Winter is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to close up the windows and doors to keep the cold out. 

But closing up your home also traps dust, bacteria, viruses, and other germs inside.

Spring cleaning usually gets all of the attention, but winter cleaning is just as important for keeping your home and indoor air quality healthy and safe.

Follow our winter cleaning checklist below to give your home a thorough, human-safe clean that keeps it healthy and cozy all season long.

What To Focus On With Winter Cleaning

We spend more time indoors in the winter, so it’s important to toss the toxins, declutter, deep-clean neglected areas, and keep up regular cleaning to improve indoor air quality.

The major jobs to tackle this season include:

• Tossing the Toxins: Cleaning out products with harmful ingredients from your home can make a life-changing, radical improvement in your air quality. The pre-winter season is a most opportune time because these harmful chemicals undermine the immune system and make us more vulnerable to colds and flu. If you haven’t already taken our free online course, now would be a great time to start.
  
• Decluttering: This is especially important. As we spend more time indoors, we naturally take in our visual environment. Science has shown that clutter can take a significant toll on your mental and emotional state. In fact, clutter makes us feel out of control, which is detrimental to our self-esteem, self-control, and sense of well-being.
  
• Clean and reduce dust: Household dust accumulates; it’s inevitable. But did you know that it harbors a variety of contaminants, pathogens, and allergens that are silently undermining your health and contributing to a variety of chronic diseases over time?

This winter cleaning checklist offers several ways to tackle dust buildup, including cleaning ceilings, walls, ceiling fans, light fixtures, baseboards, carpets, and rugs. 

If you have an air purifier, give it a thorough cleaning, too, so it can work efficiently to maintain healthy indoor air quality.

What You’ll Need For Your Winter Cleaning Checklist

Before you get started, gather all of the tools you’ll need to check off your winter cleaning checklist.

• Branch Basics Laundry Detergent, Branch Basics All-Purpose, Branch Basics Streak-Free, Branch Basics Concentrate
  
• Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets
  
• White distilled vinegar
  
• Hydrogen peroxide
  
• Microfiber towels
  
• A HEPA vacuum
  
• Dry Steam Cleaner
  
• Hand Held Steam Cleaner
  
• Unscented duster
  
• A step ladder
  
• Natural Scrub Brush and a soft-bristled toothbrush

Tips For Tackling Your Winter Cleaning Efficiently

Cleaning your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can get the job done with a little fun and some creativity.

Here are a few tips:

• Make and follow a checklist, or follow the tasks we’ve put together here. Break up the cleaning into a manageable schedule and tackle one task at a time.
  
• Enlist the help of family or a friend.
  
• Before you start, gather all of the cleaning tools and supplies you’ll need to get the job done. We share everything you’ll need below.
  
• Work from top to bottom. This will keep already dusted and cleaned surfaces from becoming dirty again.
  
• Put on a favorite playlist, podcast, or audiobook to listen to while you clean.

If this still seems intimidating, just know that you don’t need to complete this winter cleaning checklist in one day. Feel free to space it out. Make a list and check tasks off as you go – it’s ok to take your time!.

Your Winter Cleaning Checklist: 13 Tips

With your tools in hand, now it’s time to tackle dirt and grime with these 13 easy winter cleaning tips.

Let’s get to it!

1. Separate and Store Summer Clothing

Now that summer is behind us, it’s time to clean, separate, and store summer clothing.

First, sort and inspect each item for damage, rips, holes, and stains. Repair as needed.

Any clothing or shoes you haven’t worn or no longer wear, set aside for the decluttering step.

For stains, you have several options. Check out Natural Stain Remover Rescue! How To Remove 7 Of The Toughest Stains Naturally.

Then, wash everything in a human-safe detergent like Branch Basics Laundry Detergent. Dry completely before sorting and storing away.

2. Declutter

A clutter-free home is happier, healthier, and easier to maintain, especially in the winter.

You can go about this in a few ways:

1. Make a quick sweep of the house, gathering items that you no longer use or need.
   
2. Declutter as you go, one room at a time.

Donate gently used items and toss old, broken, and ripped items.

Learn more about the importance of decluttering in How Clutter Negatively Impacts Our Mental Health.

3. Wash Bedding And Clean Your Mattresses

To support healthy sleep during winter, plan to wash all bedding with a fragrance-free, human-safe laundry detergent like Branch Basics Laundry Detergent.

