23 Winter Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Home Fresh All Season

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Imagine for a second:

  • Cutting down on germs on high-touch spots by cleaning them 2 times a week
  • Saving money on repairs by changing a $10 furnace filter before it clogs
  • Reducing mess at the door by keeping boots and wet shoes in one set spot

This is how you pull it off…

1. Wash All Throw Blankets And Fold Them Back Fresh

Cold months mean blankets get used every night, and crumbs and pet hair build up fast, babe.

Start This Way: Toss all throw blankets into the washer today and fold them back in one neat stack on the couch.

It will take less time if you use laundry mesh bags to wash small blankets without tangling.

2. Vacuum Under Area Rugs And Put Them Back Flat

Dirt hides under rugs all winter, especially near the couch and front door where boots sit.

Here’s What To Do: Roll each rug halfway, vacuum the floor under it, then flip and repeat before laying it back flat.

3. Wipe Down Baseboards In The Living Room

Baseboards catch dust and heater air blows it right back into the room, girl.

Use This Simple Trick: Wrap a damp cloth around a butter knife and run it along the top edge in one slow pass.

4. Clean The Entryway Floor Where Wet Shoes Sit

Salt, mud, and snow melt turn that one spot by the door into a sticky mess.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Sweep and mop just the 3-foot area by the door instead of the whole room.

This gets faster if you use a spin mop bucket system to rinse and wring in one step.

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5. Shake Out And Wash All Winter Doormats

Doormats hold onto dirt that gets tracked back inside every single day.

Give This A Try: Take all mats outside, shake them hard, then run washable ones through a quick cycle.

6. Clear Off The Top Of The Fridge

The top of the fridge collects grease and dust you barely notice until it feels sticky.

The Easy First Step Is: Climb up safely and wipe the entire top with a warm soapy cloth right now.

7. Wash Pillowcases Twice A Week During Cold Season

During winter colds, pillowcases hold onto sweat and germs longer than you think, bestie.

Consider This: Swap pillowcases every 3 days and keep a small basket of clean ones in your closet.

8. Clean The Inside Of The Microwave After Heavy Use

Soup splashes and reheated leftovers leave dried spots that harden fast.

Here’s A Quick Way: Heat a bowl of water for 2 minutes, then wipe the inside while the steam loosens grime.

This feels easier if you use microwave steam cleaner pods to loosen stuck food faster.

9. Wipe Down Light Switches And Door Handles

Hands touch these spots all day long, especially during sick season.

The Most Doable Way Is: Use a disinfecting wipe and hit every switch and handle in one quick loop around the house.

10. Declutter The Coat Closet And Remove Extra Jackets

Coat closets get packed tight, and then nothing fits right anymore.

Start Small With This: Pull out every coat, keep only what fits and gets worn, and donate the rest today.

11. Clean The Car Mats And Let Them Dry

Snowy boots bring salt into the car, and that smell sticks around.

Here’s A Simpler First Move: Remove car mats, hose them off outside, and let them dry before putting them back.

12. Vacuum Couch Cushions And Under Them

Crumbs and tiny toys love hiding under couch cushions all winter long.

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If You’re Not Sure Where To Start: Lift one cushion at a time and vacuum both the cushion and the base underneath.

This is less annoying when you use a handheld vacuum to grab crumbs fast without dragging out a big machine.

13. Wash Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable bags sit in the trunk and collect spills and dirt.

Here’s A Gentle Way To Start: Turn them inside out and run them through the washer on a quick cycle.

14. Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fan Covers

Steam builds up in winter showers and leaves dust stuck to the fan cover.

The Easier Approach Is: Remove the cover carefully and rinse it in warm water with a little soap.

15. Toss Expired Pantry Items From Holiday Cooking

After holidays, half-used baking mixes and cans get pushed to the back.

Instead, Try This: Pull everything out of one shelf and check dates before putting items back in order.

16. Wipe Down The Front Of Kitchen Cabinets

Grease from cooking sticks to cabinet doors, even if it looks clean at first glance.

One Thing That Helps Is: Use a damp cloth with mild soap and wipe each door from top to bottom.

17. Sanitize Kids Backpacks After Snowy Days

Backpacks touch wet floors and bus seats every day in winter.

The Easy Starting Point Is: Empty each bag fully and wipe the inside and straps with a disinfecting cloth.

18. Replace Furnace Filter Before Peak Heating

Clogged filters make the heater work harder and raise energy bills.

Begin With This: Turn off the unit, slide out the old filter, and replace it with the correct size.

It will be so much easier if you use a pleated air furnace filter to improve airflow and reduce dust.

19. Wash Pet Beds And Blankets

Pet beds hold fur and winter smells that spread around the room.

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To Make This Feel More Doable: Strip the cover and wash it while vacuuming the foam insert.

20. Clean Window Sills And Tracks

Closed windows still collect dust and dead bugs in the tracks.

Here’s A Low-Stress Way: Use a small brush to loosen dirt, then wipe with a damp cloth.

This takes less time if you use a window track cleaning brush to reach tight corners.

21. Empty Trash Cans And Rinse Them Outside

Trash cans can smell even when a new bag goes in.

Do It Like This: Take each can outside, rinse with a hose, and let it dry before bringing it back in.

22. Organize Winter Boots On A Tray By The Door

Boots scattered by the door make the entry look messy fast.

To Make This Feel Less Heavy: Place a sturdy tray near the door and line boots up in one row.

23. Walk Through Each Room And Remove 5 Items That Do Not Belong

Clutter builds up slowly in winter when everyone stays inside more.

One Easy Reset Is: Grab a laundry basket and remove 5 items from each room that belong somewhere else.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)