Catching dirt at the door
Soak up entrance water promptly, remove grit gently and keep mats dry. Protect your apartment hallway through rain and snow.
Most dirt comes into the apartment on shoes. A good doormat directly outside or inside the door catches a lot of it. A combination of a coarse mat for grit and slush and an absorbent mat for moisture works well, if there is enough space.
In your building's stairwell there are often rules about what may stand outside the apartment door. Check this with the property management or the house rules before placing a mat or shoe rack outside. Inside you have more freedom.
A place for wet shoes and umbrellas
Set up a zone for wet things right by the entrance. A shoe rack with a tray or a simple plastic tray catches drips and slush. Wet shoes stay there until dry instead of leaving tracks through the apartment.
For umbrellas, an umbrella stand with a drip tray works well. Only leave umbrellas open to dry where they do not get in anyone's way. Empty trays regularly so standing water does not smell.
Position the mat and shoe tray with the door and walkway clear. Use flat non-slip backing and fix raised edges.
- Shoe tray by the entrance
- Umbrella stand with tray
- Empty trays regularly
- Slippers within reach
Keep floors dry and avoid falls
Wet tiles and parquet in the hallway can become slippery. Wipe up water and slush quickly with an absorbent cloth. Use non-slip underlays under runners so nothing slides. Dry floors are especially important in the dark or when your hands are full of shopping.
On wooden floors, standing moisture also damages the material. Do not leave wet shoes directly on parquet, and mop only with a barely damp cloth according to the care instructions for your floor.
Further reading
Rain, snow, salt and grit: choose the right response
Lift slush and standing water promptly, especially on wood. Do not leave wet dirt to dry on the floor. Gently remove remaining grit with a suitable nozzle or broom before damp cleaning for the material; avoid rubbing grains over the surface.
Remove white salt marks on shoes and floors with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. For leather shoes, follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Do not use harsh products and do not mix cleaners.
- Remove grit dry first
- Pick up slush with a cloth
- Salt marks with lukewarm water
- Do not mix cleaners
| Situation | Appropriate action |
|---|---|
| Rainwater | Absorb promptly and dry the floor; let wet mats dry separately. |
| Slush | Lift wet slush, do not leave it drying on wood; wipe according to floor care. |
| Salt residue | Check floor instructions, remove with minimal permitted moisture and dry; no acid recipes. |
| Grit or sand | Lift grains without pressure before mopping; do not rub across delicate floors. |
Caring for mats and the hallway
Doormats collect a lot of dirt over time. Shake them out regularly outdoors or on the balcony, as long as it does not disturb the neighbours, and vacuum them thoroughly. Wash washable mats according to the label and let them dry completely before putting them back.
Also wipe the shoe rack, coat rack and door handle regularly. In the wet season, a quick round of the hallway every few days is worthwhile so that dirt does not spread further into the apartment.
Further reading
A simple seasonal routine
In autumn, prepare the entrance: put out a second mat, set up the shoe tray, empty the umbrella stand. In spring, store winter shoes clean and dry, wash the mats and clean the hallway floor more thoroughly.
With PUTZIO you can book regular apartment cleaning in the supported municipalities around Zurich and Rapperswil-Jona for CHF 40 per hour; the entrance area inside your apartment is cleaned as part of normal cleaning. PUTZIO does not offer stairwell or caretaker services.
Further reading