Canada winters present numerous obstacles to keeping your home clean and warm. There will always be snow, slush, and road salt on the inside, a never-ending battle of spots, dirt, and moisture. As the days get longer and families are spending more time indoors, accumulated dust and dirt can also interfere with indoor air quality and comfort. Unless you plan it out properly, outdoor dirt and indoor odours can easily be overwhelming. 

In this article, I hope to give you some simple, no-brainer tips for keeping your home neat and warm during the winter. From designing a functional door, to doing your own holiday cleaning and avoiding typical winter accidents, you’ll find useful tricks to keep your home clean. Whether you’re doing these on your own or hiring professional help, these tips will help to make winter cleaning a bit easier and allow you to focus on enjoying the season. 

Winter Entryway Management  

Your home’s entryway is your home’s primary defense against winter grime and dust. With snow-laden boots, icy coats, and salt on the road, this place can quickly become a nightmare. A neat entrance way design can dramatically decrease the dust that is carried around the home. Get coats, scarves and bags off the floor by putting them on hooks or racks. Putting a boot tray or rubber mat at the door will prevent water and mud from getting into shoes. 

Maintaining the front door is just as essential as setting it up. Wash the mats and floors, removing any salt residue that can damage the surfaces. If you have the time, vacuum this up every other week in the winter to keep it in shape. 

Entryway Tips  

• Place a durable absorbent mat outside and near the door. 
• Put smaller winter items, such as gloves and hats, in baskets or bins. 
• Keep a small brush or cloth by the door for quick boot cleaning. 

Managing Snow and Mud Indoors  

You’ll still get snow and mud in your home even when you do your best to stay out of it during the Canadian winter. Ideally, placing rugs or mats where people will frequently pass can prevent dirt and moisture from percolating. Washable rugs are ideal because they can be cleaned to wipe away smudgy stains in snow and mud. Keeping these spaces vacuumed or swept each day helps keep the clutter from growing. 

For tougher spots, such as those that tend to be hard to reach, or places where snow and mud often congregate, bring microfiber mops or hand-held vacuums. Cleaning these spots regularly will keep them free of permanent stains and keep your floors looking fresh throughout the year. 

Tips for Dealing with Snow and Mud. 

• Put slip-resistant, water-resistant mats near entryways and busy places. 
• Prepare a dry space for shoes and equipment that is damp to avoid damage caused by water. 
• Wipe up muddy spots immediately to avoid contamination. 

Handling Hot Air and Dust? 

Warm winter heaters can result in stale air and create dust that makes cleaning seem like a never-ending job. A humidifier can also provide moisture to your home, neutralizing the static electricity that attracts dust to surfaces. This season, dusting furniture, shelves, and electronics are essential for keeping your indoor spaces clean and fresh. 

A second factor you should pay attention to is your home’s air quality. Keeping air vents clean, changing furnace filters, and vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum can all help keep airborne dust at bay. These small things not only make your house more clean, but they’ll also help keep you warm during the winter. 

Dust and Air Management Tips  

• Dust from top to bottom, starting with shelves and lights. 
• Vents should be cleaned, filters should be changed every 4–6 weeks in winter. 
• Dust with microfiber cloths — these absorb the dust better than regular cloths. 

Window and Glass Cleaning  

When windows and glass are dirty during the winter, condensation, dirt, and grit can cause the windows and glass to appear streaked, hazy, or dull. In the winters, windows need special attention so that cold doesn’t streak your windows. Use a window cleaner for cooler weather, and clean at the warmest hour of the day to keep the cleaner from freezing. Cleaning should be done in the interior, otherwise, exterior cleaning might be impossible due to snow conditions outside. 

While cleaning your windows, you need to deal with the condensation as well to avoid water stains and mold around the windows. Keep frames and sills clean and dehumidify to eliminate air moisture, making windows free from debris. 

Window Cleaning Tips  

• Use a squeegee to remove smudges from glass windows. 
• Make sure to spray an anti-fog spray on windows and mirrors to stop condensation. 
• Plug any holes around windows to keep out the cold air and dirt.

Preventing Odors and Keeping Fresh Air

 When it’s cold outside during Canadian winters, homes are usually closed off so the air inside will smell stale and musty. If you want your home to smell fresh, natural deodorizers such as baking soda or activated charcoal can mask odors from problematic areas such as the kitchen, mudroom or pets’ rooms. Essential oil diffusers can even bring a sweet fragrance into your home without cloying it with artificial fragrances. 

Another vital factor is air conditioning, even in the winter. By opening just a few windows or turning on exhaust fans while cooking or cleaning, you’ll get fresh air without drastically lowering indoor temperature. This little gesture can go a long way in retaining a cool atmosphere throughout the winter. 

Tips for Fresh Air and Odor Management 

• Put trash in trash bins as often as possible to reduce smell. 
• Put washable liners in your trash bins and hampers. 
• Rinse lingering odours off soft surfaces such as curtains and cushions. 

Seasonal Cleaning Hacks  

Winters are unique in that mud, from snowy boots to damp pet feet, must be cleaned in special ways. Wash and dry snow clothing, such as jackets, boots, and gloves on a regular basis to avoid having dirt and water seep through your house. Put these things in a dry spot or rack, keeping them tidy and avoiding chaos. Plus, a system for wiping up spills and melting snow will save you time and energy. 

Even pets cause cleaning problems in the winter. When they enter the house, wipe their paws with a wet towel to keep mud and salt from moving inside. Not only does this clean up your house, it also protects your pets’ paws from the chemicals present in de-icers. 

Winter Cleaning Hacks  

• Put absorbent towels or mats at the door so you can clean them easily. 
• Dry soaked shoes and equipment in a silicone tray or bin. 
• Keep a small handheld vacuum close at hand to pick up loose snow and debris. 

Weekly or Bi-Weekly Professional Cleaning  

Having a household full of snow, mud, and road salt makes cleaning in the winter seem unmanageable. Cleanliness services from Lumina Life are the best way to ensure that you keep your home clean and warm even in the winters. Booking weekly or bi-weekly cleans keep high traffic areas, hallways, and living rooms spotless and tidy without you having to move a muscle. 

Lumina Life’s professional team provides winter deep-cleaning services, such as carpet shampooing to clean up salt stains, de-dusting vents and baseboards, and specialized floor and upholstery cleaning. So let Lumina Life take care of all that extra winter cleaning and leave you with more time to do what you love most — staying warm and enjoying the season. 

Why Choose Lumina Life?  

• Licensed cleaning professionals trained to manage the seasonal mess. 
• You can schedule your visits for a week or two each week. 
• All-inclusive carpet and deep-cleaning services. 

Conclusion  

Staying clean during Canadian winters can be a daunting challenge, but with the right strategies and tools, it’s easy to accomplish. From designing an efficient hallway system to hiring a professional for a thorough clean, these tips can make your home feel like a cozy, neat oasis even during the most harrowing seasons. 

Maintaining the home regularly and doing some spring cleaning on your own can keep you from battling the winter and living in a dirty home. Start applying these tips today and see how a home that’s well-maintained can help you stay warm during the winter months.

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