20 Things You Should Clean Before Winter

Before you settle in for a winter of blankets, hot drinks, and avoiding the outdoors whenever possible, give your home a seasonal cleaning. Fall is a good time to tackle places that may be harder to clean once temperatures drop, along with indoor areas you’ll use more during winter. Clean heating vents, wash blankets, clear out the pantry, vacuum underneath furniture, and deal with outdoor dirt before everyone starts tracking it inside.

Key takeaways

• Clean heating vents, ceiling fans, and other areas that can collect and circulate dust.
• Wash blankets, bedding, and other textiles you’ll use more frequently during winter.
• Clean entryways before winter shoes, coats, and wet weather arrive.
• Clear expired and unwanted food from the pantry before holiday groceries start piling up.
• Clean underneath and behind furniture while you’re already doing a seasonal deep clean.
• Tackle outdoor furniture, grills, gutters, and other exterior areas before cold weather makes the job more difficult.
• Clean seasonal items before storing them, and make sure they’re completely dry before packing them away.

1. Heating vents and return grilles

If your heating system hasn’t been running much, check the accessible vents and return grilles before winter. Dust, pet hair, and other debris can collect on them throughout the year.

Use a vacuum brush attachment to remove loose dust from the exterior. While you’re at it, make sure furniture, rugs, curtains, or boxes aren’t blocking vents. Stick to accessible surfaces rather than pushing tools deep into ductwork.

Check your HVAC filter, too, and replace or clean it according to your system and filter manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Ceiling fans

Your ceiling fans may have spent all summer collecting dust while they kept the air moving. Clean the blades before switching them to their winter settings.

Turn the fan off, then dust or wipe the blades. Don’t forget the top of each blade, where a layer of dust can hide from view. If your ceiling fan includes a light fixture, clean that while you’re already up there.

3. Baseboards

Fall is a good time to tackle baseboards before winter keeps everyone indoors more often. Vacuum loose dust, hair, and pet fur first, then wipe the baseboards if they need more cleaning. Pay extra attention to corners and areas behind furniture that regular floor cleaning often misses.

You don’t necessarily need to scrub every baseboard in the house at once. That’s a lot. Work room by room as part of your fall cleaning.

4. Underneath furniture

Take a look underneath the sofa, beds, dressers, tables, and other large furniture. Dust, crumbs, pet hair, socks, toys, and other debris may have been hiding there for months.

Use a vacuum extension to reach as far underneath as possible without moving heavy furniture. Move lighter pieces when needed, but don’t try to wrestle a giant dresser across the room by yourself just for the sake of a dust bunny.

5. Upholstered furniture

Winter usually means more time sitting on sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture, so give them a thorough cleaning before peak lounging season begins.

Remove loose cushions and vacuum underneath them, along seams, across the seats, and around the arms. Vacuum both sides of removable cushions if the furniture manufacturer recommends it.

Address stains according to the upholstery care instructions, and wash removable covers only if they’re designed to be washed.

6. Throw blankets

Those blankets that spent the summer folded in a basket or shoved onto a closet shelf may be dusty even if they don’t look dirty. Wash washable throws according to their care labels before putting them back on sofas, beds, and chairs. Make sure they’re completely dry before folding or using them.

While you’re going through your blankets, decide whether you actually need all of them. Donate extras in good condition rather than stuffing them back into an overflowing linen closet.

7. Comforters and winter bedding

If you switch to heavier bedding for winter, clean it before putting it on your bed. Wash washable comforters, duvet covers, blankets, flannel sheets, and other winter bedding according to their care instructions. Some bulky comforters may require a larger machine or professional cleaning.

If winter bedding has been stored for months, inspect it for stains, odors, pests, or moisture problems before putting it back into use.

8. Mattresses

While you’re changing your seasonal bedding, give the mattress some attention. Strip the bed and vacuum the mattress surface with an upholstery attachment if the manufacturer recommends it. Pay extra attention to seams and crevices where dust and debris can collect.

Wash the mattress protector, vacuum under the bed, and check whether anything stored beneath it needs cleaning or decluttering before you put everything back.

9. Curtains

Once winter arrives, you may keep windows closed much more often. Give curtains a cleaning before the house is buttoned up for the season. 

Vacuum curtains with a soft brush or upholstery attachment if the fabric allows it, or wash them according to the care label. Some window treatments require professional or specialized cleaning.

While the curtains are down or moved aside, dust the curtain rod and clean the window trim.

10. Windows and window tracks

Clean windows before freezing temperatures make outdoor window washing less appealing or practical. Focus on the glass, frames, sills, and tracks. Use a vacuum crevice attachment to remove loose dirt, dead bugs, leaves, and debris from tracks before wiping them.

You don’t necessarily need spotless windows throughout the entire house. Prioritize the ones with visible dirt and the windows you’ll look through most during winter.

11. Entryways

Your entryway is about to work overtime. Winter can bring wet shoes, muddy boots, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, umbrellas, and plenty of dirt. Start the season with a clean floor and an uncluttered place for everything.

Clean:

• Floors
• Baseboards
• Door mats
• Shoe racks
• Benches
• Hooks
• Baskets and bins
• Doors and handles
• Nearby walls if they’re scuffed

Remove out-of-season shoes, jackets, and accessories so there’s enough room for winter gear.

