From October through spring, the Pacific Northwest brings months of rain, gray skies and wet shoes. All that moisture finds its way inside. A few simple habits can keep mud, damp and mildew from taking over your home until the sun comes back.

Stop mud at the door

Use two mats at every entry: a rough one outside to scrape off dirt and an absorbent one inside to catch water.
Set up a boot tray and a shoes-off spot near the door.
Keep an old towel by the back door for wet dogs.
Vacuum and mop entryways more often in winter than in summer. Grit acts like sandpaper on hardwood floors.

Keep bathrooms dry

Bathrooms are where damp air causes the most trouble. Mildew grows fast on grout, caulk and shower curtains when moisture has nowhere to go.

Run the exhaust fan during every shower and for a while after.
Squeegee the shower walls and glass after use.
Hang towels and bath mats so they dry fully, and wash them often.
Clean grout and caulk regularly so small spots do not turn into stains.

Watch windows and sills

Cold glass and warm indoor air mean condensation, especially on bedroom windows in the morning. Left alone, that water collects on sills and in window tracks.

Wipe condensation off glass and sills in the morning.
Open blinds and curtains during the day to let air move.
Clean window tracks a few times a season so water and dirt do not sit in them.
Crack a window for a few minutes after cooking or showering when the weather allows.

Control indoor humidity

Use kitchen and bathroom fans every time you cook or shower.
Consider a dehumidifier for basements, laundry rooms or bedrooms that feel damp.
Leave a little space between furniture and exterior walls so air can circulate.
Dry laundry in the dryer or a ventilated room instead of on racks in bedrooms.

Give pets a little extra attention

Wet paws mean muddy floors and a damp-dog smell on furniture. Wipe paws at the door, wash pet beds and blankets more often, and vacuum furniture weekly in the rainy months. More ideas in our pet-friendly cleaning tips.

Do a fall reset

Before the wettest months, it helps to start with a clean slate: baseboards wiped, bathrooms scrubbed, floors deep cleaned and windows done. A fall deep clean makes it much easier to keep up through winter, and regular bi-weekly cleaning keeps entryways and floors under control when the mud never seems to stop.

Poliana and her team clean homes across Everett, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Shoreline and the rest of the Seattle metro area, 7 days a week. Get a free quote or call or text 425-362-0671.