Winter Cleaning as Worship: A Mom’s Heartfelt Checklist

Winter comes with holidays and lots of… winter cleaning. The weather changes (in my area, it means muddy and snowy boots and paws)… Extensive Christmas cooking brings havoc to my kitchen. Kids are home for holidays (you know the consequences). Guests yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I forgot to mention crafts and presents that make me feel like I’m drowning in clutter. NONETHELESS, in the middle of this holy mess, I decide not to grumble but to worship. Not to chase Instagram-inspired perfectionism but to humbly serve my family through winter cleaning. It’s just the season. If I cannot change the circumstances (and I don’t want to because I love Christmas time), I can change the attitude. I choose JOY, so in this post, I’ll give you my winter cleaning checklist, which I hope will help you make the process more joy-filled, God-centred, and effective.

My relationship with winter cleaning

I’m not a cleaning freak. A clean home is no longer an idol to me. It has become what it should be: just a clean home. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I don’t care if it’s perfect. (That is why I feel okay delegating cleaning tasks to my three older kids.)

I treat cleaning as a way to show love to people God gave me to take care of. As a homeowner, a wife, and a mom of four, I believe God put me in a position where taking care is my primary ministry. God meets me in this.

So, in December, during this sweet and blessed Advent time, winter cleaning becomes a form of worship to me (I clean inside my heart, too!) as a way to prepare my home and heart for Christmas to welcome my Savior. In January, winter cleaning gets a decluttering shift as a way to thank God for the new year. In February, winter cleaning gives me hope that my spring cleaning won’t be too merciless on me because I’ve been a good girl all winter long, hhhh).

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Winter cleaning checklist and tips

Connection over perfection

Do not focus on perfection. You will never please or impress God with a spotless house and rich Christmas decorations if you step over your family to achieve the result. The human heart is always more important to the Lord than our good deeds. The story of Mary and Martha is proof of it. Business and a focus on outer accomplishments steal joy, and, what is more, they steal you of an opportunity to connect with Jesus.

To God, our inner cleanliness is more important than the outer one. Remember what Jesus said?

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matthew 23:25-26)

Use winter cleaning as an opportunity to connect with God in the quietness of your heart. Repent of your sins (sinful thoughts, desires, and wrong motives, too!). Let go of grudges and forgive those who have wronged you. Pursue cleanliness inside first. Get renewed in His grace and get refilled with the Holy Spirit Who makes you able to serve your beloved family through cleaning!

If quiet time is a dream, grab your kids and clean together, using the symbolism of a clean house to explain to kids how God wants our hearts to be cleaned.

Decluttering (step 0 in your winter cleaning)

No need to wait for the New Year urge to purge. If it’s in your hair, deal with it now. It is especially true for your autumn decorations (all those plates, wreaths, serving platters, and kitchen linens that make your home feel so cozy as you used to sit covered in a blanket sipping your pumpkin latte). Thank them and lovingly store them until the next season. Similarly, wash and put away fall clothes. Empty your living space for winter clothes, gear, and decorations. New season, new vibes! If you are having guests these holidays, declutter the guest room to make their stay comfortable and welcoming.

Mudroom winter cleaning tips

The mudroom, often the first and last stop for family members, can quickly become a chaotic mess with all those muddy boots, wet coats, and snowy gear.

Empty out every nook and cranny, sorting items into categories like coats, hats, gloves, boots, and winter gear.
Clean the space thoroughly with a disinfectant cleaner to kill germs and bacteria (viruses can be brought indoors on footwear and bags). Wipe down surfaces, vacuum the floor, and clean any spills or stains.
Place multiple mats at the entrance to trap dirt and moisture. A sturdy outdoor mat can handle heavy boots, while indoor mats can absorb moisture and dirt.
Designate a specific area for wet shoes. Consider using a boot tray or a drying rack to keep them off the floor.
Keep a pet paw cleaner at the entrance to serve your furry family members as they come in. There are many products for cleaning pet paws, but if you doubt, antibacterial wet wipes are just as helpful!
Prepare a basket with guest sleepers (or guest socks) to encourage your visitors to take off their shoes (this will help protect the floor and stop the spread of dirt).

