Winter is a challenging season for real estate businesses. Not only do you have to deal with the cold weather, snow, and ice, but you also have to keep your properties clean and attractive for potential buyers and tenants. A dirty or poorly maintained property can deter customers and damage your reputation. That’s why you need a smart winter cleaning checklist to ensure that your properties are in tip-top shape throughout the season.
In this article, we will share with you a comprehensive winter cleaning checklist that covers all the areas of your properties that need special attention during the winter months. We will also provide you with some tips and tricks on how to make your winter cleaning more efficient and effective. By following this checklist, you will be able to keep your properties sparkling clean and ready for any opportunity.
Exterior Cleaning
The exterior of your properties is the first thing that your customers will see, so you want to make a good impression. Here are some of the tasks that you should include in your exterior winter cleaning checklist:
- Clear snow and ice from driveways, sidewalks, and entrances. This is not only important for aesthetic reasons, but also for safety and accessibility. You don’t want your customers to slip and fall or have trouble getting in and out of your properties. Use a snow blower, shovel, or plow to remove snow and ice as soon as possible after a snowfall. You can also use salt, sand, or de-icing products to prevent ice from forming or to melt it faster.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water damage, ice dams, and roof leaks. To prevent these problems, you should clean your gutters and downspouts regularly, especially before and after a snowstorm. Remove any leaves, twigs, dirt, and debris that may have accumulated in them. You can use a ladder, a hose, a gutter scoop, or a gutter cleaning tool to do this. You should also check for any cracks, holes, or loose parts and repair them as needed.
- Wash windows and doors. Dirty windows and doors can make your properties look dull and uninviting. To brighten them up, you should wash them at least once a month during the winter. Use a squeegee, a microfiber cloth, and a window cleaner to remove any dust, dirt, fingerprints, and smudges from the glass. You can also use a soft brush and a mild detergent to clean the frames, sills, and tracks. Don’t forget to wipe the door handles, knobs, and locks as well.
- Sweep and mop porches, decks, and patios. These areas can get dirty and slippery from the snow, ice, and mud. To keep them clean and safe, you should sweep and mop them regularly. Use a broom, a dustpan, and a mop to remove any loose dirt and debris. You can also use a pressure washer, a scrub brush, and a mild cleaner to remove any stains, mold, or mildew. Rinse well and let them dry completely.
- Remove trash and debris from the yard. Trash and debris can accumulate in your yard during the winter, especially if there are strong winds or storms. To keep your yard neat and tidy, you should remove any trash and debris that you find. You can use a rake, a trash bag, and a pair of gloves to do this. You should also trim any overgrown branches, shrubs, or plants that may block the view or the access to your properties.
Interior Cleaning
The interior of your properties is where your customers will spend most of their time, so you want to make them feel comfortable and cozy. Here are some of the tasks that you should include in your interior winter cleaning checklist:
- Dust and vacuum all surfaces. Dust and dirt can accumulate on all surfaces during the winter, especially if you have a heating system that circulates air. To keep your properties dust-free and fresh, you should dust and vacuum all surfaces at least once a week. Use a duster, a vacuum cleaner, and a microfiber cloth to remove any dust, dirt, cobwebs, and pet hair from the floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, appliances, fixtures, and decor. Don’t forget to dust and vacuum the corners, the baseboards, the vents, and the blinds as well.
- Clean and disinfect bathrooms and kitchens. Bathrooms and kitchens are the most used and the most germ-prone areas of your properties, so you want to keep them clean and sanitary. To do this, you should clean and disinfect them at least once a week. Use a sponge, a scrubber, a disinfectant, and a cleaner to remove any soap scum, lime scale, grease, stains, and odors from the sinks, faucets, countertops, cabinets, tiles, showers, bathtubs, toilets, and appliances. You should also replace or wash any towels, mats, curtains, or rugs that may be dirty or damp.
- Wash and change bedding and linens. Bedding and linens can get dirty and smelly from the sweat, oil, and dust that accumulate on them. To keep them fresh and hygienic, you should wash and change them at least once every two weeks. Use a washer, a dryer, and a detergent to wash and dry any sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters, duvets, and covers. You should also fluff and rotate the pillows and the mattresses to prevent them from sagging or losing their shape.
- Clean and polish furniture and woodwork. Furniture and woodwork can get dull and scratched from the wear and tear that they endure. To keep them shiny and smooth, you should clean and polish them at least once a month. Use a soft cloth, a wood cleaner, and a wood polish to remove any dust, dirt, fingerprints, and marks from the tables, chairs, desks, shelves, cabinets, and other wooden items. You should also check for any nicks, dents, or cracks and repair them as needed.
Clean and deodorize carpets and rugs. Carpets and rugs can get stained and smelly from the spills, dirt, and odors that they absorb. To keep them clean and fresh, you should clean and deodorize them at least once every three months. You can use a vacuum cleaner, a carpet cleaner, a stain remover, and a deodorizer to remove any dirt, dust, stains, and odors from the carpets and rugs. You can also hire a professional carpet cleaning service to do a deep cleaning for you.