Items that come into contact with your skin, like sheets, pillowcases, protective pillow covers, mattress covers, and duvet covers, should be washed at least once a week. 

That includes blankets, too. During the colder months, you’re probably snuggling up under your favorite throws. So it’s a good idea to wash them more frequently.

Other items, such as the comforter, shams, dust ruffles, quilts, and decorative pillows, only need to be washed once a month.

If someone has been ill, you may need to wash their bedding more frequently.

Our beds are the most important piece of furniture in our homes. 

HEPA vacuum the mattress to refresh and remove dust.

• With everything off the bed, HEPA-vacuum the mattress, making a few passes. When everything is clean and dry, make the bed.

Consider a deeper clean to disinfect your mattress.

• To kill dust mites and bed bugs, disinfect, clean, and sterilize your mattress, use the Ladybug Dry Steam Cleaner.* Unlike a steam cleaner,  the dry steam vapor produced by a ladybug is only 5% water and dries almost instantly. This is important when cleaning a mattress because it creates less moisture, helping prevent mold and bacterial growth. 

*Advap offers Branch Basics customers a 20% discount on their Ladybug Dry Steam Cleaner! Use coupon code BRANCHBASICS at checkout for the deal.

Related Read: How to Wash and Dry a Down Comforter: Our Favorite Method.

4. If You Haven’t Yet, Now’s A Good Time To Clean Your Walls & Ceilings

We typically recommend cleaning walls and ceilings once a year as part of your spring clean.

For those with allergies, asthma, and chronic illness, however, we recommend doing a fall cleaning as well, to prepare for when the house is more closed up for winter. This is especially important as the cold and flu season is upon us.

Just be sure anyone who is very ill is not at home while you’re cleaning and stirring up dust.

For a full tutorial, check out How to Clean Walls and Ceilings Using Branch Basics.

5. Dust Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures, Bathroom Fans, etc.

Dust is one of the leading causes of indoor pollution, and it tends to accumulate on higher surfaces.[1]

Because of this, it’s important to regularly dust items like ceiling fans, light fixtures, and bathroom fans*. Lightly spray a microfiber cloth with Branch Basics All-Purpose and wipe clean.

*Note: To prevent injury, make sure all light and fan switches are turned off before cleaning.

Learn more about dust and how it affects indoor air quality in The Surprising Chemicals Riding on Common House Dust.

6. Clean Windows And Mirrors

Clean windows and mirrors improve the look and feel of your home and allow more natural light in, especially on those cold winter days.

First, damp wipe or vacuum mirrors, window tracks, sills, and window glass to remove loose dirt and dust.

To clean windows and mirrors, use Streak-Free and a microfiber towel. We recommend doing this at least once a month.

For a full how-to and best practices, check out How to Clean Windows Naturally.

Note: Avoid using ammonia-based window cleaners. They’re ineffective and super toxic.

7. Wipe Down Baseboards

Because they are close to the floor, baseboards tend to accumulate dust, dirt, and grime quickly.

Once a month, dust or vacuum the baseboards, then give them a good wipe down with a microfiber cloth spritzed with All-Purpose.

For more tips and a step-by-step guide, check out How to Clean Baseboards With Vinegar and Branch Basics & Why It’s Important.

8. Clean Carpets And Rugs & Remove Stains

Keeping carpets and rugs clean is a challenge in itself. Throw in muddy, snowy shoes and pet paws, and it can be quite the feat!

Although carpets and rugs are a household favorite, they can trap dirt, germs, and allergens. So it’s best to keep them clean, especially in high-traffic areas.

Before you clean, check all carpets and rugs for stains. Follow Our 5 Go-To Natural Stain Removers for Carpets to remove.

To clean carpets and large area rugs, start by HEPA vacuuming, taking a few passes. For a deeper clean, check out these 5 Carpet Cleaner Alternatives That Actually Work.

Take up smaller rugs and shake them out outside. If they’re machine-washable (check the tag), run small rugs through the washing machine with Branch Basics Laundry Detergent. Let air dry before laying them back down.

9. Clean Children’s Toys/Pet Toys

Children and pets spend much of their time on the floor playing. And the toys they play with often end up in their mouths. This makes it easy for germs and viruses to spread.

But first, if you haven’t already, it’s a good time to declutter and purge excess toys—it’s almost the holidays, after all, which means kids and pets will be receiving more “gadgets and gizmos a plenty!”