Disinfecting high-touch surfaces

Winter is a prime time for colds and flu. With little ones running around, germs can spread like wildfire. That’s why it’s essential to give your home a good disinfecting during winter cleaning. Focus on high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and toys. Use a gentle, child-friendly disinfectant to wipe them down. Don’t forget to clean electronics like phones and tablets, as they can harbor germs too. A quick wipe-down with a disinfectant wipe can make a big difference.

Windows, blinds, and curtains…

Winter can be a cozy time, but let’s be honest, it can also be a gloomy one. Dirty windows can make our homes feel even darker and drearier. So, grab your cleaning supplies, put on some cozy Christmas music, and let’s get those windows sparkling!

Remove any curtains or blinds that might get in the way.
Wipe down the window frames with a damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime. If your window frames are wooden like mine, use plain water only (no glass cleaner or vinegar).
Spray the glass with a glass cleaner and use a microfiber cloth to wipe it clean. Use a squeegee to remove excess liquid. No glass cleaner? Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
Use a clean, dry cloth to remove any streaks or watermarks.
Wash and iron the curtains following the care labels.

This Christmas music has been so delightful lately.

Refreshing bedding, blankets, and rugs

In our family, we use blankets heavily. For cozy cuddling with a book, building forts, and sometimes even for swaddling dolls and, LOL, a cat. So I have nothing to do but wash them frequently.

Indoor air quality in winter greatly depends on the content of blankets, bedding, duvets, comforters, and rugs because they are notorious dust and allergen magnets. Washing them frequently (according to care labels) helps wash away allergens and keep indoor air fresh and healthy. For bedding, use a hot cycle and tumble dry on high heat to kill the germs and dust mites.

By the way, if you haven’t rotated your mattress for ages, it’s time! Normally, we should do it once a season for even wear and comfortable winter sleep.

Organizing your pantry

A cluttered pantry can lead to mealtime chaos and wasted food, which can make holiday cooking underwhelming. Knowing what you have helps you avoid impulse purchases (which saves money), eat healthier food, and get creative while cooking. So adding a pantry to your winter cleaning checklist before winter ingredients arrive is important.

Empty shelves. Sort through your items and discard any expired or unwanted food.
Wipe down the shelves with a damp cloth and a multi-purpose cleaner to remove crumbs and spills.
Group similar items together, such as canned goods, pasta, and spices.
Use clear containers to store dry goods like pasta, rice, and flour. This will help you see what you have and prevent spills.

Fridge winter cleaning tips

During holidays, tons of food go through our fridges, and it is a good winter cleaning tip to get our faithful servants ready for their food-preserving duty. CDC recommends not only cleaning our refrigerators but also disinfecting them because the low temperature doesn’t stop germ growth completely. So, if you don’t remember the last time you disinfected your fridge, better do it now to meet flu season safely.

Defrost the freezer if necessary.
Empty the fridge. Remove removable shelves and drawers to wash them separately.
Give your fridge a good scrub-down with warm, soapy water. Don’t forget to wipe down the inside of the doors and any drawers that can’t be removed.
Mix one tablespoon of bleach with a gallon of water. Wipe down all surfaces with this solution.
After disinfecting, rinse the surfaces with clean water and dry them thoroughly with a clean cloth.

winter cleaning checklist — Image: Pexels

Sprucing up your oven

I’m not a cleaning freak, but I’m a baking one, and winter is the season for it. We bake meat, fish, cookies, sometimes bread, and pretty much everything that fits a baking tray or a Dutch oven. That is why I always deep clean my oven before Thanksgiving or in early December to keep it clean during the holidays and Advent baking. In January, I deep-clean it again.

Note: If you have a self-cleaning oven, never clean it by hand because it will void the warranty. Use the self-cleaning function only!

