This post is sponsored by Bona but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Spring is springing here in Texas. Pollen is in the air, the temperatures are slowly rising and the rain is coming down! Which has created an ample supply of mud for my 6 children and 3 dogs to track in and all over my floors. Which is not cool since I have been Spring Cleaning my house and there is nothing worse than seeing your fresh, sparkling floors with muddy footprints.
To avoid those muddy footprints all over my home I have created a few rules for my children and found a few helpful tips to keep the mud to a bare minimum.
I can’t just ban the dogs and children from going outside when it’s raining or just rained. Obviously, the dogs need to go outside to do their “business” and my children cooped up in the house drive everyone insane. There is something about being outdoors that makes my children less ridiculous!
We have created some Rules for the kids when coming inside from playing outdoors.
Wipe your feet. I know. It seems obvious. But they are kids. Common sense sometimes does have to be taught! Hahaha
Drop your shoes at the door. We set up shoe bins right at the back door so they can take their shoes off immediately to keep mud contained to just at our entry.
Don’t come in until you are done playing. There is no running in and out of the house when you are playing outside. I put out a pitcher of water or tea and some cups for them on the patio table and a bowl of snacks for them to help themselves to while playing outside. This keeps them from coming in and out of the house for drinks and snacks every 5 minutes.
Tips for keeping the mud off your floors.
Lay down an old towel by the door to wipe the dogs feet. I stop the dogs at the door and give their feet a wipe down when they come in.
Mop up the mud as soon as you see it. The Bona Premium Spray Mop makes mopping up muddy footprints so easy and fast! It is a high quality spray mop that holds a convenient cartridge of cleaner and uses a removable Microfiber Cleaning Pad. Just pull the trigger to release a fine mist on the floors and quickly & easily clean your hardwood floors! Best part is the microfiber cleaning pad is washable. I purchased a few extra pads so always have a clean one ready for those footprints that are inevitable this time of year.
Teach the kids to help clean up the mud. My girls love to help mop! They would mop all day with the Bona Spray Mop if I let them. They beg me to let them mop whenever they see me bring it out. Taking the time to teach my children to see the mess and how to clean it up has been worth every minute. While they may not do as good of a job as I would, their help keeps the messes to a minimum!
Have fun indoor activities ready for a rainy day. On the days where it is raining or it’s just extremely muddy, I keep special games and activities on hand to keep the kids busy. They are really into card games right now.
I also do bribe them to help clean up the mud from the dogs and I will let them beat me in a card game. They are so happy when they win! (Although I will tell you Jordan was cheating in the particular game!)
Jeanette says
I am definitely struggling with keeping dirt off my floor the spring. I might need to try this mop and see if it works better than the one I have already.
Brianne Tursi Manz says
The kids used to come and go from inside to outside, and I finally put an end to that! Barring having to go the the bathroom, if they come in, they’re not going back out. We can all use as many tips as we can to keep our floors mud-free as possible., and the Bona mop system sounds great!
Claudia Krusch says
I love Bona! We’ve had that for years! It does such a great job!
Sherry says
I need this in my life. I love that the cartridge is refillable. Our dog is currently tracking muddy pawprints through my kitchen.
Catalina says
Oh, I have the same problem during the spring. I love spring, but I don’t like the mud! Thanks for these great ideas!
Ruth I says
It was always nice to have kids involved to what you do. This is a pretty good tool to try. I bet it will make cleaning easier.
krystal says
We have a Bona mop and LOVE it. So easy to quickly clean.
Tess says
I love, love, love Bona products. I want that now!
Jennifer says
I love BONA and it is the only brand I use on my hardwood floors. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Elizabeth L says
The The Bona Premium Spray Mop looks perfect for our hardwood floors, thanks for the great tips and recommendation!
Sarah says
I’m going to have to try the bona, I hate getting my floors dirty. I love that it looks like this is super easy and effective to use.
Celebrate Woman Today says
Tell me about MUD! I like my floors being neat and clean. These little tools can really support my wish for clean floors.