There are many reasons to enjoy winter. Sledding, skiing, and celebrating holidays are just a few. While these activities might be at the top of your list, it’s likely that cleaning up salt, mud, and snow from your floor and organizing mountains of winter gear is closer to being on your bottom.
Follow our winter cleaning tips to enjoy winter and keep your house sparkling clean.
Declutter your Entryway
The first impression that guests get of your house is your entryway. As the winter months drag on, it’s easy for all kinds of items to accumulate.
Decluttered entrances make it easier for guests to enter and keep the cold air out. It also gives the impression to guests that you are clean and well-organized. As winter approaches, you’ll want to clear out your entryway of spring, summer, or fall clutter to make space for your bulkier winter gear.
Give Everything a Place
You want to declutter your home so that you can relax, unwind, and forget the sweltering wind outside. Each item should have a designated place in your house. To keep your things organized and easily accessible, use wall hooks, shelves, storage benches, and closets. Consider using an area rug in high-traffic areas that can withstand dirt, dust, and salt tracked from outside.
How to Clean Ceiling Fans
You want your home to be warm and cozy during a long, cold winter. Not cool and breezy. Ceiling fans circulate air in your home no matter what the season. In the cooler months, rotate your fans clockwise. This will force warm air downward and draw cool air upward.
Keep the blades clean of your ceiling fan to ensure that the air in your home is always clean. Grab an old pillowcase and drape it over the edge of your ceiling fan. Continue this process to clean all the edges. Pull back slowly and remove dust. You can trap the dust in the pillowcase instead of letting it fall to the floor or onto your furniture.
Winterize your Home
The list of snow activities is endless: skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling are just a few. Snow can be a nuisance for homeowners once it is tracked into their homes with mud, salt, and other substances. Consider these winterizing tips to keep your home in top shape.
Install durable area rugs.
Winter is the perfect time to invest in durable, outdoor-rated rugs. These rugs are long-lasting, easy to clean, and won’t pile up wet shoes.
Use Tough Doormats
You want to buy a doormat that will last all year long. It should be able to withstand snow, dirt, and salt. A premium carpet pad will keep your doormat in position even when snow melts.
Create a “Boot Bench.”
Durable winter boots can be difficult to wear and remove, especially if you’re wearing a winter coat and mittens. You can add a bench in your main living area or entryway so that you and your guests are able to remove their footwear and take a break. An outdoor rug underneath the bench can also be a great idea, as it will absorb any moisture from boots and shoes.
Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
The air filters in your HVAC system are essential components. They ensure that the air you breathe is fresh, and they filter common allergens. The EPA estimates that air quality indoors can be up to five times worse than the air outside.
Should regularly replace and check your air filter to keep the air in your home clean all winter long. It would be best if you also considered the following reasons:
Increase Efficiency
Your system will have to work harder in order to perform efficiently if your air filter becomes dirty or clogged. This means that more energy is used and therefore higher bills. You can save money and increase efficiency by replacing your air filters on a regular basis.
Breathe Easy
Air filters are a barrier against dirt, dust, and other contaminants such as pet dander. Replace your air filter regularly to keep it clean and fresh.
Save money on maintenance.
Air filters not only help to prevent particles from entering your home but also from accumulating inside your HVAC system and ducts. The accumulation of dust and dirt in your HVAC system may lead to unnecessary (and expensive) maintenance.