Inside The Home Winter Preparedness

By Author: Charley Shimanski
Total Articles: 7
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It's autumn again and Thanksgiving will be here soon. Autumn is an excellent time for those deep-cleaning chores and to prepare for winter in and around the home. Here are a few tips to assist you in preparing your home before winter sets in.

Cleaning efficiently is the key in doing a thorough cleanup of any home. A clear cleaning goal in mind or on paper is a great starting point. Start with living areas that need deep cleaning. Prioritize based on time available. Be realistic in what you can accomplish in the time you have available. Cleaning tasks may be broken up into a list of manageable amounts. Each project may take a few hours or a few days.

A major tip is to clean from top to bottom and left to right. Professional Cleaning companies often use this method to stay on task and not miss tasks that need attention. Vacuum thoroughly window blinds, drapes, treatments; wipe window sills and trim where accessible. Use clean towels or wash cloths or micro-fiber towels, remember you can only clean as clean as the cleaning medium.

Vacuum thoroughly all upholstered furniture. Use various vacuum attachments to ...
... get into the crevices of the fabric of the furniture. If you have not had them professionally cleaned in a while, hire a trained and qualified company to provide professional upholstery cleaning.
Launder all bedding: Comforters, blankets, sheets, mattress pads, duvets, pillows and pillow cases, etc. Mattresses can be turned end to end for an even wear.

A vacuum carpet especially at the edges and under furniture that is not often moved, in the corners, behind the entertainment system, under beds and around the night stands etc. Hire a professional carpet cleaner. In the utility room, change the filter in the HVAC unit. Hire a licensed HVAC contractor to do a checkup on the heater unit. Replace or clean the filter for the humidifier, should you have one. Purchase extra salt bags for the water softener so you do not have to lug them when there is ice or snow on the ground.

In the kitchen, pull the refrigerator out and clean under and behind where dust accumulates. Check the ice-maker line for any possible damage to avoid any water damage situation that may occur. Thoroughly vacuum above the kitchen cabinets. Throw out old unused spices and bottles to create room.

In the garage, make room to park your vehicles. Organize and put away your gardening supplies and bring out snow shovels for easy access. Purchase a few bags of ice melt so you will be prepared for snow and ice. If you have never checked your attic, make sure you have at least six to eight inches of insulation. Lack of insulation causes extensive heat loss and possible frozen pipes in extreme winter conditions. Frozen pipes are a leading cause of water damage that may ruin large portions of your home.

ServiceMaster by Best is a local franchise and a part of a network of franchisees with over 60 years of experience in the cleaning and restoration in Wichita, KS. ServiceMaster by Best is a leading provider in the Carpet Cleaning Company of air-ducts, Carpet, upholstery, tile and grout, commercial Cleaning and janitorial services along with 24-hour emergency fire, flood and water damage cleanup services. ServiceMaster by Best’s reputation offers client’s peace of mind that comes from knowing every job will be done right the first time every time.