Winter in Northeastern Ohio is a season of cold temperatures and plentiful snow, forcing you to spend more time indoors. Instead of succumbing to cabin fever, why not use this time to give your home a deep clean? With the freezing wind chill, there's not much excitement to be had outside. Lets take advantage of being cooped up and tackle those hard-to-reach areas and deep cleaning tasks that tend to be neglected. From de-cluttering to sanitizing, these tips will help you get your home in pristine condition, ready for the arrival of spring.
De-clutter the Basement or Garage
We talk about de-cluttering enough to have its own article: 10 Proven Steps for De-cluttering your home . The garage and basement seem to become the de-facto junk storage spaces when we put things into boxes and "store" them. Often, those boxes get left for years and its less storage and more hoarding. Take advantage of being stuck inside to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need, use or want. This includes clothes, shoes, kitchen gadgets, toys, books, and anything else that has accumulated over time. Keep track of anything you donate, it becomes a tax deduction at the end of the year. If it hits over a certain threshold, you will need to ask for a receipt from the place you donate to. There are even services that will come pick up these donations like The Easter Seals
Dusting and Vacuuming
It is easy to look at your table and see if dust has started to accumulate. High traffic areas might not even see much dust settle. When we talk about dusting, we want you look up, not down. Your ceiling fans, light fixtures, tops of cabinets, and corners of ceilings all need love. These hard to reach places tend to get neglected over time because of the difficulty of reaching them. Skip the step stool and grab this telescoping duster instead. Don't forget to vacuum carpets, upholstery, and curtains to remove any trapped dust and allergens. Compound the extra dust with the fact that all the windows and doors stay closed and you're likely to start having a reaction faster.
Clean Windows
Often neglected during the winter because the curtains are drawn, your windows still need attention. Winter weather can leave windows looking dull and dirty. Use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean windows and mirrors, and consider using a squeegee for a streak-free finish.
Sanitize Surfaces
Winter is here and that means... Cold and Flu Season! Cold and flu season is in full swing during the winter, making it the ideal time to sanitize frequently-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and keyboards. This is twice as important if you have a child who is currently in school or day care. Sanitize every frequently touch surface at least once a week to keep your household happy and healthy.
Clean the Oven
The oven gets more use during the colder months. If you turn on your oven and start to smell something burning, you know its time for a good deep clean. All those surfaces get layers of grease and grime building up over time and need some elbow grease to get clean. Keeping your oven clean not only keeps the house smelling better while cooking, it also makes it safer to use. While most ovens don't use direct flame to heat your food, grease and build-up can catch fire. Cleaning at least once a year can help avoid such a catastrophic situation.
Organize Your Closet
Every six months, I like to do a thorough cleaning of our closets. Shoes, clothes, belts, and miscellaneous stuff seems to pile up quick when it isn't seen at all times. The first step that I take is to turn all the clothes hangers backwards. In 6 months, if it hasn't flipped to the correct orientation I donate it. If you haven't worn an article of clothes in 6 months, chances are you don't need it! There are obvious exceptions like sweaters in the summer or dress clothes that get worn infrequently. Consider organizing your shoes with an over the door shoe organizer
Tackle the Bathrooms
Winter is a great time to give your bathrooms a deep clean, including the toilet, shower, bathtub, sink, grout, caulking and floor. Moisture in the bathroom is inevitable, which leads to mold and mildew build up. Shower liners, caulking, grout, walls and ceilings are spots that mold and mildew tends to build up the most. Depending on how tough the build up becomes, you might have to repaint, caulk, or grout. Keeping an eye on mold and mildew can help you avoid these time consuming projects.
Winter can be tough. The cold weather can keep you stuck indoors more than you'd want, leading to cabin fever and in some cases seasonal depression. Do your best in the form of self-care and use your time wisely. Winter can be the perfect time to tackle those deep cleaning tasks that often get overlooked during the rest of the year. By utilizing the tips discussed in this blog post, you can turn your indoor time into an opportunity to declutter, sanitize, and improve the overall appearance of your home. From organizing your closet to cleaning hard-to-reach areas, taking the time to deep clean now will help ensure that your home is ready to welcome spring with open arms. So why not use the winter weather as an excuse to get started on your deep cleaning journey today?
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