10 Simple Cleaning Habits Every Canadian Home Should Follow

By Author: Priyanshu
Total Articles: 9
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Our​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ homes, as a result, have to endure a lot of wear and tear while living in Edmonton. We are hit with mud in the spring, dust in the summer, and the never-ending snow, slush, and salt cycle in the winter.

We have observed a trend after more than 29 years of delivering cleaning services in Edmonton. The homes that are the cleanest (and thus, require the least amount of cleaning) are not those of people who constantly clean. They belong to people who practice a few simple, clever habits.

Maintaining a clean home is not only essential for the health of your family but also for the longevity of your ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌investment.

The Smart Homeowner’s Routine: 10 Steps to a Pristine Home
Here are the 10 simple habits that every Canadian homeowner should adopt today to keep the mess manageable.

1. The Strict “No Shoes” Policy

This is the golden rule of Canadian home care. In Alberta, our sidewalks are covered in grit, salt, and calcium. If you walk through your house in outdoor shoes, you are grinding that ...
... abrasive salt into your hardwood and carpet fibers. It acts like sandpaper, destroying the finish of your floors. Keep a shoe rack by the door and switch to slippers immediately. Your carpets will last years longer.

2. Double Down on Entrance Mats

One mat isn’t enough to handle an Edmonton winter. We recommend a “two-zone” defense:

Outside: A heavy-duty scraper mat to knock off the big chunks of snow and mud.
Inside: A high-absorbency mat to soak up the moisture and salt brine.
Tip: Vacuum these mats weekly! If they are full of dirt, they stop working.
3. Check Your Furnace Filter Monthly

Your house needs to breathe. Because our homes are sealed tight against the cold for 8 months of the year, your furnace filter is your first line of defense against dust. Check it every month. If it’s grey and clogged, change it. A clogged filter forces your furnace to work harder (raising your utility bill) and circulates dust back into the rooms.

Pro Tip: Changing the filter is a great habit, but it doesn’t clean the dust inside the ducts. That is why we recommend a professional Furnace Cleaning every 1–2 years to remove the deep buildup.
4. Manage Moisture Immediately

Canadian​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ houses tend to create condensation, specially on windows, when it is -30°C outside and +20°C inside. If you find water dripping on your window sills, do not hesitate to wipe it up straight away. That moisture, which is left to itself, will mold and rot your window frames. Also, it is very important to run the bathroom fan for 20 minutes after a shower to expel the humidity.

5. The “2-Minute” Kitchen Shutdown

Do not go to sleep with a dirty sink. It seems insignificant, but food particles left in the sink will rapidly cause bacteria to grow and pests will be attracted. Spend two minutes every night to put the dishes in the dishwasher and clean the counters. This will definitely help you start your day in a good ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌mood.

6. Vacuum High-Traffic Areas Twice a Week

You don’t need to vacuum the whole house every day. But the “high-traffic lanes” (the hallway, the path from the kitchen to the living room) collect 80% of the dirt. Vacuuming these spots frequently stops dirt from being trampled deep into the carpet backing, where it becomes much harder to remove.

7. Wipe Down “High-Touch” Points

We adhere to this strictly in the janitorial cleaning services businesses hire us for, but it applies to homes too. Doorknobs, light switches, and fridge handles are germ magnets. Keep a container of disinfecting wipes handy and do a quick pass of these spots once a week. During flu season, it makes a massive difference.

8. Make the Bed Every Morning

This is psychological as much as it is hygienic. Making your bed instantly makes the room look 50% cleaner. Plus, shaking out your duvet prevents dust mites from settling in the same creases every day.

9. Clean Your Tools

You can’t clean a house with dirty cloth.

Empty your vacuum canister before it gets full (suction drops significantly when it’s over half full).
Wash your microfiber clothes in hot water.
Clean your mop head. Using dirty tools just spreads bacteria around.
10. Schedule Seasonal Deep Cleans

Even with the best habits, dirt eventually builds up where you can’t see it.

Spring: Clean the windows to let the light in.
Fall: Clean the furnace ducts before turning the heat on.
Winter: Steam clean the carpets to remove the salt and mud tracked in during the holidays.
The Balance Between Habits and Professional Help
Daily​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ habits make your home livable, but professional services make your home look new again. It’s like brushing your teeth vs. going to the dentist.

You brush every day (daily habits), but you still need that professional cleaning to remove the tartar (deep cleaning).

Maybe carpet cleaning is what your carpets need if they are still looking dull even after vacuuming, or maybe you need a new air filter if your furnace is pushing out dust faster than you can dust it. In any case, it is definitely time for the professionals to come and take care of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌it.

Need a hand with the heavy lifting? Alberta Steam Xpress is here to handle the deep cleaning – from furnaces to carpets – so your daily habits are easier to maintain. We are the top choice for cleaning services Edmonton residents can count on.

Call us at 587-460-5338 or Click Here for a Free Estimate.