Many germs and viruses survive better in the cool, dry conditions that common in fall and winter, according to Healthline. Keep indoor humidity levels at 40% to 60% are optimal to make some viruses less likely to survive in the air and consider a humidifier if your humidity drops below 30%. Also identify your home’s high-touch surfaces — doorknobs, light switches, appliance handles and the like — and clean them often to reduce the chance of spread. And this may go without saying in the post-COVID era, but have everyone in the household practice frequent hand-washing. #WinterCleaning
Tag: cold weather
Keep Your Indoor Air Clean
With windows shut against the cold and the heat turned up, indoor air quality can suffer. That’s why it’s important to focus on dust and allergens when performing #winter #cleaning. Be sure to dust blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and electronics; wipe down baseboards and vacuum rugs; and launder all bedding and drapes. Finally — once you’ve eliminated most of the airborne pollutants — change your furnace’s air filter to keep the air you breathe fresher. “Cleaner air reduces the risk of allergies, asthma flare-ups, and cold and flu transmission,” says Men’s Journal. #WinterCleaning
Winter Weather Means Frequent Cleaning
With snow and temperatures falling, you’re likely spending more time indoors — and that means your space is handling a lot more wear and tear. Frequent #cleaning can keep your #home sparkling and allergen-free, says Care.com. Start by #cleansing the floors, which are often subject to tracked-in dirt and moisture. Also shampoo or freshen area rugs and carpeting. Entryways are key to keeping the home clean, so sweep and #organize them. Be sure to clean and disinfect bathrooms regularly to prevent the spread of germs, and change out the filters in your HVAC to help it run efficiently and prevent allergies. #WinterCleaning
Kickstart Spring Cleaning for an Early Spring
Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early #spring, and it looks like his prophecy will be accurate this year. Temperatures are breaking records across the Midwest and Northeast, and crocuses and daffodils popping up in gardens weeks ahead of schedule. With an early spring, why not get the jump on spring #cleaning? Good tasks to tackle early in the year include cleaning windows and entryways, washing and storing winter outerwear, and pressure-washing the patio and outdoor furniture, Premeditated Leftovers says. Start now, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the warm weather when it it’s here to stay. #SpringCleaning
Bringing Warmth to the Winter Home
Once all of the #holiday celebrations are complete and the temperatures drop to single digits, you may struggle to create #warmth — real or perceived — in the home. The cold weather and empty social schedules of January may prompt you to enter a protective hibernation.
The cold-weather cultures of Scandinavia tell you to lean into that feeling through #hygge, the concept of warmth, comfort and quiet conviviality practiced when the weather outside is cold, blustery and otherwise inhospitable.
Hygge demands quiet comforts such as cozy sweaters and throws, casual get-togethers with friends and family, and plenty of hot meals and beverages such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Candles and a fire in the hearth only add to hygge’s #warm, golden glow.
Creating real warmth in winter may require a few #household fixes, however. The first thing to check is your furnace filter — if it hasn’t been changed recently, dust and dirt may be blocking heated air. Change it so that the heat travels to the vents efficiently and with fewer allergens.
Half the battle of staying warm in #winter is to keep the heat inside and the cold outside. Adding insulation, area rugs and a chimney flue blocker are simple ways to keep the warmth from escaping and save money on heating costs.
Other simple fixes include 10 home heating “hacks” from Better Homes & Gardens. They include insulating drafty windows with bubble wrap and sealing window frames with fresh caulk. To quickly warm the kitchen and create a homey atmosphere, fire up the oven and bake some cookies or braise a roast.
We at The Organizing Blog like to save energy and set our thermostats to 68°F throughout the winter. But we also have plenty of blankets and throws we can use to stay warm, some of which were #thrifted from stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org.
You can also generate #heat by staying active — getting on the treadmill, painting a room or thoroughly #decluttering and #organizing a space. After you #schedule a #donation #pickup for all of that extra #stuff, reward yourself by bundling up, pouring a hot beverage and relaxing.
There’s nothing like the warmth of a #clean, cozy and #uncluttered home. Follow a few of these tips to stay warm, whatever winter brings!