Once the holidays are over, gray skies, muddy yards, and all-around winter blues may keep you stuck inside for the rest of the winter. Here are some things you can do to keep your home running efficiently and healthfully until Spring arrives.
Decorations
Before you pack away your wreaths, lights, and ornaments, check to make sure they are not damaged so that when you pull them out next November, you know everything will look great and work as it should.
Kitchen
Go through the food items in your pantry and get rid of any expired spices, canned goods, and mixes. If any items are close to their expiration dates, and you don't think you'll use them before then, put together a donation box for your local food bank.
Disinfect your trash cans by wiping them down with germ-killing wipes and spraying with a disinfectant spray.
Clean out expired and abandoned food in your refrigerator. Did you know that the food item most often expired in any kitchen is salad dressing? After you have made space, remove the shelves and drawers, clean them, wipe down the fridge walls, and replace. On the outside, wipe down all surfaces and vacuum the coils.
Bathroom
Disinfect your toilet brushes.
Switch out your toothbrushes.
Clean shower walls, curtains, and/or doors.
Purchase a squeegee for your shower walls and doors so soap and minerals don't build up on them.
Sort through your medicines and toiletries and get rid of any expired items.
Living Spaces
As hard as we try, we don't always get the cobwebs and pet hairs off the bases of our furniture. Grab a Swiffer or slightly damp rag (with a dry rag to follow), and make sure you wipe down all the legs and behind the feet on chests, tables, chairs, and beds.
Clean sofa and chair pillows and cushion covers, and vacuum the backs, seats, and arms
Send your rugs out for cleaning and treatment. They probably need it.
Laundry Room
Run a clean cycle in your washer. If you don't have a cleaner handy, you can run an empty cycle with vinegar.
Double-check your dryer vent while you're there.
Bedrooms
Go through your closet and put together a bag for your favorite charity.
Check your shoes for damage and toss them if needed, or take them to a cobbler for repair.
Wash your bed pillows
Vacuum your mattresses (sprinkle with baking soda, let it sit, then vacuum up)
Everywhere
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, remote controls, keyboards, and phones.
Check lamp and extension cords to make sure they are in good condition.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with greener LED options.
Vacuum your curtains.
Dust above window and door moldings, and wipe down baseboards.
Whenever You Can
Eliminate paper clutter by digitizing important documents and photos. You can use your smartphone or tablet to take pictures of them or download an app called Photomyne, which will even make your old photos clearer. Think of it this way: should you ever have to get out of your house fast, you don't need to worry about grabbing photo albums or files—they will all be safe in the cloud.
Pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, turn on the fireplace, and search the web for images of Spring. It's just around the corner.
Sources: The Maids, Handyman.com,
Excellent information