Winter Cleaning Your Home

We all know about spring cleaning, and we’ve all probably done it enough times to know exactly what to do. However, most people don’t think about the serious cleaning that needs to be done before the home gets shut up for the winter. Below are a few things you should do to make sure your home is safe, clean, and comfortable for the long, cold Midwest winter.

Appliances
If you have a chimney, having it cleaned is probably the most important pre-winter chore. In fact, if you do nothing else, do this, because chimney fires are dangerous and can destroy your whole home. Don’t try to do it yourself, though. Hire a chimney sweep, so that you can ensure the most thorough job and the best protection. The same rule applies for a wood stove.

Also, have your furnace inspected and cleaned. Make sure to replace the filter, and have replacements on hand just in case. Finally, give your stove and oven a good cleaning. Ovens get used often in the winter for holiday baking, and no one wants their sugar cookies ruined because of a stale, dirty stove.

Mattresses, Blankets and Carpets
Mattresses should be cleaned once or twice a year in order to rid them of dust mites, bacteria and mold or mildew. The same goes for carpets. You can have your mattresses and carpets cleaned by a professional, or you can do it yourself. Be sure not to use soap, however, especially for carpets, as soap will just leave a sticky residue that will invite dirt.

You should also take out all of your blankets, wash them, and leave them in easy to get to places for those nights that call for cuddling up on the couch with a movie or book, or the especially frigid nights that require extra blankets on the beds.

Deep Cleaning

Sweep and mop floors, wipe down walls and doors, and disinfect often touched areas like door handles, light switches, and keyboards. This is to eliminate anything that can cause you or your family to get sick: mold and mildew, germs and bacteria.

You may want to consider having your home tested for mold before you seal up the doors and windows from the harsh cold. Mold can cause serious illnesses and life-long respiratory complications, so try to get mold issues eliminated before they cause any serious problems.

 
De-cluttering
Now is also a good time to clean out junk drawers and closets. Switch out summer items for winter items—this includes clothes, shoes and doormats. Clear an area in a closet to store holiday gifts. Attack the pantry and throw out anything that is expired and donate items you’re sure you won’t use. If you do a lot of holiday baking, make a space in the pantry specifically for holiday baking ingredients.

Winter cleaning is an important way to reduce your family’s risk of getting sick, and to make your life much easier through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Follow these simple steps, and your winter will be better than ever!