Winter Cleaning Checklist for a
Clean and Healthy Home

The holidays have come and gone and have left in their wake… a large mess. From dried pine needles scattering the floor, to rogue glitter, and unseen dust, there is a lot to attend to. While we typically associate seasonal cleaning with spring, there are some home re-sets that are perfectly fit for a winter deep clean. 

So, pack up those holiday decorations and focus on this winter house cleaning checklist.

Kitchen

• Go through your pantry. **Is there anything more calming than a perfect pantry, or are we just old? Here’s how to get it together: first, remove everything (yes, everything). Dispose of expired items. Set aside anything that you’re not going to use and donate it. Organize the remaining items and admire the beauty of a neat space.
• Disinfect trashcans.
• Clean inside your refrigerator. **Take everything out; throw away expired items, and identify miscellaneous leftovers that your family has abandoned. Then, wash the racks and shelves with a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda. Wipe clean with a damp, microfiber cloth, and return items to their spots.
• Clean oven

Bathrooms

• Clean and disinfect toilet brushes. **When’s the last time these wands got a once over? Don’t answer that. Instead, submerge them into a solution of six parts water to one part bleach. Sit for three minutes, remove and rinse. Allow them to air dry before returning to the holder.
• Wash shower curtains and shower doors.
• Clean or replace toothbrushes.

Living Spaces

• Clean under furniture. **There’s a good chance that some cobwebs have been built over the last several months. Get rid of those and other dust accumulation by turning over living room furniture. Vacuum under the furniture (both the flooring underneath and the actual underside of the furniture pieces themselves.)
• Eliminate cobwebs.
• Wash floors. Here’s how to clean linoleum, laminate, wood.
• Clean rugs. Chances are, they need it!
• Dust nooks and crannies, such as baseboards, art, tops of doorframes, and trim.

Bedrooms

• Declutter closet.
• Clean mattress, launder pillows and bedding.
• Vacuum under beds.

Home Maintenance

• Clean washing machine.
• Dust ceiling fan blades. **Remember to vacuum or clean the floor after you’ve completed this step.
• Complete a thorough furnace prep checklist.
• Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Clean vents.

When your heat comes on, the last thing you want is for all of that settled dust to blow all over the house. Clean your vents by first removing the covers. Dust them, then wash with mild dish soap and warm water. Dry immediately. Suck out the lingering dust from the vent by vacuuming with an attachment. Then, reattach the vent covers.

• Disinfect commonly touched places in your home to prevent the spread of illness. Winter is a difficult time for staying healthy, but keeping your home clean is a nice precaution against germs. Find out how to properly disinfect here.
• Winterize the garage.
• Run a cleaning cycle on your washing machine.
• Set your sights on spring– here’s what you’ll need to get to as the season changes again.

After completing this wintertime checklist, you’re sure to feel nice, cozy, and accomplished. But if to-do lists make you feel overwhelmed and uninspired, call us instead! In addition to our regular, stellar cleaning service, The Maids offers a service specifically designed for the changing of the seasons. Click here to get a free estimate.