As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, our thoughts turn away from afternoons at the beach towards evenings curled up under a blanket. And while spring is the perfect time to air out your house and get it ready for the warmer summer months, winter is the perfect time to give your house a good cleaning, while making sure that everything is ready for the colder season. Cleaning, de-cluttering and junk removal are all things that we can do to make the winter months more enjoyable and I am going to share a few of my winter cleaning tips below.
Even if you clean your house on a regular basis, there are some things that get neglected. Winter clean-up is the perfect time to give those neglected areas a good cleaning and also to get rid of any unused items and junk that may have accumulated over the year. By tackling both cleaning and de-cluttering at the same time, you can save yourself time and make the job a lot easier to do.
The easiest way to do your winter cleaning is to tackle it one room at a time. While there will be things particular to each room there is cleaning, in general, that you should do regardless of whether you are in the kids’ bedroom or the living room.
Winter Cleaning Tips
Smoke detectors – Wipe down any smoke detectors that may be in the room. This is also an excellent time to replace the batteries and test to make sure that it works. Also check all carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are functioning.
Windows – Clean all your windows, including the frames and any woodwork. If you need to put up winterized plastic or weather stripping, do so.
Floors – Sweep any hardwood or linoleum floors and vacuum any carpeted areas. Also vacuum any area rugs that you have, then, if possible, hang them outside for a bit to air out. This is also a good time to wax your floors. Switch out your summer doormats for your winter ones and set out any boot racks.
Light fixtures – Remove and clean any light fixtures. Replace any bulbs that may have burnt out and stock up for the winter months. Also check any flashlights that you may have to make sure that they work.
Winter bedding – Take out your winter bedding, including any throw blankets. Wash them so that they will be ready to use when the cold hits.
Closets – Put away your spring/summer wardrobe. Take out your winter clothes and wash. Clear away any clutter that may have gathered over the summer months. If it’s things you won’t be using again, or it’s broken, set it aside for junk removal.
Winter appliances – If you use a humidifier, fireplace, pellet stove or generator make sure that they are all clean and ready to go.
As you clean each room, take a few extra minutes to also de-clutter. Decide what you want to keep and what you want to give/throw away. It’s amazing how much stuff can gather even over a few months. There may be broken toys, clothes that are torn or that the kids have outgrown or knick-knacks that no longer fit your lifestyle or your home’s décor. All of this can be sorted and what could be of use to someone else can be donated. Anything that is unsalvageable can be thrown out. If you have a lot that you need to get rid of, you can call a junk removal company and they can take care of it for you.
Winter cleaning doesn’t have to be a huge headache. By taking it one room at a time, using these winter cleaning tips and knowing what needs to be done before you start, you can have it done in no time.
Diane Ferraro is a self-proclaimed neat freak! When she is not cleaning, she spends her time writing and blogging for a junk removal company.
Great post and suggestions, thanks!
I need to have cleaning tips I’m young and need to know
I tend to clear everything out of the room or move everything to the centre and clean from the outside in. Decluttering beforehand is essential and taking down the curtains for dry cleaning is a good idea. I generally do one room at a time and work my way from top to bottom.
Great tips. I especially like the reminders on light fixtures and windows. I know I am always amazed at how dirty windows and frameworks can get after being ignored for a couple of months.
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I actually enjoy cleaning and will be doing some over the New Year’s holiday when we take the tree out and put away the other Christmas decorations. Thank you for the advice!
I do Spring, Summer,Fall and Winter cleaning. 🙂 I am a cleanaholic. I actually like to clean also, Anya. Sometimes I think I get too caught up in it all.
Pam,
I do the same thing. Clorox and vinegar are my best friends. 🙂
Snickers,
Vinegar is my best friend.
I don’t *always* like cleaning, but I really like things being clean. I feel like I clean a lot and there are still things that get away from me. (Like baseboards – have you ever looked at how dirty those things get?)
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work wonderfully on baseboards. 🙂
I like your tips. I need to print these out and stick on fridge.