It’s that time of the year again! Yes, the winters…the time to stay indoors, enjoy hot chocolate and binge-watch your favorite TV shows. While we all love this season for bringing in the holidays and happy vibes, it’s also the best time for cleaning. Before getting your hands dirty, take a look at our home cleaning checklist.
Most of us spend our winters wrapped up in blankets, having hot beverages near the cosy corner of the house. The season makes us extra lazy to even get out of our beds, forget getting out of our homes. And since we spend most of our time indoors, it’s important to keep it clean. It may sound daunting but it’s not especially if you have a winter home cleaning checklist.
Winter Home Cleaning Checklist
Mattress Cleaning
A soft, mushy and clean bed is the best thing in winter. But to enjoy a peaceful sleep you need to ensure that it is dust, allergen and bacteria-free. And this should be your top priority before the winter season rings in. We recommend changing bed sheets every 4-5 days and vacuuming your mattress every 2-3 months and don’t forget to rotate it every quarter too. Also if you’ve been using the same mattress for many years, consider replacing it or at least getting it professionally cleaned after every 6 months.
Rugs and Carpets Maintenance
Many homeowners tend to postpone carpet cleaning in winter, which is wrong. During summers dust and a lot of airborne pollutants enter your house through windows. These elements accumulate on your rugs and carpets, leading to an unhealthy environment. Thus, you must clean them before the cold weather officially kicks in. We suggest contacting professional carpet cleaning experts. They will complete the job quickly and help you enhance the overall appearance of your room. But if you want to take up the task yourself, watch some YouTube tutorials to spruce up your home before the holidays.
Indoor and Outdoor Cushion Cleaning
With the temperatures dropping, your outdoors sittings will be rare. So, why don’t you pack up those patio cushions if you know you won’t be using them? Leaving them exposed to the harsh weather may lead to rotting or mould build-up on them. Storing the cushions will help you keep them fresh and ready for the next season.
When we say cushions, we’re also referring to indoor cushions. In winters, you’ll be using them more often due to the numerous movie marathons, reading sessions and game nights. This will make them prone to stains, smells and multiple other things. So, make sure you give them the necessary attention and vacuum them properly.
Don’t Forget the Dryer
Since we wear more clothes in the winter months, the laundry loads automatically get heavier. This increases the link accumulation in your dryer. And if you weren’t aware, please know that lint is a flammable material and its build-up can cause a dryer fire breakout. It is in fact one of the major reasons for fire breaks in homes across the USA and Canada. Cleaning the dryer vent is thus an essential point on our checklist. Do not overlook it.
Windows Clean Up
In winters, you want to let in as much daylight as possible. The natural sunlight through the windows keep you warm and brightens up your dark looking winter home. This also means that you need to keep your windows clean. For that, you can buy a glass cleaning solution from the market or prepare one on your own. It can be anything from alcohol, salt or vinegar-based solution or a simple salt-based solution with cold water. Before you begin to clean, we recommend you wear waterproof gloves for hand protection and keep items such as a bucket, towel and squeegee handy.
Neat and Tidy Bathroom
Even your bathroom needs your care and attention during winters. The season gives rise to the number of hot showers and baths, keeping your bathroom occupied almost all the time. As a result, there is a mould and mildew build-up in your bathroom that requires effective cleaning. You will have to put in extra effort to bleach the surfaces, washbasins and tiles so as to prevent excess grime accumulation.
Get Rid of Clutter
Clutter clearance is another important pointer that should make it to your home cleaning checklist. No matter how many times you clean up, clutter always seems to pile up. It’s a common issue especially in households with children. Cleaning up, again and again, is tiring but sadly you have to deal with it. We say this because dust, allergens and clutter within your house can affect ventilation which increases mild, mould, viruses and bacteria. Use boxes to store items you do not need or simply donate them. For cleaning off dirt and dust, use the right cleaning solutions and sprays.
Kitchen Cleaning Checklist – Major Sections to Focus On
While every nook and corner of the home requires cleaning, three major areas in the kitchen should get special emphasis. These include:
Refrigerator
Just before the winter season begins, take some time out to empty your refrigerator and clean it. The freezer, in particular, should be cleaned thoroughly. Pull out all the summer-related items, clean and organise your fridge from scratch. This will help you free up some space and eliminate bad smells (if any).
Cabinets
Cabinets have more debris than you can imagine. Everyone remembers cleaning the countertops and sink, but cabinets are often neglected. This winter, ensure they are free from dirt and grime. You can use vinegar, warm water solution, or a multi-purpose spray cleaner.
Oven
The most used appliance in any home is the oven. With excessive use comes excessive cleaning. If you’re not sure where to begin, we suggest the inside. Clear out all the accidental spills, oil and food debris that you otherwise let go of. Then, come outside and wipe off the dirt, grease and grime.
In Conclusion
We know your winters begin on a busy note and cleaning isn’t something you want to waste your time on. But our home cleaning checklist will help you save time and effort. Keeping note of all the above-mentioned points will also let you keep your house warm and cosy for weeks to come. Enjoyed reading this piece? Stay tuned for more such tips and hacks. We share home care tips on a regular basis and would love to get your feedback. In case of suggestions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us. For those with doubts, we’ve answered a few FAQs below, scroll down to check them out!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A basic cleaning checklist comprises regular tasks such as mopping, vacuuming with dusting, and kitchen and bathroom cleaning. Charges may add up depending on how big the house is.
Furniture cleaning is of two types: removing dust and food debris, which should be done every day/alternate day. The other is professional and deep cleaning, which should be done 1 or 2 times a year.
There are plenty of advantages to winter cleaning. These include eliminating allergens, better health, quicker carpet drying, hassle-free organisation and more.
Yes, cleaners from professional cleaning agencies use cleaning checklists for home. These lists include the number of tasks and their step-by-step process.
Both of them have their significance. Homeowners should perform both the cleaning duties for a tidy home.
Begin by decluttering to make space, then deep clean key areas like living spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. Remember to launder bedding, clean carpets, maintain appliances, and check heating systems. Lastly, add cosy touches and ensure safety devices are functioning.
The Daily 6 is a cleaning strategy that involves six quick daily tasks to maintain a clean and organised home: making beds, doing laundry, cleaning dirty dishes, wiping down bathrooms, decluttering high-traffic areas, and managing mail and paperwork.
Before winter, deep clean carpets and rugs, launder bedding, dust and clean the furnace and replace filters, check the functionality of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, clean the gutters, and seal any drafts around doors and windows to keep your home warm and energy-efficient. What does a standard cleaning checklist consist of?
How often should I do furniture cleaning in winter?
What are the benefits of winter cleaning?
Do professional cleaners use a checklist for cleaning homes?
Is winter cleaning better than spring cleaning?
How do I clean my house for the winter?
What is the daily six-cleaning list?
What should I clean before winter?
