.

For example, a Milwaukee law firm reported a 40% reduction in floor cleaning time after installing layered mats at all entrances. This simple step prevents much of the salt and snow from reaching sensitive flooring.

Frequent Cleaning and Maintenance Routines

Even with mats, some salt and snow will make it inside. Offices need a cleaning routine tailored for winter conditions. This includes:

Daily wet mopping of entryways and high-traffic areas to remove salt residue.
Using neutral pH cleaners that do not damage floor finishes.
Spot cleaning spills and wet patches immediately to prevent slip hazards.
Scheduling extra cleaning shifts during heavy snow periods.

Milwaukee office buildings often contract janitorial services familiar with winter challenges. These teams use microfiber mops and industrial wet vacuums to quickly remove moisture and salt deposits. One downtown Milwaukee office building increased cleaning frequency from once to twice daily during winter, which significantly reduced floor damage and slip incidents.

Installing Boot Scrapers and Snow Removal Stations

Some offices go beyond mats by installing boot scrapers or snow removal stations near entrances. These allow employees and visitors to remove snow and ice from boots before entering. Boot scrapers are metal or plastic devices with stiff bristles or ridges that scrape off packed snow.

Benefits include:

Reducing the amount of snow tracked indoors.
Encouraging people to clean boots before stepping on mats.
Lowering the risk of wet floors and salt stains.

A Milwaukee tech company installed boot scrapers at all entrances and noticed fewer wet floor signs were needed during winter months. This small investment improved safety and cleanliness.

Floor Coatings and Protective Treatments

Some offices apply protective coatings to floors to resist salt damage and make cleaning easier. These coatings form a barrier that prevents salt from penetrating and staining surfaces like hardwood, tile, or vinyl.

Common options include:

Sealants for stone and tile floors.
Polyurethane coatings for wood floors.
Anti-slip treatments that also protect against moisture.

Protective treatments extend the life of flooring and reduce maintenance costs. Milwaukee property managers often schedule these applications before winter begins to prepare floors for harsh conditions.

Educating Employees and Visitors

Keeping floors clean is a shared responsibility. Offices that educate employees and visitors about winter floor care see better results. This can include:

Posting signs reminding people to wipe their feet.
Encouraging the use of indoor shoes or slippers.
Providing shoe covers or boot trays near entrances.
Training cleaning staff on winter-specific procedures.

A Milwaukee nonprofit organization held a winter safety briefing for staff and placed clear signage at entrances. This led to more careful foot traffic and fewer wet floor incidents.

Using Wet Floor Signs and Safety Measures

Despite all precautions, wet floors are inevitable during snowy days. Offices must use clear safety measures to prevent slips and falls. Wet floor signs placed near entrances and hallways alert people to be cautious.

Additional safety tips: