20 Things You Should Clean After Winter

Once warmer weather arrives, give the places that worked hardest all winter some attention. Wash heavy bedding before storing it, clean winter grime from your entryway, vacuum underneath furniture, tackle window tracks, and clean outdoor spaces before you start using them again. Work through these jobs a few at a time as you transition your home from winter to spring.

Key takeaways

• Clean entryways, floors, and other areas that collected mud, salt, and winter dirt.
• Wash winter bedding, blankets, coats, and other washable seasonal items before storing them.
• Vacuum dust and pet hair from furniture, mattresses, baseboards, vents, and hidden areas.
• Clean windows, screens, and tracks before opening windows regularly again.
• Check patios, outdoor furniture, grills, and other exterior spaces before using them for the season.
• Clean winter gear before storing it, and make sure everything is completely dry.
• Use spring cleaning as an opportunity to declutter things you didn’t use during winter.

1. Entryway floors

Your entryway may have spent months collecting whatever came in on winter shoes and boots. Start by moving shoes, baskets, mats, and other belongings so you can clean the entire floor. Vacuum or sweep first, paying attention to corners and baseboards, then clean the flooring according to its care instructions.

2. Door mats

Your door mats deserve some care for keeping at least part of winter off your floors. Shake or vacuum loose dirt from indoor mats, then wash them according to their care instructions if they’re washable. Clean outdoor mats as well, removing dried mud, leaves, and other debris.

Check the condition while you’re cleaning. If a mat is falling apart or no longer trapping much dirt, it may be ready for replacement.

3. Coat closet

By spring, your coat closet can be packed with boots, scarves, hats, gloves, heavy coats, and miscellaneous winter gear. Take everything out so you can vacuum or sweep the floor and dust the shelves. Wipe down storage bins, shoe racks, and other organizers before putting anything back.

Don’t automatically return every winter item, though. Set aside coats and accessories that are damaged, outgrown, or no longer worn. Donate usable items, and clean the things you’re keeping before storing them for next winter.

4. Winter coats

Don’t shove a dirty winter coat into the back of the closet for six months. Check pockets first, then clean each coat according to its care label. Some coats can be machine washed, while others require special cleaning. Make sure to address any stains and make any needed repairs before storage.

5. Winter accessories

Gather hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, earmuffs, and other winter accessories instead of letting them slowly disappear into closets and drawers. Wash washable items according to their care labels. This is also a good time to get rid of items that no longer fit or that nobody wore all winter.

6. Winter boots

Winter boots can carry an impressive amount of dirt into the house. Remove loose dirt and debris, then clean the exterior according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Different materials, including leather, suede, rubber, and synthetic fabrics, may require different care.

Let boots dry completely before storing them. Don’t pack damp footwear into a closed container where moisture and odors can become a problem.

7. Throw blankets

If your household spent the winter wrapped in blankets on the sofa, those throws are probably ready for a wash. Follow the care label, then make sure each blanket is completely dry before folding it. If you keep some throws out year-round, return your favorites to the living room and store the heavier winter ones.

Go through your blanket collection while you’re at it. If you have far more blankets than your household ever uses, consider donating extras in good condition.

8. Heavy bedding

Flannel sheets, heavy comforters, electric blankets, thick duvet inserts, and other winter bedding may be ready to leave the bedroom. Wash or clean each item according to its care instructions before storing it. 

Make sure everything is completely dry before packing it away. Use breathable or manufacturer-recommended storage methods for each bedding item, rather than stuffing damp textiles into a plastic bin where they can mold.

9. Mattresses

Changing from winter to lighter bedding is a convenient time to clean the mattress. Strip the bed and vacuum the mattress surface with an upholstery attachment if the manufacturer allows it. Pay attention to seams and crevices, and address stains according to the mattress care instructions.

Wash your mattress protector, too. Also, while the bed is stripped, vacuum underneath it before putting everything back together.

10. Underneath furniture

Winter has a way of producing impressive colonies of dust and pet hair underneath furniture. Vacuum under beds, sofas, dressers, desks, and other large pieces. Use vacuum extensions to reach farther underneath rather than moving heavy furniture unnecessarily.

Clean the floor and baseboards behind it, too. You may also recover a few socks, toys, and other belongings that went missing sometime around December.

11. Upholstered furniture

Sofas and chairs tend to get plenty of use when everyone is spending more time indoors. Remove loose cushions and vacuum underneath them. Use an upholstery attachment to clean the cushions, seat, back, and arms if recommended by the furniture manufacturer. A crevice tool can help remove crumbs and pet hair from seams.

If your furniture has washable covers, check the care instructions before tossing them into the washing machine. A zipper doesn’t automatically mean the cover is machine washable.

12. Curtains

Curtains can collect dust throughout winter, especially when windows stay closed for months. Vacuum them using a soft brush or upholstery attachment if the material allows it, or wash them according to their care labels. Some curtains require dry cleaning or other specialized care.

While you’re working around the windows, dust curtain rods and the tops of window frames.

13. Windows

Once the days get brighter, dirty windows become hard to ignore. Clean the interior glass and exterior surfaces you can safely access. Don’t forget the frames and sills, which can collect 

14. Window tracks

Open your windows and take a close look at the tracks. Use a vacuum crevice attachment to remove loose dust, dirt, dead bugs, leaves, and other debris before wiping the tracks. Removing the dry debris first can keep you from creating muddy sludge when you introduce a damp cloth.

Do the same for sliding door tracks if they collected winter dirt.

15. Window screens

If you’ve been waiting all winter to open the windows, clean the screens first. Dust, pollen, dirt, cobwebs, and other debris can collect on screens. Clean removable screens according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and let them dry before reinstalling them.

Inspect screens for tears or damage while they’re clean and easy to see.

16. Baseboards

Baseboards are easy to overlook during regular cleaning, especially behind furniture and in corners. Vacuum loose dust, hair, and pet fur first, then wipe them if needed. Pay particular attention to entryways, living rooms, bedrooms, and other heavily used spaces.

You don’t need to scrub every baseboard in the house on the same day. Add one or two rooms whenever you’re doing a deeper spring clean.

17. Air vents and return grilles

After months of running your heating system, check accessible vents and return grilles for dust buildup. Use a vacuum brush attachment or another recommended method to remove loose dust from exterior surfaces. Make sure furniture and other belongings aren’t blocking airflow.

Check your HVAC filter as well, and replace or clean it according to your system and filter manufacturer’s instructions. Leave deeper HVAC cleaning and maintenance to the methods recommended for your particular system.

18. Ceiling fans

Before ceiling fans go back to work for warmer weather, clean off the dust they accumulated during winter. Turn the fan off, then dust or wipe both sides of each blade. Clean the light fixture if the fan has one.

19. Patio furniture

It’s difficult to enjoy the first nice day of spring when your patio chair is covered in six months of dirt. Remove covers and inspect outdoor furniture before using it. Clean frames, tables, cushions, and other components according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Look underneath furniture and between cushions for leaves, insects, cobwebs, and other debris.

If cushions were stored for winter, check them for odors, moisture, stains, or pests before returning them to the patio.

20. Grill

Before the first cookout, give your grill some attention. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning grates, grease trays, exterior surfaces, and other components. If the grill sat unused all winter, inspect it for obvious damage, pests, or debris before turning it on.

Follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions for checking fuel connections and preparing the grill for seasonal use. If something appears damaged or unsafe, deal with the problem before firing it up.

After winter cleaning FAQ

What should you clean after winter?

Start with areas that collected winter dirt and dust, including entryways, coat closets, floors, upholstered furniture, bedding, mattresses, baseboards, vents, windows, and window tracks. Then clean outdoor furniture, grills, and other seasonal spaces before using them again.

What should you clean during spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning can include overlooked areas such as underneath furniture, mattresses, curtains, baseboards, vents, ceiling fans, window tracks, screens, closets, and outdoor living spaces. You don’t need to clean everything at once.

What winter items should you clean before storing them?

Clean winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, heavy bedding, winter sports equipment, and other seasonal gear before storage. Make sure everything is completely dry before packing it away.

Should you wash winter coats before storing them?

Clean coats according to their care labels before storing them for the season. Removing dirt, stains, and odors before storage means they’ll be ready to wear when cold weather returns.

Should you wash blankets before storing them for summer?

Yes. Wash washable blankets according to their care instructions, and make sure they’re completely dry before storing them. Don’t pack away blankets with food residue, stains, dirt, or moisture.

How do you clean your entryway after winter?

Remove shoes, mats, baskets, and other belongings first. Vacuum or sweep the entire floor, clean it according to the flooring manufacturer’s instructions, wipe baseboards and storage furniture, and clean door mats before putting everything back.

What outdoor areas should you clean after winter?

Clean patios, porches, balconies, outdoor furniture, grills, sheds, garages, and other exterior living or storage areas. Remove leaves, dirt, cobwebs, and other debris before bringing seasonal belongings back out.

When should you start spring cleaning?

Start when winter weather begins to ease, and you can comfortably tackle outdoor areas. You don’t need to wait for a specific date. Start indoors, then move outside as the weather allows.