Once the new year begins rolling around, you may start to feel the itch of Spring Fever. The stale, stagnant air in your home, coupled with the muddy, dirty boots by the door may have you going crazy to clean. Well, winter is an excellent time to dive into some deep cleaning projects.
After all, it is cold and flu season as well, so cleaning is never more important. And cleaning may be just what you need to burn off some energy – or crank up the music and include the kids to make it into some quality family time. If it’s too difficult to get the family to clean, we offer cleaning services in DC.
Chimney
Why not start at the top and get your chimney cleaned? This is especially important if you have been burning firewood. Some people wait until the end of the season, but there’s nothing saying you can’t do it now, especially if you’ve put it off for more than a year.
Hire a professional for this messy job that should be done annually, whether or not you use your chimney. Debris, dirt, build-up, and even critters can get into the flue, creating fire hazards or blockages that cause smoke to enter the house. While you’re at it, check your smoke detectors for proper function and charged batteries.
Declutter
While staying inside and out of the cold, pull out some boxes from storage and go through them. Sort what is no longer needed and donate, recycle, or throw away. Often we discover that boxes in the basement or attic contain old baby clothes or items we had good intentions to put to use and never did. Take some time to get rid of anything that is not valuable or useful.
Replace Furnace Filters
This is now a good time to change furnace filters, especially if you didn’t have a pre-season tune-up. Filters should be replaced every 3-6 months depending on your unit. The filters help reduce the dust in the air, keeping it out of your lungs and off of household surfaces. Less dusting and better air quality? Yes, please!
Clean the Dryer Vents
Lint build-up in the dryer vents can become a fire hazard. Pull the dryer away from the wall and sweep or vacuum up any rogue lint. Take the dryer hose off and clear it out using a vacuum as well.
Deep Clean the Kitchen
Deep cleaning the kitchen can easily be a family project. Start with the refrigerator and throw out anything expired or never used. Wipe down the shelves and interior walls. Remove drawers and wipe or rinse them out. Carefully pull the fridge out from the wall and clean behind and under it. Gently brush any dust or debris from the coils with a cloth or special vacuum attachment.
Sort through the pantry and/or cabinets as well, removing crumbs and expired goods. Wipe cabinet shelves and the front surfaces of the cabinets, including the hardware. Replace shelf paper, if desired.
Deep clean your stove, oven, and backsplashes with a degreaser. Soak the stove surface and/or any drip pans in hot soapy water to lift grime.
Winter is a great time to deep clean – there is no reason to wait for spring cleaning! If you want to keep your home clean year-round, A Cleaning Service is an award-winning cleaning company serving the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas and would love to earn your trust. Read our reviews, then call us for a quote today. Let us help you keep your home healthy for every season with regular cleanings or a deep clean, so you can focus on the tasks and relationships that matter to you!