Foto: BB.LV / Собака в прихожей
### Create Several Barriers for Dirt A small mat by the door is usually not enough. It is much more effective to set up several consecutive cleaning zones. The first mat should be placed outside. It’s better to choose a hard one — rubber or with a coarse pile. Its task is to remove most of the dirt from the soles before a person enters the house. The second mat will be needed inside. Here, the ability of the material to absorb moisture is important. Models with a rubber base are practical: water does not seep through them onto laminate, parquet, or tiles. The next step is the place where shoes are removed. A special tray will come in handy here. And if the hallway is spacious enough, you can also lay down a large rug with a short pile: it will catch the fine sand and dust left on the soles. ### Place Shoes on a Tray Wet autumn boots can leave a whole chain of puddles and dirty streaks on the floor. This can be avoided with plastic or silicone trays with edges. Once you take off your shoes, place them there immediately. Water and dirt will stay inside the tray. Then it can be quickly rinsed, instead of having to wash the entire hallway again. This solution is especially useful in rainy weather when shoes need some time to dry. ### Set Up a “Clean Station” by the Door The further away brushes and cloths are, the less likely you are to use them. Therefore, it’s best to keep everything needed for quick shoe cleaning right by the entrance. A stiff-bristled brush for soles, shoe wipes, or a microfiber cloth will be useful. You can also place a small spray bottle with water nearby. This way, you can clean the dirt right after returning home without carrying wet boots across the apartment to the bathroom. ### Hide Shoes Behind Doors Open shoe shelves look impressive in interior photos, but in everyday life, they quickly gather dust. In autumn, sand and dirt are added to it. It is more practical to use a closed shoe cabinet. It helps maintain visual order and simultaneously prevents dust from spreading in the hallway. For the same reason, it’s better to avoid a large number of decorative details and textiles in the entrance area. Fluffy rugs, open shelves with small items, and complex decor require additional cleaning. The freer the surfaces, the easier it is to quickly wipe them down with a damp cloth. ### Don’t Forget About Dog Paws Dog owners should provide a separate place for cleaning paws after a walk. You can keep a special towel or paw washer by the door. The main rule is to clean the paws before the pet walks around the apartment. The difference is especially noticeable on rainy autumn days. ### A Few Habits Instead of Constant Cleaning Keeping the hallway clean is easier if you turn a few actions into a daily ritual: * returned from outside — immediately cleaned the soles; * took off wet shoes — placed them on the tray; * after walking the dog — immediately wiped the paws; * every few days — quickly wiped the floor right by the door. The main principle is simple: you need to fight dirt not when it has already spread throughout the apartment, but in the first minutes after returning home. If you can keep water, sand, and dirt at the entrance door, a thorough cleaning will be needed much less often.
