Everyone understands the benefits of spring deep cleaning, right? But did you know that there are certain things you should attend to every winter? Together you and your professional cleaning crew can tackle these tasks. Doing so ensures specific components of your house perform efficiently, thus saving you money on energy costs. Follow these 10 pro deep cleaning tips to remove dirt from hard-to-reach places, make sure your home is well-maintained and improve indoor air quality this winter.
Replace Air Filters and Clean the Furnace
Every winter, replace your air filters and consider having your air ducts and vents professionally cleaned. According to the EPA, it is best to replace filters at least every three months. We recommend more often in months where you use your HVAC heavily, like summer and winter. It not only makes sure the air stays clean but ensures steady airflow. Furthermore, replacing your air filters also help reduce on furniture and floors. Cleaning your ducts and vents also clears away excessive build-up; once again ensure proper airflow. It also removes allergens which can get trapped within your home and cause issues all year long. These are essential deep cleaning tips for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
If your gas and electric bills have started to rise, your home is not a consistent temperature in all rooms, or the burner flame on your furnace is yellow instead of blue, it may be time to replace your furnace.
Clean Behind the Fridge
At least once a year, pull your fridge away from the wall. Clean not only the wall and floor but the refrigerator coils. Dirty coils affect energy efficiency and could increase your energy costs from $5 to $10 a month. While this seems insignificant, it adds up. For safety, always unplug your refrigerator before deep cleaning and any maintenance. You may need to pull the fridge out to reach the coils gently, so make sure to vacuum behind the refrigerator while you have access. Use a condenser coil brush or specialized vacuum attachment to scrub away unwanted dirt and dust, and then use a damp rag to remove any stubborn debris.
Reduce the Clutter
The more clutter is laying around, the more items to get dirty and dusty. If nothing else, consider seasonal storage — no need to have swim gear laying around in winter, or snow boots in the summer. Go through your home room-by-room and assess if you need to declutter certain spaces for the winter. If you haven’t used an item within the past three months, you probably don’t need it. Please put it in an out-of-the-way storage space or donate it to your local thrift store.
Clean the Dryer Vents
We professionally clean dryer vents. Lint build-up in dryer vents can be a significant fire hazard, especially in the dry winter months. Remove any lint that has accumulated during the year by pulling the dryer out from the wall, disconnecting the back pipe and cleaning the outlet hole and pipe thoroughly. Use a vacuum or invest in a dryer vent snake to remove lint from the dryer vents. Once you have gotten most of the dust-out, run the dryer to flush any loose dust.
Deep Clean the Kitchen
While you are winter cleaning, it is a great time to organize and dust out drawers and cabinets. It is also ideal for cleaning and organizing your pantry. Get rid of any expired foods or damages Tupperware that is missing lids. De-grime backsplashes and hood vents. You don’t typically open windows in winter, so cleaning these items could help reduce strong cooking odours. These are all perfect annual services for your professional cleaners.
Steam Carpets and Furniture
Winter weather brings with it cold, snowy and mud. While you may think steam cleaning in winter is counterintuitive, we urge you not to let the stains settle. Address them the right way, and they are much easier to clean up. Rent or buy a steam cleaner to refresh your carpets, couches and chair cushions. For older carpets that require a serious deep cleaning service because of stains or pet odors, try hiring a professional for a more intensive carpet shampooing treatment.
Clean Windows
Cleaning your windows brightens the house — a significant component for fighting the winter blues. Winter is also an ideal time to launder all window treatments which can hold on to allergens and dust. Scrub both the insides and outsides of your windows to let in more light and brighten up your home. Nix the chemical-heavy store-bought cleaners and mix up a batch of an all-natural window washing solution instead.
Also, take the opportunity to clean window treatments like curtains and valences, which can hold an unhealthy amount of dust and allergens.
Chimney Sweep
Maintaining your chimney is essential. It not only reduces the risk of chimney fires but ensures the air in your home is healthy. Professional services are your best route for safe cleaning with minimal impact on the rest of the house’s cleanliness.
Flush Out Sink Drains
Clogged pipes can become a problem during winter months. Improperly draining pipes can freeze and burst, leading to costly water damage and repairs. White vinegar or baking soda is a safe, non-toxic way of flushing out drains. Add a pleasant scent to the drains by mixing in lemon juice, then use hot water to wash it down.
Clean and Degrease the Oven
In colder months, your oven probably sees a lot of action. With Holiday cooking and baking, plus preparing comfort foods for chilly days, it can become quite a sticky mess. Cleaning your oven prevents smoking and fires and reduces strong food odors. Use the self-cleaning function on the oven (or create a homemade, nontoxic mixture) to remove grease and burnt food from your oven.
With the cooler weather keeping you and your family indoors this winter, making sure your home is clean, decluttered and maintained is more important than ever. Start the year off right by checking these essential deep cleaning tips off of your to-do list and spend more time doing what matters: enjoying time with family and friends in your guest-worthy home.
If you are searching for professional house cleaning services in Toronto, look no further contact Squeaky Cleaning today and get the job done!
Squeaky Cleaning
300 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 0E9, Canada
+1 647-799-1075
Open 24 hours