Next, clean what remains. Here are a few ideas:

• Boil* heat-tolerant non-porous toys in boiling water.
  
• Wipe all non-porous toys down with vinegar.
  
• Disinfect using vinegar and peroxide (used separately and stored in separate bottles).
  
• Run heat-tolerant toys through the dishwasher with a human-safe dish detergent.
  
• Steam clean. Use a hand-held steam cleaner to sanitize baby and pet toy surfaces that are NOT porous.
  
• Dry Steam Heat. Use a Lady Bug Dry Steam Cleaner to kill dust mites and disinfect porous stuffed animals and other porous items.

Learn more ways to clean baby and pet toys in How To Clean Your Baby’s Toys and Bottles Naturally.

*Note: Do not submerge battery-powered or electronic toys in water. Instead, lightly spritz a microfiber towel with All-Purpose or your favorite natural cleaning solution and wipe clean.

10. Deep Clean Air Purifiers

Keeping your indoor air healthy and clean is important year-round, but especially during the winter months.

One of the best ways to do this is to run an air purifier. These powerhouse air-cleaning machines are capable of removing VOCs, SVOCs, PM2.5, radon, asbestos, lead, and, most importantly for winter, biological contaminants such as bacteria, dust, and viruses.

An air purifier can get pretty dirty, requiring regular cleanings. Typically, filters should be cleaned at least once a month. But in the winter, we recommend cleaning them more often. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning.

*Note: If the filters are very dirty and clogged, consider replacing them. See manufacturer guidelines for optimal replacement recommendations.  

11. Swap Out HVAC Filters & Clean Grates & Returns

Another important step to ensuring your indoor air is healthy and safe is to change out HVAC filters and clean the grates and returns regularly. We recommend using untreated Filtrete Filters for your HVAC return.

Doing this helps maintain the system’s efficiency while improving your indoor air quality.

To clean the grates and returns, first shut off the system. Remove the vent covers and use the soft brush attachment on a HEPA vacuum to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris. Spray the covers with All-Purpose and wipe well. Run them under warm water, dry, and put them back.

12. Deep Clean Grill

Now that cookouts have come to an end (for now), it's time to deep-clean the grill.

First, do a “burnoff.” Turn the grill to high and cook for about 30 minutes. This will burn stuck-on food residue, making it easy to scrape off.

Turn the grill off and let it cool. Remove the grates, bars, and drip pan and soak them in a large basin or sink of warm water with a capful of Branch Basics Concentrate. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then scrub with a Natural Scrub Brush. Rinse clean.

Vacuum the interior of the grill to remove food debris.

Then, spritz a microfiber cloth with All-Purpose and wipe down the exterior.

Replace all clean removable parts, close and cover the grill.

13. Wash Patio Furniture

While you’re outside, work your way over to the patio furniture and give it a good clean before storing.

Clean each piece and follow our step-by-step guide, "How To Clean Outdoor Furniture | The Complete Guide to Refresh Your Patio."

Allow everything to dry completely before storing. 

During winter, it’s best to store patio furniture in a garage or shed. If that’s not possible, consider covering them up with outdoor waterproof covers.

Cozy Up With Branch Basics For Cleaning All Winter Long!

Maintaining a clean home is important for your health and well-being, as well as for your family's, pets', and home's all winter long. All it takes is some decluttering, dust removal, and cleaning of neglected areas. 

We hope this winter cleaning checklist helped you tackle these tasks!

If you’re ready to dive all in with human-safe cleaning, we recommend trying the Branch Basics Ultimate Starter Kit (available in refillable plastic or glass). 

These kits feature all our best-selling products for cleaning the entire home, including:

• The Concentrate
• A bag of Oxygen Boost
• Laundry Detergent
• Dishwasher Tablets
• Four reusable bottles for making All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, and Foaming Wash.

We also offer Premium Starter Kits (also available in refillable plastic or glass). These kits are great for all-purpose cleaning needs and include our Concentrate, a bag of Oxygen Boost, and five reusable bottles to make your own All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Laundry, and Foaming Wash.

Looking for more cleaning tips from Branch Basics? Check out Our Spring Cleaning Guide and Our Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Checklist for more checklists, how-tos, and deep cleaning methods.

References Mentioned In This Article:

1. https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/home/biological-pollutants-your-home