Trying to keep a clean, hygienically sound home during the winter? What things you should you pay more attention to when carrying out your cleaning chores

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When it comes to deep-cleaning of our homes, spring cleaning is, as they say, "the big one", preparing our abodes in anticipation of the start of more "comfortable climes".

That said, some thorough cleaning needs to be carried out in the wintertime to ensure our homes remain sanitized, hygienic and free of any health risks.

So, what things should we pay more attention to when we carry out cleaning chores during the winter? Well, keep reading to find out:

1. Heating

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Are you sure that your heating system is running clean and efficiently? Whether you heat your home using gas, a pellet or wood stove, a fireplace or radiators, cleaning the elements of these heating systems is important for the following reasons:

• to ensure the air circulating in the home is clean;
• to keep the heating system working efficiently.

Radiators, heat pumps, stoves and fireplaces tend to attract a lot of dust, hair and pet fur that can reduce the quality of the air inside your home. This grime can also cause your heating system/s to under-perform.

Clean the elements of your heating system (like the radiators or air con filters, for example) regularly to avoid these health risks and under-performance inconveniences.

2. Floors

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In winter, it's much easier for the floors in your house to get dirty, no matter how you try to avoid this happening. For this reason, it's important that you pay more attention to cleaning your floors to maintain good hygiene standards in your home.

Throughout the winter, make sure you sweep and wash your floors more frequently than usual. The use of rugs can also help: lay out washable rugs in high-traffice areas, such as the entryway, corridors and areas where you spend most of your time when indoors. It's easy to wash these rugs regularly and keep your home cleaner in the wintertime.

3. Blankets

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Blankets help us stay warm in bed, of course, but also when used when we're lounging around on a sofa or sitting in an armchair. However, with frequent use, blankets tend to pick up a lot of dirt and dust, making it necessary to wash them frequently (and especially if you have kids and/or pets in the home).

4. Bed linen

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Bed linen also need to be washed and cleaned more often in the winter: the cold temperatures outdoors leads us to spend more time under the covers. This, in turn, means more sweat, dead skin cells and other "biologicals" get deposited on the bed linen. Given this, it is important to air out your bed every morning and change the sheets and pillowcases at least once a week during the winter.

5. Handles and switches

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Our hands are the perfect vehicles for germs to "get around" the home during the winter. For this reason, it's important to pay attention to thoroughly cleaning the handles of doors, windows, cabinets and light switches too. Clean these items regularly - at least once a week - to maintain good hygiene standards in your home. Washing your hands more frequently will also help, of course!

6. Windows

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Many of us forget about our windows when we're doing our cleaning chores. However, keeping your windows clean and in good condition is essential to ensure they continue to ensure privacy and shield you from the elements. Winter conditions can be hard on windows, however, so keep a close eye on them to ensure they remain in good shape.

The insides of the windows may also require more care due to condensation build-up caused by the the large differences in temperatures between the inside and the outside of your home.

What other parts of your home do you pay more attention to when carrying out cleaning chores during the wintertime?