Contact COIT for a professional cleaning!
When the days get shorter and the nights grow colder, home becomes more than just the place you live—it’s your sanctuary.
A clean, organized home not only feels comforting on frosty evenings, but it also keeps your family healthier during months when you’re indoors more often. Winter brings unique cleaning challenges like dry air, tracked-in snow, seasonal clutter, and if you wait too long, small problems can turn into big ones.
That’s where a well-planned winter cleaning list comes in. As cleaning and restoration experts, we’ve spent decades helping homeowners prepare for the colder months. In this guide, we’ll walk through every room, every corner, and every task that makes a difference in your comfort, safety, and peace of mind.
1. Start with a Seasonal Declutter
Winter cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing, it’s also about creating space for comfort. Start by walking through each room with three bags or bins labeled donate, toss, and store.
We recommend tackling storage-heavy areas first: coat closets, entryway benches, kitchen cupboards, and your garage. If you didn’t use an item last winter, you probably don’t need it this year. Donate gently used coats, gloves, and blankets to local charities before the temperatures drop as they’ll make an immediate difference for someone in need.
COIT Pro Tip: Decluttering before you deep clean saves you time because fewer items mean fewer surfaces to dust and less to move when you’re vacuuming or mopping.
2. Indoor Cleaning & Organization
Once you’ve cleared the clutter, it’s time to focus on creating a clean, dust-free indoor environment. Winter means more time inside, and that means more exposure to dust, dander, and germs.
Dust from Top to Bottom
Start with ceiling fans (yes, even in winter—they collect dust whether or not they’re spinning), crown molding, and high shelves. Work your way down to baseboards and floors.
Vacuum and Wash Floors
Winter brings wet boots, salt, and mud indoors, so make sure to vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter to trap allergens. For hard floors, use a pH-neutral cleaner to prevent damage to wood or tile finishes.
Wash Walls and Doors
You’d be surprised how much grime collects on your walls, especially near light switches and doorways. A gentle all-purpose cleaner and a soft cloth will remove dirt without stripping paint.
Deep Clean Carpets and Rugs
Winter is the perfect time to schedule a professional carpet cleaning. Carpets act like filters, trapping dust, pet dander, and bacteria, and our hot water extraction method lifts away what regular vacuuming can’t reach, leaving your carpets fresher and healthier.
3. Kitchen Deep Clean
Cold weather calls for hearty soups, baked casseroles, and warm drinks, which means your kitchen works overtime in winter. Give it a deep clean now so cooking season is a joy, not a chore.
- Appliances: Pull out your fridge and stove to vacuum coils, wipe walls, and clean underneath.
- Oven & Microwave: Degrease interiors and remove stubborn spills. For microwaves, steam-clean with a bowl of water and lemon juice.
- Dishwasher: Run a cycle with a cup of white vinegar, then scrub the filter to keep it smelling fresh.
- Cabinets & Drawers: Wipe shelves, toss expired pantry items, and store baking supplies in airtight containers.
COIT Pro Tip: Pay special attention to your refrigerator gasket (the rubber seal that keeps the cold air in). Clean it with warm, soapy water to maintain a tight seal and improve energy efficiency.
4. Bedrooms & Living Spaces
Winter is the season for movie nights under blankets, but those blankets can trap allergens if they’re not cleaned regularly.
Freshen Up Bedding
Wash comforters, duvet covers, and pillow shams. If your pillows are machine-washable, launder them too. Flip and rotate your mattresses to extend their life, and vacuum both sides to remove dust mites.
Upholstery & Curtains
Fabric furniture holds onto odors and allergens, so vacuum your couches and chairs thoroughly, and consider a professional upholstery cleaning for any stubborn spots. Curtains should be either machine-washed (if the fabric allows) or vacuumed with an upholstery attachment.
Declutter Surfaces
Clear your coffee tables, nightstands, and bookshelves of items you don’t use daily. The less you have out, the easier it is to dust and keep clean all season.
5. Fresh & Sanitized Bathrooms
Bathrooms can quickly turn into germ hotspots in the winter as closed windows and humidity from hot showers help mold and mildew grow faster.
- Shower & Tub: Scrub tile and grout with a mold-fighting cleaner. For stubborn grout stains, a professional tile and grout cleaning will restore the original color.
- Fixtures: Polish faucets and showerheads to remove mineral buildup.
- Floors: Mop with an antibacterial cleaner and place non-slip mats near tubs and showers.
- Ventilation: Clean exhaust fans to improve airflow and prevent moisture buildup.
6. Safety & Seasonal Maintenance
A true winter cleaning list goes beyond dusting and mopping and should also protect your home and family from seasonal hazards.
Check Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Replace batteries and test each unit. Winter heating sources increase the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
Inspect Fire Extinguishers
Make sure they’re easy to access and haven’t expired.
Chimney & Fireplace
Schedule a chimney sweep before your first fire of the season. A clean chimney reduces the risk of chimney fires and improves indoor air quality.
Furnace & Filters
Replace your filters to keep your heating system efficient and indoor air clean. For better performance, consider air duct cleaning to remove built-up dust and allergens.
7. Laundry Room & Utility Spaces
The laundry room and utility spaces are often-overlooked areas that are actually prime spots for dust and lint buildup.
- Dryer Vents: Clean the lint from both the lint trap and the vent hose to reduce fire risk.
- Washer: Run a hot cycle with vinegar or a washing machine cleaner to remove detergent residue and odors.
- Storage Shelves: Wipe down surfaces and store cleaning supplies safely out of children’s reach.
8. Outdoor & Garage Prep
Even if you don’t spend much time outside in winter, outdoor maintenance now will save you trouble later.
Gutter Cleaning
Clear leaves and debris to prevent ice dams, which can cause roof leaks.
Snow & Ice Tools
Check that your shovels, snow blowers, and salt are all ready before the first storm.
Outdoor Furniture
Clean and store your outdoor cushions and cover your furniture with waterproof covers or move it indoors.
Lighting
Replace burnt-out bulbs in outdoor fixtures for safety on dark evenings.
9. Emergency & Storm Preparedness
Winter storms can lead to power outages, icy roads, and unexpected home repairs. A little preparation now means less panic later.
Create an emergency kit with:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- First-aid supplies
- Blankets and warm clothing
- Backup phone chargers
Store it somewhere easy to reach.
Winter Cleaning FAQs
Q: What is the best winter cleaning schedule?
A: We recommend doing a deep clean at the start of the season, then spot-cleaning weekly. Reserve certain tasks like carpet cleaning or air duct cleaning for once or twice per year for best results.
Q: Should I clean my carpets before or after winter?
A: Both have benefits. Cleaning your carpets before winter removes allergens and dust before you spend more time indoors while cleaning them after winter removes salt, dirt, and spills from the season.
Q: Can I wash my house exterior in winter?
A: Yes, you can wash your house exterior in winter, but only on days above freezing. Make sure to use the right equipment or hire a professional to avoid any ice hazards.
Your Winter Cleaning List
Winter can be the coziest time of year if your home is ready for it. A thorough cleaning now means fewer chores later, better indoor air quality, and a safer, warmer space for your family.
At COIT, we’ve been helping homeowners with seasonal cleaning for more than 70 years. Whether you need carpets, upholstery, air ducts, or tile cleaned, we bring the tools, techniques, and care to make winter cleaning easy.
Schedule your professional winter cleaning today and enjoy the season from the comfort of a fresh, spotless home.
