When the weather cools down and the flakes start to fly, keeping your home clean can seem like more of a chore than ever. Between closed windows, children running rampant because they’re stuck indoors, and a never-ending parade of snow and salt, there’s plenty of opportunities for your cleaning schedule to get derailed. Fortunately, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Use the seven tips below to keep your home neat and tidy all winter long.
1.) Institute a no-shoes policy, and mean it. If there’s snow on the ground, there’s probably snow and salt on the bottom of your family’s shoes that can be tracked through your home. Every time someone comes in, they should take off their shoes and leave them at the door. Make sure you leave a boot tray near each entrance to put shoes on so the water from melted snow doesn’t puddle on the floor.
2.) Deep clean any carpets and hardwood floors. During the winter, the snow and ice being carried into the house on shoes, pant legs, and coats will inevitably result in dirty floors. Even if you manage to cease most of the shoe traffic, you’ll still have a layer of salt and dirt collecting in-between carpet fibers and floor boards. For more carpet cleaning tips check out this article.
A good working vacuum is your best defense. Clean out the filters, empty the canister and check the suction. If your vacuum needs a tune-up, bring it to a repair shop or consider upgrading to a new Dyson.
3.) Change the filter in your furnace. Changing the filter in your furnace should be done annually or biannually, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. The furnace filter’s job is to keep dust out of your furnace. Not only will this help your system run more efficiently, but for homes with forced hot air, changing the filter will also prevent the furnace from spreading dust through the air ducts in the home.
4.) Re-evaluate your dusting routine, and dust more often. Dusting should be done more often in the winter. Even if you’ve recently changed your furnace filter, residual dust in the ducts will get blown out, where it will settle on furniture. Help combat this with regular dusting sessions. Pay particular attention to the furniture nearest the heat vents.
5.) Be mindful of soot-producing items, like candles or the fireplace. Soot can be a subtle source of dirt in your home during the winter. People burn candles to freshen closed spaces, and fireplaces are an excellent way to stave off the winter chill. However, any type of flame will produce soot. Run your finger along a window pane or a ceiling, and you’ll probably find the telltale film. Consider switching to wax melts instead of traditional candles, and use a quality screen for your fireplace.
6.) Recruit a little help. Many hands make light work, so get as many people on-board with cleaning as possible. If you have young kids, choose age-appropriate tasks, like mopping up water by the door with a towel, or vacuuming. Do a little cleaning every day to keep your home clean all winter long.
7.) Make sure you always have cleaning supplies stocked, and ready to go. You never know when you’ll be stuck indoors because of an unusually cold day or a sudden snow squall. Keep your cleaning supplies well-stocked, so they’re ready whenever you have a few minutes free. A combination of prevention and regular cleaning is your best defense against cold, snowy winter weather. Be diligent and you will be rewarded with a home that’s always warm, clean, and inviting.
