Everybody knows that spring isn’t the only time of year that requires a thorough cleaning. You should clean and tidy your home every season, especially before winter strikes. After all, you want to get your house in tip-top shape before the holiday guests arrive. If you are unsure where to start, don’t worry because we’ve covered you. We’ve asked cleaning pros for advice and gathered the ultimate pre-winter house cleaning checklist.
The ultimate checklist for pre-winter house cleaning
With winter’s arrival, the festive season’s spirit fills the air. As a result, you may expect a slew of visitors from near and far to descend upon your home. You probably want your home to seem friendly and neat before guests arrive. Plus, your Christmas decorations won’t get a chance to sparkle fully in a home that’s not clean and neat.
Even more important is that you and your loved ones need a clean, comfortable home. After all, you are the ones who’ll be spending their time there. Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean your home before the winter season. Of course, the easier and safest way to go. However, if you feel you’re up to the task, here’s the ultimate pre-winter house cleaning checklist we’ve gathered from cleaning experts.
#1 Thoroughly clean your gutters
Fallen leaves and other debris can clog gutters if you don’t clean them before the winter season. As soon as the snow and ice melt, it will have nowhere to go and stay trapped in your gutters. In the worst case, this could cause your roof to leak. The last thing you want to do is to go through a major hassle, especially during cold and wet months.
#2 Check your radiators and vents
Getting this task out of the way is crucial before you turn on the heater for the winter. Make sure to dust between the bars of your metal radiator with a bottle brush. Spread a sheet of paper under the radiator to collect dust and other particles. And if you have an HVAC system, make sure the vents are clean before you turn on the heat. Use a vacuum with a crevice tool to clean each vent, then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth.
#3 Declutter your belongings
When it comes to our pre-winter house cleaning checklist, this is probably everyone’s least favourite task. However, it’s important not to skip it, as a cluttered home can ruin the holiday spirit. So before you take your Christmas decoration out of storage, it’s essential to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need.
Use this opportunity to go through your storage unit, too, and make sure it’s organised. After all, you’ll need to make plenty of space for seasonal clothes, camping equipment, and other items you don’t need during the winter. Oh, and let us not forget your Christmas decorations. A tip from pros: label the boxes and create an inventory before packing things into a storage unit.
#4 Clean your windows
Did you know that dirty window glass reduces natural light by 20%? That’s a big drop in incoming light right when you need it most to combat the dark days of winter. Using microfiber towels to clean and shine the windows inside and outside, you can use a solution of 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 2 cups of water.
#5 Wash and disinfect your garbage bins
Considering that you’ll be trapped indoors with these germ magnets for the cold season, now is an excellent time to give them thoroughly. Bring them outdoors and spray them down with the garden hose before adding disinfectant. It will make keeping your home clean and germ-free during winter that much easier.
To disinfect these awful dirt collectors in an eco-friendly way, you can use the following mixture. Simply mix undiluted hydrogen peroxide OR vinegar mixed 50/50 with water. Caution! Do not mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar as they create a poisonous gas. After an hour, empty the trash cans and clean them with a bristle brush to eliminate any lingering trash. Get rid of germs by rinsing the trash can and drying it in the sun.
#6 Vacuum the bottoms of your furniture
To better clean the floor, you may occasionally rearrange your furniture. However, you should not forget about the underneath of your furniture. Tilt the backs of settees and armchairs to show off the furniture’s legs. Dust coverings put beneath furniture can trap dust bunnies. Make sure to vacuum them off but be careful not to press too hard on the fabric and damage it.
#7 Clean the areas above the doors and around your artwork
Many things in the home besides tables and countertops have flat tops. Almost everything in your home has a flat surface that collects dust and filth over time, frequently unseen. Interior doors, baseboards, chair rails, artwork, and mirrors should all have their flat top edges cleaned. Upper kitchen cabinets, light bulbs, light fixtures, computer monitors, and books on the shelf are all areas you should pay attention to.
#8 Dust lighting fixtures and ceiling fans
Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in your ceiling fans and lamps. And since ceiling fans are frequently used in the winter to help circulate air, now is a great time to clean them. That is especially important if anyone in your home suffers from allergies. Your guests will appreciate it, too.
Wrapping up
We hope our pre-winter house cleaning checklist helps you get your home in great shape for the upcoming holidays and colder months. Remember, it’s essential to impress your guests during your celebration and even more crucial for your family’s health. And to make sure your home is clean and germ-free without having to break a sweat, reach out to cleaning experts. You can slowly start getting into the holiday groove and leave the experts to ensure your home is spotlessly clean.