12. Coat closets

Don’t wait until the first cold morning to discover your winter coats are buried behind beach bags and spring jackets. Take everything out of the coat closet, then vacuum or sweep the floor and dust the shelves. Wipe storage bins and shoe racks before putting them back.

Sort through coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots while you’re there. Donate things your household has outgrown or no longer uses, and move out-of-season belongings somewhere else.

13. Pantry shelves

Winter holidays, baking, and more meals at home can quickly turn an already crowded pantry into a food avalanche. Before stocking up, work through the pantry one shelf at a time. Remove the food, vacuum crumbs, wipe the shelf, and let it dry before putting everything back.

Check for expired or spoiled food and anything your household realistically isn’t going to eat. Move older foods toward the front so you remember to use them before buying replacements.

14. Refrigerator

Holiday leftovers and winter groceries need somewhere to go. Before the refrigerator gets packed, remove expired or spoiled food, wipe shelves and drawers, and clean spills according to the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. Pay particular attention to sticky bottles and jars before returning them to a clean shelf.

Once you’re finished, organize the refrigerator so foods that need to be eaten soon are easy to see. That can help keep leftovers and produce from disappearing into the back.

15. Freezer

A freezer cleanout can make room for frozen meals, holiday food, and ingredients you want to keep on hand during winter.

Take inventory before buying more food. Toss items that are no longer safe or that you know you won’t use, following food safety guidance. Then organize what remains so you can easily find older food.

If your freezer needs defrosting or other maintenance, follow the manufacturer’s instructions instead of improvising.

16. Oven

Winter tends to bring more baking, roasting, casseroles, and holiday cooking. Clean the oven before it enters its busy season.

Remove loose crumbs and food debris, then clean the interior using a method recommended by the manufacturer. Clean racks separately if needed, and wipe the door and exterior.

If your oven has a self-cleaning function, read the owner’s manual before using it. Different ovens have different instructions and restrictions.

17. Dryer and accessible lint areas

Bulky winter clothes, blankets, and bedding can mean more work for your dryer. Keep cleaning the lint screen after each load, and check accessible areas around the lint screen and dryer for built-up lint. Vacuum loose lint from areas the manufacturer recommends cleaning.

18. Outdoor furniture

If your patio furniture won’t get much use during winter, clean it before covering or storing it. Remove dirt, leaves, bird droppings, food, and other debris using a cleaning method recommended for the material. Wash removable cushion covers if allowed, and make sure cushions and furniture are completely dry before storing them. Moisture trapped under covers or inside storage containers can cause odors, mildew, and other problems.

If you don’t have room in the house, garage, or shed for seasonal patio furniture and accessories, a storage unit can help free up space during the winter.

19. Grill

If grilling season is winding down at your house, don’t roll a dirty grill into storage and forget about it until spring. Follow the grill manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning grates, grease trays, exterior surfaces, and other components. Remove food residue and grease before covering or storing the grill.

If you use propane or another fuel source, follow all manufacturer and local safety requirements for storage. Don’t move fuel containers indoors simply because you’re storing the grill for winter.

20. Gutters and downspouts

Once most of the leaves have fallen, check gutters and downspouts for leaves, twigs, and other debris. Clogged gutters can prevent rain and melting snow from draining away as intended. Also look at where downspouts discharge and make sure obvious debris isn’t blocking the exit.

Gutter cleaning can involve working at height, so don’t take unnecessary risks. If you can’t safely reach your gutters from a stable position or your home requires roof access, consider hiring a professional.

Winter cleaning FAQ

What should you clean before winter?

Focus on areas you’ll use more in winter and places that are harder to clean in cold weather. Start with heating vents, bedding, upholstered furniture, entryways, coat closets, pantries, appliances, outdoor furniture, grills, and gutters.

What should you clean outside before winter?

Clean outdoor furniture, cushions, grills, gutters, downspouts, outdoor rugs, gardening tools, and other seasonal items before winter. Make sure anything going into storage is completely clean and dry.

Should you clean your house before winter?

A seasonal deep clean can remove accumulated dust, dirt, pet hair, and clutter before you spend more time indoors. You don’t need to deep clean everything at once. Focus on the areas your regular cleaning routine tends to miss.

Should you clean heating vents before winter?

Remove visible dust and debris from accessible vent covers and return grilles before you begin using your heating system regularly. Avoid pushing tools deep into ductwork, and follow your HVAC system’s maintenance instructions.

Should you wash blankets before winter?

Wash washable throw blankets, comforters, duvet covers, and other winter bedding according to their care labels before using them for the season, especially if they’ve been stored for several months.

What should you clean before storing summer items?

Remove dirt, food residue, stains, and moisture from seasonal clothing, patio cushions, outdoor rugs, coolers, camping gear, gardening tools, sports equipment, and other summer belongings. Make sure everything is completely dry before storing it.

How do you prepare an entryway for winter?

Clean the floor, doormat, shoe storage, hooks, baskets, and other entryway surfaces. Remove out-of-season belongings, then make room for boots, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, umbrellas, and other winter gear.

When should you start cleaning for winter?

Start during fall while temperatures are still comfortable enough for outdoor cleaning. Do weather-dependent jobs first, then work through indoor tasks gradually as winter approaches.