Mudrooms can be one of the messiest rooms in the house – the clue is in the name, after all. However, keeping yours neat will help create a welcoming space to return home to and kick off your boots.
I have asked experts how people with clean mudrooms keep them that way. Having essential sanitizing supplies to hand, bringing in boot trays, and creating designated areas are just some of the brilliant ideas they’ve shared.
While finding out how to clean a mudroom is important, if you want yours to always look refreshed, these helpful habits, tips and tricks will be useful.
5 things people with clean mudrooms always do
1. They store cleaning supplies within reach
When you arrive in the mudroom after a long walk or day, the last thing you want to be doing is traipsing to your cleaning cabinet and back to wipe up any debris. This is why having cleaning supplies in your mudroom is a smart idea.
‘People with clean mudrooms often have handheld vacuums for quick removal of dirt, mops for wet messes from rain boots, and disinfecting wipes for surfaces to hand,’ explains Steven Ip, owner at Cleanzen.
For speedy sorting out of muddy floors, I swear by the Swiffer PowerMop from Walmart, which can be used on most surface types. It also comes with a lovely scent that lasts for hours.
This is one of the most popular handheld vacuums on Amazon, with over 40,000 five-star reviews from shoppers who love how easy it is to use and what good value for money it is. It comes with a nifty crevice tool and a washable dirt bowl.
Give your mudroom floor an easy once-over with this deep-cleaning wonder that comes with a foot-activated pedal and a bucket wringer. The mop head is made from 100% microfiber, so your floor will be left streak-free. This is also machine washable, making it a more sustainable option than those with disposable mop heads.
These wipes not only have a fresh lemony scent, but they also are made from plant-based fibers. This means you can put them in your compost bin and dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way. Plus, they're safe to use around kids, pets, and food.
2. They regularly make time to clean
Even if you want to make a quickish exit from your mudroom after arriving back home, penciling in time to give it a little TLC will stop you from having to have a big cleaning session later down the line.
Steven explains, ‘Shake out rugs weekly and wiping down high-touch areas, prevents buildup and keeps the space fresh.’
To make sure that you don’t miss anything, you could always add mudroom spots to a room checklist. The Spritz checklist notepads from Target are stylish and color-coded, so you can identify what needs doing and when.
I always have a few of these microfiber cloths around the house, and I think they'd also be perfect for mudrooms. The eye-catching colors make them easy to see and grab – ideal if you need a prompt when you arrive home.
Keep all your mudroom supplies in one place with the help of this smart caddy. It can be slotted into cabinets neatly, has a removal inner caddy for smaller tasks, and can fit six full-sized spray bottles.
Essential oils are a lovely way to add natural fragrance to your mudroom. You can sprinkle this onto your microfiber cloths to add a scent while sanitizing, mix it into a glass bottle with water to create a spray fragrance, or even put it into an essential oil diffuser.
3. They provide a boot tray or waterproof mat
The mudroom isn’t normally in the entryway (unless you have mudroom entryway, that is), so you might not think of providing a mat or tray for guests to take off their shoes. However, this is a brilliant way to spruce up the mudroom decor and to stop dirt from traveling.
‘I often see people with clean mudrooms providing boot trays to encourage family members to remove footwear upon entering the doorstep,’ explains Forrest Webber, owner at Bear Brothers Cleaning.
Steven agrees, adding, ‘This allows them to contain the mud, snow, and all kinds of dirt from their shoes to make freshening up the space easier.’
You can also add a waterproof doormat for an extra line of defense, such as the Vunate door mat from Walmart which has non-slip backing and heavy-duty curved edges.
While you can get plain and practical boot trays, I think it’s worth finding an eye-catching one, as it will encourage people to use it. I love the Art Deco style of this one, which is made from 100% rubber and has a textured surface for dirt scraping.
4. They have a no-shoes inside the home policy
If you are really concerned about debris moving through your home, having a no-shoes policy is a simple and effective way to stop it from entering in the first place.
Steven explains, ‘A no-shoes inside the home policy and even providing indoor slippers can help minimize dirt tracking.’ You could grab a pack of these, such as the Ostadarra sippers from Amazon, to create a hotel-style experience in your home.
‘Another option like a mudroom storage bench can also encourage family members to remove footwear before going inside the main living area,’ he adds.
I’m a fan of using multipurpose furniture, and storage benches are one of my top go-to's, as they keep clutter contained and provide a chic seat. The Red Barrel Studio storage bench from Wayfair comes in five different colors and with a one-year warranty.
5. They have designated spaces for clothing items
Even if you keep your best coats elsewhere in your home, you might have raincoats, boots, and gloves in your mudroom for when you’ve been out for dog walks or out on a rainy day.
Don’t be tempted to tempted to let them pile up on the floor.
‘I have seen that a lot of people with clean mudrooms have hooks and shelves for coats, bags, and accessories in order to keep the floor organized,’ Forrest explains.
A clear floor makes it easy to sweep or stick the vacuum around.
I like to stick Command hooks (available from Amazon) on doors and walls, as they’re so quick to install and can be taken off easily without damaging paintwork.
Stash away hats, scarves, and gloves in this sweet storage basket, which comes in two different color options. I also like the fact it has a removable liner, so you can bundle everything up and put garments in the washing machine quickly if you need to.
Meet the experts
By combining smart mudroom organization with a routine cleaning schedule, you can make your mudroom functional, tidy, and welcoming year-round.
If you want to carry on discovering what those with tidy homes do, you can learn the things people with clean living rooms do and the things people with clean guest bedrooms do as well.
