Winter is here and it’s time to get prepared for the cold weather. Over the duration of a year, a lot can accumulate inside your home. The last thing you want is a house packed full of things you don’t need and that takes up room. The winter cleaning tips mentioned below will make your home look great all season!
1. Start with Your HVAC
The HVAC system is responsible for keeping your home at a comfortable temperature all year long. It’s important to keep up maintenance to ensure the unit is running at its optimal level. Replacing the filter and cleaning the ducts are recommended every three months.
Also removing debris and trash that accumulates around the outside unit is recommended. Cleaning leaves is also required to ensure the unit doesn’t have blocked areas. If your HVAC isn’t working correctly contact a professional for further assistance.
2. Clean the Kitchen
Chances are you clean the kitchen on a daily basis but when was the last time you cleaned behind the refrigerator and stove? If it’s been a while, it’s time to pull the refrigerator and stove away from the wall. There’s probably a big surprise waiting for you such as accumulated dust, crumbs, debris, and dead pests.
Carefully remove the debris from the wall and clean the floor. Cleaning the coils will help you save money in the long run and keep your appliances running in good shape throughout the winter season.
3. Get Rid of the Clutter
Winter cleaning is essential to preventing fires during the cold weather months. The tasks will help you remove clutter from your home and keep it safe.
Remove newspapers, magazines, and other paper products and items in your house that don’t get used during the winter months.
Make room in the closets by donating clothing, shoes, and other items you don’t use anymore. Repair window treatments or get new ones that keep the cold out.
Remove items from wall outlets and extension cords.
4. Empty the Vents in the Dryer
The dust trap in the clothes dryer often gets neglected in households nationwide. This heavy accumulation of lint and dust clog the vents and can lead to overheating or in some cases a fire. Clean the vents and trapped lint to ensure the dryer will remain in tip-top condition throughout winter because hanging the clothes on the line outside is out of the question in the cold winter months.
5. Clean the Kitchen from Top to Bottom
The kitchen is the busiest room in the house which makes it the dirtiest too. Clean out the drawers, cabinets, pantries, and any other nooks you have in your kitchen. Organize the food in a system that is easy to access and keep track of inventory. Stock up on essentials to get you and your family through a winter storm.
6. Steam Clean Carpets
Carpets and rugs hold onto an excessive amount of dust and bacteria. You don’t want particles floating around in the air during the winter months. Steam clean all carpets, rugs, and furniture fabrics to remove bacteria and dust. This task is especially helpful for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. A clean house helps reduce allergens in the air.
You can also take it a step further by placing durable plastic runners in high traffic areas of your carpet to prevent wear and tear during the winter months. If snow and rain tend to ruin your carpets, a liner does wonders to keep it looking like new.
7. Clean the Windows
Remove the curtains and other fabric window treatments and give them a good washing. If you have blinds or shades as window treatments wipe down each horizontal or vertical shade with a soft damp cloth to remove dust.
Take the screens off the window and give them a good hosing down outdoors. Allow them to air dry before placing them back in the window frame.
8. Clean the Chimney
Chances you and your family haven’t used the fireplace for quite a long time, possibly even since last year or last winter. A clean chimney reduces the risk of fires and provides a healthy environment for you and your family.
Also, give the fireplace a good cleaning, replace logs, and set up a protective barrier if you have pets or young children that can potentially crawl or walk too close to the fire.
9. Clean the Oven
Cleaning the oven is one of the most undesirable chores homeowners leave for last on the list. Some ovens are self-cleaning and only require pushing a few buttons while others require some elbow power and scrubbing.
The winter season often encourages homeowners to bake and cook warm meals that get cooked in the oven. A clean oven lessens the smell of foul odors, prevents excessive smoking from escaping, and lowers the risk of fires.
10. Hire a Professional for Help
Cleaning the entire house can feel overwhelming but it’s something that you will be glad you did once the cold winter months arrive. Don’t be afraid to get rid of clutter and items you don’t use or need anymore.
It’s best to get rid of the clutter instead of keeping it around taking up space and collecting dust. By conducting all of these tasks the final result will be a safe, healthy house that is ready to be filled with holiday cheer and warm winter nights by the fire.
The main goal is for your appliances to run at their optimal level all winter and for your home to remain a safe and healthy environment for your entire family. You can achieve this when you reduce the clutter in your home and have your junk taken away.
Junk B Gone is here to help take all of your old items away so you can enjoy a happy holiday season in a clean house. Say goodbye to the mess and schedule a junk pick up today at https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/
