Simple tasks that can help keep your home cleaner, brighter and more comfortable throughout the colder months.

As summer transitions to autumn, cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours draw us indoors. Before winter arrives, take time to prepare your home for the months ahead. These simple tasks can help make your home brighter, cleaner and more comfortable all season long.

Clean windows and screens for a brighter home

All spring and summer, dust, pollen and spiderwebs have collected on screens and glass. It happens gradually and you may not have noticed the diminished view. Clean away that debris before the house gets closed up against cold weather. You’ll be glad you did as the winter solstice nears and the days grow short. Clean windows and screens will let more natural light into your home.

If little debris has accumulated on screens, you can clean them without removing them. First, vacuum with a brush attachment, working from top to bottom. Then wipe with a microfiber cloth dampened with a solution of water and dish soap. Use a second cloth dampened with water only to wipe away remaining debris and soap residue.

If screens have trapped a lot of debris, removing them and cleaning them with a hose sprayer is effective and efficient. Allow them to dry completely before reinstalling.

Dust and vacuum from top to bottom

Not all dust and debris gets trapped by window screens. Small particles can work their way in through the mesh, while some come through open doors and others are generated by everyday activities such as doing laundry. Thorough dusting and vacuuming provide clean surfaces and cleaner air.

Some people prefer to dust first, while others vacuum first. If surfaces have a heavy layer of dust, however, it may make sense to start with vacuuming using a brush attachment. Whichever task you prefer to do first, always work from top to bottom. Start upstairs and work your way down. Within each room, start at the ceiling and work down.

Dusting with a damp cloth helps trap dust and keep it from settling on other surfaces.

Change the HVAC filter

To keep indoor allergens at a minimum over the winter months, replace your HVAC filter. Filters work behind the scenes to keep circulating air free of dust, pollen, pet hair and other debris. After a summer that brought wildfire smoke throughout Michigan, filters may have caught more debris than usual and may need replacement sooner.

Mark your calendar to replace the filter in the coming months. The timing depends on the filter type and individual home conditions. One-inch filters are generally replaced every three months. The manufacturer’s recommendation for thicker filters can be as long as 12 months. However, households with pets or people with allergies may benefit from replacing the filter each month. Some people opt to change the filter every 60 days.

The risks of having a clogged filter include breathing in particles, more dust around the house and additional wear and tear on the HVAC system.  In severe cases, a clogged filter can lead to system failure and costly repairs. Changing filters regularly can help reduce those risks and potentially save money.

Reverse your ceiling fan’s direction

If you use ceiling fans to make your home more comfortable, make sure the fan spins clockwise  at low speed during the colder months. The clockwise setting helps circulate warm air evenly around the room, which can make the space feel more comfortable.

To change the fan’s direction, look for a small switch on the motor housing. You may also be able to switch the direction using a remote control or smartphone app if your fan is equipped with these features.

A little fall cleaning and maintenance can go a long way toward making your home comfortable this winter.

 

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