Winter is a season when many people spend more time indoors, and it’s also a time of year when certain home maintenance and cleaning tasks make the most sense. Below are a few examples of winter cleaning tasks, some of which are summarized from an article by Heather Levin in U.S. News. We’ve added our own tips to the mix.

Furnace Cleaning: Most homeowners are aware that it’s important to have the furnace professionally serviced before the start of winter. But did you know it’s also important to change the filter once a month, and to maintain a clean, dust-free area around the furnace?

Air Duct Cleaning: We’ve talked before on this blog about how the indoor environment changes when you close the winters during winter. If you haven’t had your air ducts cleaned in two years or longer, give COIT a call today so we can schedule an Air Duct Cleaning Service for you. Clean air ducts will operate more efficiently and won’t re-circulate mold, dust, and other contaminants through your home.

Dust: Because your windows are closed more often, dust can build up on home surfaces during winter. This is a good time to do more than an average weekly dusting. Remember light fixtures, ceiling fans, television sets, desks, bookshelves, picture and photo frames, and other surfaces that are likely to collect dust. If you’re planning some time for thorough dusting tasks – such as removing all of the books from a bookshelf and dusting the entire surface – play some great music or a favorite movie in the background so you won’t rush through the job. You might need something like this professional expandable cobweb duster to clean your out-of-reach spaces.

Floor and Carpet Cleaning: Winter can be a tough time for your floors, no matter what climate you live in. Not only is there more dust in the house in general, but also you and your family members are likely tracking everything from dirt and mud to snow in from the outdoors. Stay on top of things by sweeping and vacuuming floors regularly, and consider scheduling a Professional Carpet Cleaning Service to keep carpets free of ground-in dirt. Some COIT locations now offer a Wood Floor Cleaning Service to help keep wood floors clean and shining all year.

Clean the Kitchen Ceiling: The U.S. News article notes that winter can be a good time to clean the kitchen ceiling, which has likely become stained from moisture, fumes, and smoke over time. The article offers advice on how to clean the ceiling with the help of dish soap and a bucket of warm water.

Tile and Grout: Tile and Grout are notoriously difficult to clean, and the winter months are no exception, especially if you have a tiled floor in the kitchen with a nearby door to the outside, or if closed windows in the bathroom lead to increased moisture and humidity. COIT offers a Tile and Grout Cleaning Service that will keep your tile surfaces, grout lines and tiled countertops clean and fresh. Our powerful truck-mounted cleaning system safely removes dirt and contaminants, and our Tile Cleaning and Grout Cleaning process uses heat, a specialized cleaning solution, and vacuum power to remove the dirt that most homeowners can't. We complete the job with a high-pressure rinse. After cleaning your tile and grout, our professional technicians apply a penetrating sealer to protect grout against mildew and staining for up to two years. And if you have colored grout, COIT offers a special Grout Color Sealing process to protect it.

If you need help with your winter cleaning tasks, call 1-800-FOR-COIT today. We’ll be happy to schedule any professional cleaning services that will complement your efforts and help you maintain a clean, healthy home all winter.