Winter Is Coming: How to Prepare Your Office Cleaning for Ontario’s Harsh Season

Why Winter Office Cleaning Deserves Special Attention

Ontario winters aren’t just cold — they’re messy. Snow, ice, salt, and slush get tracked into buildings every day from November to March. That means your floors, entryways, and indoor air quality are constantly under attack.

If you're a property or office manager, winter brings increased risk of slip hazards, salt damage to flooring, lingering odors, and health concerns due to poor air circulation.

A proactive winter cleaning strategy protects your space — and your people.

1. Entryway Management: Your First Line of Defense

Your building's front doors take the biggest winter beating. Here’s how to minimize the impact:

• Install industrial-grade mats: Place high-absorbency mats inside and outside every entrance. They trap moisture and grit before it hits your floors.

• Daily mat rotation: Mats can get saturated quickly. Swapping or laundering daily ensures they stay effective.

• Frequent mopping & extraction: Moisture tracked inside can lead to warped floors and hidden mold. Wet mops or auto scrubbers should be used multiple times per day in high-traffic zones.

2. Salt & Slush Removal: The Silent Floor Killers

Rock salt and de-icers are essential outside — but they wreak havoc inside.

• Neutral pH floor cleaners help break down salt residue without damaging tile or vinyl surfaces.

• For carpeted offices, frequent spot cleaning and deep extraction prevents salt stains from setting in.

• Protect polished concrete or epoxy floors by applying floor finish sealers that resist salt abrasion.

Pro tip: Schedule weekly or biweekly deep cleans for the duration of winter. Prevention is far cheaper than restoration.

3. Improve Indoor Air Quality

Closed windows + extra coats + heater use = stagnant indoor air.

• Use HEPA vacuums to trap fine particles and allergens.

• Clean vents and air return ducts regularly.

• Consider adding mid-season disinfection to keep common touch points sanitized and reduce the spread of viruses.

Remember: the average person spends 90% of their time indoors in winter. Clean air matters.

4. Bathroom & Kitchen Upkeep

Winter means more layers, more hand washing, and more coffee — all of which lead to:

• More trash (paper towels, stir sticks)

• More spills (coffee, tea, snow melt puddles)

• Higher restroom traffic

Add extra cleaning shifts or increase frequency of touch-up services in kitchens and washrooms to keep things sanitary and fresh-smelling.

5. Slip Hazard Prevention

Slip-and-fall incidents spike in the winter months.

• Keep entry areas dry and clear at all times

• Use wet floor signs during cleanups

• Apply grip-enhancing treatments to problem floor surfaces where appropriate.

If you manage a busy building in Cambridge, Waterloo, or Brantford, this is critical for reducing liability.

6. Winter Cleaning Checklist

Here’s a sample seasonal checklist Twin City Commercial Cleaners uses for our Ontario clients:

✅ Vacuum and mop entry points 2–3x daily

✅ Deep-clean carpets every 2 weeks

✅ Sanitize high-touch surfaces (desks, switches, doorknobs) daily

✅ Rotate and clean all entry mats

✅ Wipe baseboards and heating vents weekly

✅ Restock restroom & kitchen supplies more frequently

✅ Apply salt-neutralizers on hard floors

✅ Inspect and clean floor drains monthly

Who Needs Winter Cleaning Plans?

We recommend seasonal service upgrades for:

• Corporate offices

• Retail storefronts

• Medical clinics

• Warehouses

• Educational institutions

How Twin City Commercial Cleaners Handles Winter

We provide winter office cleaning packages tailored to your building’s needs and traffic volume. Services include:

• Flexible scheduling (before, during, or after hours)

• Floor-specific product usage (VCT, tile, LVP, carpet, concrete)

• Commercial-grade mat management and vacuuming

• Real-time staff reporting and issue flagging through our app-based platform

About Us:

Twin City Commercial Cleaners goes above and beyond industry standards to offer thorough and reliable commercial cleaning services. Whether you need basic cleaning maintenance or full janitorial services we have you covered. With over 30 years of experience, we are bonded, insured, and dedicated to enhancing the safety of your workplace. We proudly serve Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo, and surrounding areas. Reach out to us at 519-504-0061 or info@tcitycleaners.com.

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