House Cleaning Checklist

House Cleaning Tips

• Top Ten House Cleaning Tips
• Cleaning Tips for Efficiency
• Deep Cleaning
• Cleaning Checklist
• House Cleaning Checklist

web mrscleannw.com

House Cleaning Tips For Winter

Winter Cleaning Checklist

Winter is the time of year when many people spend the most time in their homes. It’s colder and there are gatherings with friends and family. Winter cleaning is mostly cold weather or holiday specific, with a few extras to do while you’re home on a “snow day.”

Chimneys

Before your first fire, have a professional chimney sweep. The job is too difficult to do on your own, and the risks are great. A fire in your chimney can destroy your entire house. Don’t rely on “cleaning logs” in place of a chimney sweep. They cannot do the same job, and they do not eliminate the risk of a chimney fire. If you have a wood stove, you should also have it professionally checked. This is the most important cleaning job you will do all winter!

Furnaces

Have your furnace checked by a professional as well. They can tell you specific cleaning or maintenance steps you need to take for your specific furnace. Change or clean the filters monthly throughout the season. Vacuum your vents and registers with an attachment every time you vacuum the floor.

Snow Blowers & Snowmobiles

If you live in an area that gets regular snowfall, you should clean snow blowers and snowmobiles at this time. If they have salt and “ick” (a very technical term) build-up on them, you can take them to a do-it-yourself car wash and use the power wash wand to get them clean. If you have rust, you can clean it off with fine steel wool.

The Pantry

It’s time to sort through your pantry (summer and winter), throwing away whatever has gone bad or won’t be used. This doesn’t have to be a big job. Just drag over a big trash can and get started. Pay attention to “Use By” dates. If the date hasn’t passed but is coming up and you’re not going to use the item, toss it. You should throw away any cans that are dented or are missing labels.

Mattresses

Twice a year (summer and winter), you should clean all of the mattresses in the house to keep dust mites under control. Vacuum the top of the mattress, move the mattress and vacuum the box springs, then flip the mattress and vacuum the new top of the mattress. For further protection from dust mites, add an allergenic mattress pad and wash your sheets in hot water.

Computers

Since it’s so cold, the time you spend on the computer is probably getting out of hand. It’s fine to spend time on the computer, but take this opportunity to clean yours. Power down, unplug, and start with the dirtiest parts – your keyboard and mouse. Turn your keyboard upside down and dump out any crumbs or dirt particles. Then use compressed air to get between the keys. Follow by wiping your keyboard and mouse with a damp cloth. Special electronic cleaners are not usually necessary. Now open the actual computer unit. Most units have a screw or two that have to be removed to open the side panel. If you don’t know anything about computers, don’t touch anything inside! Simply use compressed air and spray away all of the dirt and dust. Hold the can at least four inches away from cards, chips, and cords.

Junk Drawer

Since you’re probably spending more time indoors during the winter season, it’s also an excellent time to tackle your junk drawer! You’re absolutely allowed to have a junk drawer (or two), but the rule is that you have to clean it periodically so you’re able to shut it. All you’ll need is a chair, a trash can, and a basket or other container. The chair is to sit in while you de-clutter. The trash can is to throw away odd things like decks of cards with 23 cards in them, keys that you’ve had for 20 years and have no idea what they open, lint, and unidentifiable things. The basket is for “I’ve been looking for that!” things that you want to put in their rightful homes elsewhere in the house.

Winter Holiday Cleaning

Completely clean off a large workspace to be used for wrapping presents, signing holiday cards, cookie decoration, and other holiday activities that require a large work area. You can also use a card table. Make it a rule to keep this area completely cleaned off until the holidays are over. Every time you use it, schedule enough time to clean the table off again after you’re through with your task.

When taking down decorations at the end of the season, take the opportunity to organize them in a logical fashion. Take your time! There’s no rule that says all of your decorations have to be down by January second. Do a little at a time, cleaning as you put away. Dust off decorations and ornaments before you store them to make life easier next year.

If you have an artificial holiday tree, you might choose to clean it before putting it into storage. If it’s dingy or dusty, keep it together and take it to the bathtub. Give it a light quick spray with the shower, and then let it dry in the bath.

This is also the time to send any fancy lace table cloths or holiday outfits to the cleaners. If you attend a holiday party every year and will not wear an outfit again, sell it on eBay or donate it. Don’t create unnecessary cleaning jobs for the future!