Outside, the hint of snow blows in the air. The logs are crackling in the fireplace filling your home with deep warmth. The kitchen is filled with the fresh scent of cookies baking in the oven. It’s a time for joy and sharing, for laughter and celebrations. More importantly, it’s time to prepare your home for the upcoming harsh weather and the many guests you’ll be hosting. Let Rain City Maids show you how to protect your home with this winter house cleaning checklist.
Check/Replace Filters
When preparing for winter, it’s crucial to check and replace your furnace filters. By replacing the filter, you provide a better performance, comfort, energy efficiency, and better indoor air quality for your home. This also helps reduce the number of pollutants in the air as well as dust accumulation.
Clean Air Ducts
Undertaking winter house cleaning may seem like a daunting task; however, preventative maintenance will save you money and sorrow in the end. This is why cleaning your air ducts are an excellent precaution to take before turning on your thermostat for the first time. By cleaning your HVAC system you are removing pet dander and allergens, improving indoor air quality, providing energy savings, and creating prolonged maintenance.
Seal Windows
Another way to save energy costs is to seal your windows. Not only do you keep the cold out but you keep the money in. For a seasonal solution, weather-stripping is a non-permanent way to keep out the cold. Plastic sheeting is also another solution that is removable come spring. Blackout curtains also add a layer of protection against the cold while providing a level of elegance to your home.
Rubber Mats
Place rubber mats at each entryway. A rubber mat provides better debris and snow removal than a traditional because it is a scraping mat versus a wiping mat. The rubber mats are waterproof and tend to be raised with grooves to let snow and water pass through. With a rubber mat, you are able to reduce the number of winter travels into your home.
Space Heaters
Another clever trick to keep Old Man Winter outside is to place a small, child-proof space heater by your main entrance to dry any wet residue that may enter your home. There are many low energy floor heaters available on the market with several safety features, such as a thermostat, a timer, a long power cord, remote control, handle, and most importantly automatic shut off if knocked over. Keeping a space heater near the entrance helps to dry up wet messes and makes for easier cleaning and fewer accidents.
Remove/Cover Air Conditioners
Another potential high energy cost is your air conditioner. If possible, remove your air conditioners and store them in a dry, clean room for the winter. Make sure to cover them properly to prevent any collection of dust or rodents. If you’re unable to remove your window air conditioner then take care to cover them with the appropriate cover for your unit. This will keep out the cold, unwanted rodents and bugs, debris, and ice.
Check Pipes/Insulation
Imagine waking up one morning with no running water to discover your pipes are frozen. Worry not, there is a solution! Just before winter hits take time to check the insulation in your home, especially around your plumbing. As water freezes, it expands. Pipes exposed to the cold should be reinforced with extra insulation or exposed to other heating sources.
Emergency Power Outage Kit
Winter time is not immune to power outages. When Jack Frost comes howling in from the north sometimes his nature is so powerful it knocks out the electricity. When this happens it’s important to be prepared. Set aside extra blankets, non-perishable food, a case of bottled water, flashlights and batteries, a generator (if possible), meds, first aid kit, and chargers. Remember to unplug your electronics and call your power company as soon as possible.As fall sheds its last leaf and the northern winds blow deeply across the nation, ready yourself for a new season full of festivities. Step outside and smell the faint crispness of the clean air and know that winter is not far off. As the children pile up the leaves, you sigh as you return inside. However, with your winter house cleaning checklist in hand, you’re ready to brave any guest and any storm.
