Most of us feel a deep seeded need to clean our homes out in the springtime after the long winter months have passed. However, winter is also a crucial time to give your house a good clean since you and your family will be spending more time indoors with the windows shut tight.
The EPA claims that indoor air quality is five times more polluted than outdoor air. This is no surprise, since we rarely ventilate our homes in the winter and rely on heating systems to blow warm air to keep us warm.
Keeping your home clean this winter will ensure that your house is well-maintained and provide healthier air quality.
Here are 5 tips to keeping your home clean and healthy this winter:
1. Replace Your Air Filters
Your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) filters should be changed every three months, especially so during the winter months. Air filters are designed to trap dust particles that circulate through your heating system.
When the filters are not cleaned, dust and allergens are blown throughout your home. Dust will collect on your floors and your furniture and your air will not be as clean.
Dirty filters also prevents steady air flow from your heating system, which causes the furnace to work harder. This increase in effort will wear down your furnace quicker as well as require more energy to operate. Because of this, you may notice an increase in your electricity bill.
When you replace your air filters, you should also remove the ventilation covers and soak them in a solution of hot water and mild soap.
You may also want to consider hiring an HVAC specialist to professionally clean your vents and ducts. A professional cleaning will remove excess build up and ensure proper air flow. It will remove allergens from potentially circulating around your home all winter.
2. Invest In a Sturdy Doormat
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can stop dirt from entering your home by investing in a sturdy doormat by your main door.
Depending on the layout of your home, you can also encourage family members and visitors to remove their outdoor footwear before entering your home. Some houses are built with mudrooms. These are small spaces or entryways where footwear can be removed before entering a house.
If you can easily access your home through your garage, this may be an ideal place to remove footwear as well.
3. Get Into the Nooks and Crannies
Because more dirt is likely to circulate around your home during the winter time, it is a great time to give your house a good deep clean.
Haul out large pieces of furniture, such as your couch and fridge, and clean out any dust or dirt accumulated there. Don’t forget about the tops of door, bookcases and lighting fixtures. Cleaning your light covers will give you the added benefit of having more light during the dark winter months.
Paying attention to your upholstered furniture is important as well. Use a handheld vacuum to suck up any dust or allergens that have settled into these high-traffic fabrics.
Need a professional hand getting into those nooks and crannies? Our extensively trained cleaning technicians are ready to perform a detailed dusting of your home. Contact us today!
4. Purge and Organize
With winter comes a pile of winter accessories such as coats, boots, hats, mitten and scarves. These items can easily pile up around your home if they are not organized. If you have young children, you may also have outgrown gear laying around.
As the cold weather sets in, this is the perfect time to start sorting through and purging winter clothing that no longer fits, is worn out or is simply no longer needed. It’s also a great opportunity to toss out gloves and mittens that are missing their mates.
Having storage space specifically designated to winter accessories will make organizing them much easier. Keep baskets or totes by the door to store hats, gloves and scarves – this way, you can easily pack away the baskets and totes once the cold months of winter have passed.
5. Keep Your Floors Clean
No matter the effort you make to stop dirt in its tracks at the door, some sand and grit are going to make their way into your home. These substances can be detrimental to tile and wood floors. Before any damage occurs to your flooring, maintain a regular sweeping and mopping schedule.
If you have carpet, be sure to vacuum up sand and grit as well. Not only will this keep the dirt from settling into the fibers of your carpets but also prevent it from tracking around the house as well.
When you clean your floors, be sure to use a strong floor cleaner. Even with the best of elbow-grease, spotting from salt and grit will end up on your floor. A good cleaner will keep your floors looking clean during the winter months.
Ready to Clean Your Home This Winter?
Imagine coming home to a sparkling clean home after the end of a long winter’s day. Dust Queen offers affordable and flexible services to keep your home clean this winter. We are committed to completing your work in a timely and efficient manner.