So, you are planning to take a winter vacation?
The last thing you want to do before you go on a vacation is to clean the house.
It is always nice to come back to a clean and fresh-smelling house after a tiring vacation.
It helps prevent pest problems and unpleasant smell surprises such as spoiled food or dirty surfaces.
It also helps in reducing stress, which allows one to enjoy their time during the stay with no worries about the condition of the house.
Why Should You Clean Before Going on Winter Vacation?
Cleaning before leaving for winter vacation may not be the most exciting task, but it is very beneficial.
It ensures you come back to an organized home that is free from dirt and bad smells.
It also helps avoid pest incursions and other unpleasant occurrences like food spoilage or dirty surfaces.
It also means that you are less likely to get stressed, thus being able to fully relax during the holidays, knowing that your house is in good condition.
Things to Clean Before Going on Winter Vacation
Here are essential items to clean before heading off on your winter vacation.
Clean the Kitchen
The kitchen is probably the area that requires the most attention when it comes to cleaning before you go on a winter holiday.
Food and season items left out in the kitchen can make the kitchen smell and may also attract pests when you are not around.
Clean the fridge: Remove all the perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, and any leftover food that may spoil during your absence.
Wipe down the shelves to ensure that there are no spills or crumbs that may encourage the growth of bacteria.
Cleans the stove and countertops: Wipe the stove and countertops to make sure that they are clean with no stains from food particles.
Who wants to deal with the burnt stains that may be left on the pots and pans?
Use the trash: Make sure you remove all the waste from the trash cans to ensure the place does not emit a bad smell during your time away.
Change the trash bags as well as empty out the bins to ensure that they do not bring back the smell of food.
When you return home, you will not walk into a kitchen filled with food on the tables or floors.
Vacuum and Mop Floors
If you do not clean your floors, it can make a house look quite messy, even if other things are well arranged.
To ensure that your home looks and feels fresh, you should take time to vacuum and mop the floors before you leave it.
Carpets and rugs should be vacuumed: Vacuum all the carpeted areas, including rugs, to remove the dust and dirt. This is especially important if you have pets because they can shed very quickly.
Mop the hard floor: To clean tile, hardwood, or laminate floors, you have to mop the floor. Wipe the dust, spots, and stains to make your floor shine and be free from grime.
Thus, cleaning the floors before leaving the house will help ensure that no dirt is brought into the house, and it will be easier to walk on a clean surface.
Clean and Disinfect Bathrooms
It is essential to clean the bathroom before going on a winter vacation.
It is one of the most often used rooms in a house, and it tends to get rather dirty if not cleaned on a regular basis.
Before you leave, you need to ensure that your bathrooms are clean and will not emit foul odors during your absence.
Clean the toilets and sinks: It is advisable to scrub your toilet, sink, and countertop to remove toothpaste, soap scum, and grime.
Wipe down the mirrors and glass structures: To ensure that the mirrors and other glass surfaces are left clean and stain-free, you must wipe them.
A foggy or dirty mirror in the bathroom can indeed make the bathroom less fresh.
Bathroom bin: Same as in the kitchen, it is important to empty the bins.
Used tissues, empty packages of toiletries, or other products can start to emit a foul odor if left for too long.
By keeping your bathroom clean you will be able to prevent the accumulation of odor or bacteria while you are away.
Tidy Up the Living Room
Before you with your winter vacation, ensure that the living room is clean and comfortable. This is the place where you will be lying down, having fun, and spending time, so it is necessary to clean it.
Dust and wipe down furniture: Wipe off dust from furniture like tables, chairs, and bookshelves with a microfiber cloth.
Do not forget to clean the electronics like the screen of the TV and the remote control, which can gather dust.
Fluff pillows and cushions: Organize your pillows and place them well on the couch.
Put away any items that do not belong in the living room and ensure that all the blankets are well folded.
Clean the carpets: If you have carpets or rugs in the living room, vacuum the carpets or rugs to make them free from dirt and pet hair.
These tasks will be able to settle you down more easily just before you leave, and you will be able to come back into a fresh environment.
Check for Dust and Allergens
Before you go, make sure you do a proper dusting all over your house. Some of the dust and allergens can stick to the furniture, the floor, and even the air ducts, hence the need to deal with them before the winter holiday.
Surfacing the dust: Wipe off the dust from all the shelves, light fittings, and the base of the walls.
Also, if there are areas, you may not usually clean, such as window ledges, vents, and blinds.
Change air filters: When you change your filters before you leave for your trip, you are assured of having fresh air when you are inside your house. It also ensures that there is no dust build-up when left unattended.
Thus, you will be welcomed by a good smell when you get back home.
An effort to clean the dust and allergens before you leave will ensure that your house is cleaner, and you will not have to do much to clean it when you get back.
Prep for Houseplants and Pets
If you have plants or pets, you must be very careful when planning to leave home.
You should also ensure that they are well-fed and taken care of in the same way you would if you were around.
Water your plants: Check on the house plants and ensure they have enough water before you embark on your trip. It is advisable to put them in a place which will allow them to get enough light when you are not around.
Make arrangements for pets: If you have pets, ensure that you make arrangements for their care while you are away from the house. Make sure that you clean the beds and pet food bowls to ensure that the pet has a clean environment.
It is always good to ensure that your plants and pets are well taken care of before you leave for your vacation, thus, you can have a great time during your vacation.
Laundry and Bedding
Last but not the least, do not forget to wash clothes and change linen before you travel.
This makes you even more comfortable to settle down after your vacation when you are welcomed by fresh linens and new clothes.
Wash and fold laundry: Ensure that you have all the laundry done before you travel for the day so that you don’t have to deal with a pile of clothes when you get back.
Change bedding: Replace your bed with new, clean linens so that when you return to the bed, it will meet you comfortably.
Thus, when all the necessary work is done, you will be able to move on with your post-vacation plans quickly and with no stress.
Get a Professional House Cleaning Service Before Your Holiday Vacation
If you need a cleaning service to help you prepare for your winter vacation, NW Maids is here to help.
With our expert cleaning services, your home will be sparkling clean, allowing you to relax and enjoy your trip completely.
Contact us today to schedule your cleaning service!
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