- Furnace and heating system (see related article)
- Clean dryer vent and tubing:
- Pull out dryer, detach venting hose and vacuum out any build-up of lint.
- On the outside, remove vent cover and using again vacuum out lint.
- Maximize natural light:
- Clean your windows, inside and out to let that winter sunshine in.
- Remove screens and store for winter.
- Ensure storm windows are fitting well.
- House cleaning isn’t only for Spring!
- Use those extra hours in the darker evenings to clean out the closets.
- Switch over the summer clothes, ‘toys’, etc for the winter coats, boots, shovels, etc
- Remember the Thrift Store would love your unwanted winter coats, boots, etc.
- Pull out all the furniture and vacuum under and behind them! And while you’re at it – perhaps re-arrange the furniture for a new look.
- Organize those things that you’ve been stuffing in ‘hidden’ places.
- Go round the house with a pad & pen… Make a note of all those little things that you know need fixing – from paint touch-ups to dripping taps to stiff patio doors to slow drains to burned out bulbs to dirty blinds (take down and wash over the bathtub!)
- Emergency Supplies – are you ready for a power outage?
- Check out: www.redcross.ca/what-we-do/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/for-home-and-family
- Make sure you have flashlight, candles, canned & dried food, spare batteries, water.
- Winter means less fresh air flow around your house. Watch out for:
- Smoke detectors – change batteries on January 1 EVERY year!
- Carbon Monoxide detectors – These should be close to the source of any CO2 leaks (near your furnace or gas fireplace).
- Be sure to have adequate ventilation when using propane heaters.
- Keep baseboard heaters clear of furniture, cushions, etc.
- Now’s a good time to clean the INSIDE of your water cooler. Kits are available from your bottled water supplier. This should be done at least twice a year – goes fuzzy inside
- Clean showerheads with CLR.
- Clean under & behind your fridge and stove.
- Clean ceiling fan blades, and then reverse the direction they turn. You want a downward draft in summer, and upward air circulation in winter.
If we can help you with any of these issues, please call us at: 250-833-9446.