November Cleaning Ideas To Prepare For Winter
- Best Home Services
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
As temperatures start to drop, it's time to prepare for the cold months ahead. In this article, I outline some key things to check out, from the perspective of a professional cleaner.
Radiators and Heaters
This is one of the first things I would recommend checking in November. This is both to clean them to make sure they work well, and to check their thermostat batteries and if they have to be bled. This way, there aren’t any critical heating issues during the winter months when you need it the most. Better do it now than when the temperatures drop!
Radiators collect lots of dust, and in my expereince, are almost always under cleaned in households due to it being so difficult to get into the grooves. I would recommend the following steps:
Vacuum as much as possible from the sides with a small attachment.
Get into the grill with a long tool (even a makeshift butter knife will do).
Some radiators have very easily removable grating, which will make it easier to clean. If not, you can also get a handyman to help remove the cover.
Doors, Handles, and Light Switches
I think these are well worth paying attention to in November, when the cold is approaching. At this time, people are spending more time indoors, and are getting extra touches. Meanwhile, the cold and flu season is approaching, making everyone more prone to sickness. Use a disinfectant, and even a degreaser, to get rid of yellow stains from skin oils that build up over time. In the summer you may get away with cleaning less, but in the flu season I do this more frequently to make sure everyone in my household stays as healthy as possible.
Oven
The oven clean is a November essential for me. Once the festive season kicks in it will be too late, with non-stop cooking, hosting, and celebrating commitments. I think it’s a good idea to get ahead of things, so that when the festive times kick in, you can focus on cooking rather than cleaning. To make this as painless as possible, I recommend soaking the oven racks in the sink or bathtub, to reduce the amount of scrubbing that needs to be done. A clean oven not only looks better but heats more evenly, which makes cooking easier too.
Cupboards and Pantry
This is a great time to reorganise and wipe down kitchen cupboards. I always tell clients, if it’s been more than six months since you last checked expiry dates, it’s time. Food storage can be especially important in winter, especially as we are cooking more hearty meals and relying on tinned goods.
Gutters and Downpipes
Outside, there lives a very important November maintenance task: removing leaves and debris from gutters.
Final Touches
Having finished the cleaning tasks, it's a great idea to consider seasonal decorations to get into the holiday spirit. This includes cozy blankets, and festive candles.
Preparing you home in November not only tidies up your space but also sets the stage for a cozy winter.
