All the Winter Cleaning and Organization Tasks You Should Tackle Before the New Year
I hate winter. I hate this so much. Besides Christmas, my birthday, and the occasional joy of a trip to the skating rink, I consider every day a struggle against the cold and the dark. Suffice it to say that in winter I often stay at home.
In the summer I’m outside so much that I forget what my apartment looks like, but in the winter I’m deeply aware of all its quirks and contours. That’s why I take winter cleaning so seriously. If I’m stuck at home, I might be fine there. To this end, I always do some pre-winter cleaning and organization to ensure my shelter is comfortable and functional while I hide. Here’s what I do (and what I recommend you do) to get your home in shape for winter.
The best time to clean and prepare for winter
Since you’re doing all of this to prepare for a specific season, I don’t recommend combining winterization tasks into a permanent schedule (like one you might use for weekly maintenance). Instead, take one day to get everything done and out of the way. Set aside time in your schedule to schedule other cleaning tasks for the day.
Remove seasonal items, such as summer clothes.
I’m a big believer in efficiency. When I open my closet to pull out a wool dress and thick tights, I don’t have to dig through all my shorts and T-shirts. Rotating seasonal clothing so it doesn’t clutter my closet is a key step I take each season.
Besides leasing a storage unit (which I fully support if you can justify it and afford it), you have a few options . My advice is to store off-season clothes in your luggage, which already take up a lot of closet space. If you have a lot of things to put away, you can put them in vacuum storage bags, which will help you compress a large volume of soft items so they take up significantly less space.
Take the time to move other items around the house as well. For example, in the summer I usually keep sunscreen and tanning lotion near the front door so I can grab it on the way out, but in the winter I put it under the bathroom sink.
If you make a lot of hearty stews or hearty meals during the colder months, place these ingredients at the front of your cabinet. Pull-out organizers are a good way to avoid distractions from this chore because they make it easy to see and access ingredients or other seasonal items without having to pull everything out of the cabinet one by one.
Also change blankets and bedding: lighter ones can be stored under the bed or in the aforementioned vacuum bags. Start your winter cleaning day by throwing some heavy blankets in the wash, and end it by laying them out on the bed or couch where they’ll be for the next few months.
Clean the radiator and other vents.
Cleaning your radiator is important for both your safety and comfort. A dirty radiator can cause unpleasant odors, which is not something you want to deal with on a cozy night. Depending on the type of radiator, you can use compressed air or a hair dryer tilted slightly upward to blow away the dust. and debris from its innards. Using a brush also works, but be careful not to push the dirt deeper inside. From there, you can sweep or vacuum up anything that falls out.
Do the same for the vents. Throw vent covers into a bathtub or sink filled with warm, soapy water and vacuum any vents you can reach. And replace your HVAC filters while you’re at it.
Clean the fireplace
Cleaning your fireplace before you use it extensively is important to both maintain its functionality and ensure its safe use. Even if you’ve already lit one this winter, it’s worth reconsidering (if at least 24 hours have passed since the last fire). Lay down a rag, scoop everything out of the firebox with a shovel (usually included in your fireplace accessory kit, but any small shovel will do) and use a broom to wipe away any remaining soot and debris. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water and wipe the inside. While you’re there, look for any cracks or problems—and call a professional if you notice any. Likewise, call a chimney sweep if it has been a long time since the last thorough cleaning. (There are many things you can DIY around your home, but I’m a firm believer in outsourcing any fire or electrical related tasks.)
Organize large household appliances
The arrival of the colder months is the best time to clean behind large appliances. I cook more in the winter than I do in the summer, so I like to get all the debris and crumbs behind the oven before I inevitably make the problem worse. You don’t have to rip everything off the wall either: drain snakes, flat mops like Swiffers, and even a cloth wrapped around a stick will help you get under and behind everything. ( I even have a collection of methods that will save you the grueling work of cleaning.)
Clean and turn over ceiling fans.
You will have to clean your ceiling fans every season, but this obviously results in dust getting onto the floor, so save this task for the end of the day. Use the pillowcase method , which involves placing a pillowcase over each blade and pulling it towards the end to allow dust to fall into the case, then wiping the blades and attachments with a damp sponge. While you’re there, reverse the direction of rotation of the blades, which will help keep your rooms warm in winter .
Take out the vacuum cleaner to suck up any collected dust, as well as dust accumulated from winter cleaning. Take those winter blankets and bedding out of the dryer, put them where they belong, and settle into your now cozier home for the coming colder months.