As the first snow finally falls over Colorado Springs, our thoughts in the city naturally turn to cozy fires, hot cocoa, and the warm embrace of a clean home for the colder season. Winter here is a time of stunning beauty, but it also brings unique challenges to our living spaces. Tracked-in snow, dry air circulating dust, and extended time spent indoors all contribute to the need for a focused, seasonal reset. This isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about health, efficiency, and preserving your home against the High Plains winter. That’s where a thorough winter cleaning becomes not just helpful, but essential.
For the busy residents of the 719, finding the time and energy for this deep dive can feel as daunting as summiting a fourteener in January. If that’s you, know that partnering with a professional cleaning company specializing in deep seasonal work is the most effective and stress-free option. This guide will walk you through the ideal winter cleaning tasks tailored to our local climate and explain why, for many, calling in the pros is the smartest move.
Why Winter Cleaning is Non-Negotiable in Colorado Springs
Our local climate dictates a specific approach. The combination of low humidity, temperature swings, and wind-borne particulates means your home faces a unique set of invaders:
- Dry Air & Dust: Low humidity allows dust and allergens to become airborne more easily, settling on every surface and impacting indoor air quality.
- Snow & Mud: Road sand, de-icers (like magnesium chloride), and plain old mud get trekked inside, damaging floors and carpets.
- Increased Indoor Time: We seal up our homes, recirculating air and potentially concentrating pollutants, pet dander, and cooking oils.
- Fireplace & Heating System Use: Soot, ash, and dust can circulate from fireplaces and forced-air systems.
A strategic winter cleaning addresses these issues head-on, creating a cleaner, healthier, and more energy-efficient home for the season.
The Colorado Springs Winter Cleaning Checklist
To help out with the clean-up, we prepared this comprehensive winter cleaning list broken down by area, with tasks specifically chosen for our region. Tackle it room-by-room over a weekend, or break it into manageable chunks (or give us a call) and get the cleaning done!
1. Entryways & Mudrooms: The First Line of Defense
This is ground zero for winter cleaning in Colorado. Place high-quality, washable entrance mats inside and out.
- Scrub and disinfect floors (tile, vinyl, or hardwood) to remove corrosive salt and sand residues.
- Deep clean all winter gear storage: Wipe down boot racks, coat hooks, and cubbies. Launder washable liners from coats and boots.
- Organize and declutter: Take a look at your winter items such as coats, hats, and gloves, and see what is that you truly like to use. You can set aside the ones that no longer fit you to donate to local charities. Nothing like a good action to warm us up during Winter!
2. The Heart of the Home: Kitchen & Living Areas
- Degrease kitchen surfaces: Cold weather cooking leads to more baked goods and roasts. Degrease range hood filters, backsplashes, and appliance exteriors.
- Clean the oven and refrigerator: A clean oven is more efficient, and emptying the fridge allows you to check seal integrity on doors, something key for energy savings as well.
- Focus on soft surfaces: Deep clean upholstery and area rugs to remove dust and allergens settled during the dry fall. Consider professional carpet cleaning for embedded soil.
- Fireplace care: Once fully cool, vacuum out ash from the firebox. For wood-burning fireplaces, schedule a professional chimney sweep if not done in the fall. Clean glass doors with an appropriate cleaner to remove soot film.
3. Private Sanctuaries: Bedrooms & Bedding
- Rotate and refresh bedding: Switch to warmer blankets and flannel sheets. Before storing summer linens, ensure they are freshly laundered.
- Mattress deep clean: Vacuum your mattress thoroughly and consider using a fabric steamer to kill dust mites, a common allergen exacerbated by dry, indoor air.
- Dust from the top down: Use a microfiber cloth to clean ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, and the tops of door frames where dust accumulates in the dry air.
4. Bathrooms & Humidity Control
- Combat mold and mildew: Scrub grout lines and silicone seals. The contrast between steamy showers and dry house air can accelerate growth.
- Maintain exhaust fans: Clean fan covers to ensure they are efficiently pulling moisture out, preventing window condensation and mold.
- Descale showerheads and faucets: Our mineral-rich water can leave deposits that reduce efficiency.
5. Windows & Letting in the Light
Colorado gets over 240 days of sunshine a year, and we need to harness it in winter!
- Interior window wash: Remove dust and grime from windowsills, tracks, and glass to maximize precious sunlight and improve mood.
- Check for drafts: While cleaning, feel for cold air leaks. Use weather-stripping or caulk to seal them, improving comfort and reducing heating costs.
6. Whole-Home Systems: The Unseen Essentials
- HVAC furnace filter: Replace it with a high-quality filter (MERV 11-13 if your system allows) to capture fine dust and allergens. Mark your calendar for the next change.
- Humidifier maintenance: If you use a whole-home or portable humidifier, clean it thoroughly to prevent mold and bacteria from being blown into the air.
- Vacuum and clean vents/registers: Use your vacuum’s hose attachment to remove dust from supply and return air vents to improve airflow and air quality
When to Call a Professional Winter Cleaning Service?
For busy professionals, parents, retirees enjoying their time, or anyone facing physical limitations, tackling this winter cleaning alone can feel overwhelming. This is where the value of a professional cleaning company such as Vetter Cleaning shines brightly. Opting for professional winter cleaning is not a luxury; it’s an investment in your time, health, and home.
Why hiring a pro is the best option for the busy person:
- Time is Your Most Precious Resource: A deep winter cleaning can take an entire weekend or more. Professionals with a systematic approach and a team can accomplish it in a fraction of the time, freeing you for family, hobbies, or simply relaxing in our beautiful winter landscape.
- Expertise on Tough Tasks: Some aspects of winter cleaning are simply hard work. Professionals come equipped with industrial-grade equipment and the know-how to tackle tasks like degreasing kitchen hoods, descaling showers, and giving the overall deep clean your space deserves.
- A Deeper Clean: A professional team doesn’t just clean surfaces; they perform a true deep clean. They move furniture to clean underneath, clean inside cabinets and appliances, and attend to those high-dust areas we often overlook. This level of detail is crucial for improving the air quality in our sealed winter homes.
- Local Knowledge: As a reputable Colorado Springs-based company, we understand the specific challenges our climate poses. We know how to handle the gritty residue from road sand and the dust peculiar to our region.
Need some help with all of that cleaning? Count on us!
Now that you already know why doing a Winter cleaning is important, count on Vetter Cleaning & Maintenance! Our company is here to get your house fresh as new for you. We don’t judge, we get the work done. You can take a look at what we offer and the area of work to pick what works best for you! We work with a broad range of services – from weekly housekeeping with our professional technicians, to disinfecting and fogging packages. Invest in your self-care! Show some love to your home.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
Thank you for reaching this far! Now tell us, do you tend to do Winter Cleanings? What do you find most challenging during this time of the year? Do you have a question we perhaps didn’t cover? Share your stories and concerns in the comment section and let’s help each other keep our homes clean and warm!
Written by
Vetter Cleaning & Maintenance Team.
About the company
Vetter Cleaning is a professional cleaning service located in Colorado Springs, CO. They offer a variety of cleaning services to meet most residential cleaning needs, including recurring maid services, deep house cleaning services, and move-in/out cleaning services.
If you live in the Colorado Springs area, we invite you to request a free home cleaning quote.
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