Ensure your oven is completely cool before cleaning.
Take out the oven racks and soak them in warm, soapy water.
Line the floor in front of the oven with newspaper to protect it.
Use a commercial oven cleaner or a homemade solution of baking soda (4 parts), dish soap (1 part), and water (1 part) to scrub the interior of the oven. What I learned about deep cleaning my oven is that timing is crucial. Some oven cleaners don’t work fast, so apply the product richly and let it soak for some time (30 minutes minimum). Then scrub away the baked-on food with a scouring pad (an old credit card or steel wool) and wipe away all the mess with paper towels.
Scrub the oven racks with a stiff brush and dish soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Clean the exterior of the oven with a damp cloth.

By the way, if you love baking this Bake through the Bible at Christmas book by Susie Bentley-Taylor is an amazing way to teach your kids about the meaning of Christmas through baking.

Deep cleaning carpets and cushions

In winter, our homes are more closed due to the weather. It means that air circulation slows down and allergens accumulate faster in their favorite places — carpets and cushions. That is why deep cleaning your carpets in winter is not only about the cozy aesthetics. It is about your family’s health. Who knows what lives inside, right?

Start by vacuuming your carpets to remove loose dirt and debris. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas and corners. In winter, I usually vacuum twice a week or daily in high-traffic areas.
Pretreat stains. Baking soda can do wonders on fresh carpet stains, but I personally prefer to have a heavy-duty carpet stain remover like Resolve at hand to save time, especially during the holiday season.
Shampoo your carpets with ZEP All-Purpose carpet shampoo (which has been reliable and affordable so far) if you have a carpet cleaning machine or you can rent it. My favorite method is to spray the solution over the vacuumed carpet, let it sit, and then clean the carpet with a machine with only pure water in a tank (this approach helps prevent a sticky residue carpet cleaning products leave which later can become a magnet for dust, making your carpets look dingy).
If you have no machine, no problem. In this post about cleaning carpet stains with baking soda, I explain how you can deep clean and refresh your carpets with natural ingredients and a regular vacuum.
Wash rugs and removable cushion cases according to the care labels.

Bathroom winter cleaning tips

My winter cleaning checklist wouldn’t be full without every mommy’s last refuge — the bathroom!

With the colder months upon us, a clean and inviting bathroom can be a much-needed escape. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a long day, especially when it’s cozy and clean. What I like about this part of winter cleaning is that I can lock myself in the bathroom with a cup of Christmas tea, turn on my favorite Christmas music and just have fun cleaning (I leave a potty for the youngest behind the doors, hhh).

Start by clearing the clutter from the countertops, sink, and tub.
Next, tackle the toilet, scrubbing the bowl, tank, and base with a toilet bowl cleaner. Don’t forget to wipe down the toilet seat.
Move on to the sink and countertop. Give them a good scrub with a bathroom cleaner, paying special attention to any water stains or soap scum.
For the tub or shower, use a bathroom cleaner and a scrub brush to remove any grime or mildew.
Finally, clean the mirror with a glass cleaner and wipe down the floor with a disinfectant.
Wash your shower curtain (you won’t believe me, but it’s the dirtiest item in your bathroom). If it’s too worn out or moldy, do not wash it in your washing machine. Better replace it with a new shower curtain that is mold and soap-scum-resistant.

Soap scum and hard-water stains on glass shower doors are overwhelming, but I have found an effective and cheap handmade solution. I mix 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of water, and a tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle. After spraying over the glass, let it work for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing. It works wonders on a shower head, fixtures, tiles, and moldy grout, too! The only caution is to keep the window open or turn on your ventilation system while cleaning due to vinegar fumes.

Winter cleaning doesn’t stop here. I also recommend cleaning outdoor furniture and patio (if haven’t done it yet), checking the gutters (must be free of leaves and debris), and cleaning the fireplace. However, I hope you can expect a male helping hand with this! Delegate winter cleaning tasks that are beyond your skills. It’s also caring if you hire a professional! Take care, and keep Christmas in your heart always!

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Winter Cleaning As Worship (Checklist to Get Your Home and Heart Ready for Holidays)

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Winter cleaning isn't just about a tidy home. It's a spiritual practice. Declutter your space and your heart for a truly blessed winter season. Discover a winter cleaning checklist and practical tips, as well as a spiritual reflection on how cleaning brings you closer to God.

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Mom's Glow