With the holiday coming at you fast and furious, you want to be sure your home is cozy, but with that fresh-as-spring feel — as opposed to that musty-damp-winter feel.
Here’s how to make that happen (along with a few other timely tips):
#1 Wash Bed Pillows
You love your trusty, old, perfectly-snugged-to-your-head pillow. But guess what’s also snug against your head? Fungus — 4 to 16 species to be precise. Gross!
With fall being the height of guest season, you’ll want your pillows fresh, too. Pop them into the washing machine and dryer for an all-over clean feeling. (But check manufacturer advice, too. Some pillows shouldn’t be washed, but replaced instead.)
#2 Clean the Mattress, Too
Sleeping soundly gets even better when you know you’re lying on a clean and fresh mattress. The yuck factor: Skin cells and sweat get into the mattress, then dust mites show up for a dinner party featuring those tasty skin cell morsels.
You’ll want your mattress to be at it’s freshest. It’s easy to do: Vacuum it and then wipe it down with a cloth dampened with an upholstery shampoo. But be sure to let it dry; otherwise, you’re inviting mold. Also, be sure to rotate it 180 degrees to help keep it lump-free.
(Another option: If you’ve got a flippable mattress, go ahead and flip it. That, too, can help kill the yucky mites.)
#3 Insulate Windows
Bone-chilling drafts seriously detract from the cozy vibe you want. Keep it cozy by hanging drapes as close to your windows as possible to help you keep the heat inside.
You can even add clear Velcro strips or dots to the back of the drape and attach to fasteners on the wall to help insulate. Be sure to cross one drape over the other when you close up for the night. Insulating shades can do the trick, too.
#4 Stock Up on Snow Supplies
If snow is a given where you live and you’re lacking supplies, take advantage of seasonal sales now to make sure you’re not the one rushing to the hardware store at the last minute, only to find out they just sold out of ice melt.
If you have a snow blower, be sure to have it serviced and fueled up before the first winter storm arrives — and with it, price hikes on all the snow stuff.
Related: 3 Brilliant Hacks to Make Snow Shoveling a Snap
#5 Trim Tree Branches
The last thing you need is a winter storm loosing the wrath of that mighty tree whose branches are angling over your roof. Long limbs invite pests to explore your roof and allow excess water to seep into cracks in the roof or siding.
Keep limbs and branches at least three feet from the house. Plus, it’s easier to trim branches after leaves have fallen. (If it’s an evergreen, well, sorry about that. It’ll be a prickly job, but the bonus is you’ll have greenery for the holidays!)
Related: 7 Dirty Places Your Guests See, But (Shock!) You Don’t!
#6 Get Your Guest Bathrooms Ready
When you have guests dropping by for Thanksgiving or winter holidays, you can’t keep the bathrooms off limits. And even if you’re not entertaining, who wants to have a water leak or need a plumber during your family’s celebration?
Give your bathrooms an inspection and some elbow grease now, while you’re less distracted. Look for signs of leaks, including sweaty surfaces and drips; a musty smell; damaged paint, walls, or flooring; mold or mildew; wetness in cabinets; a wobbly toilet; or a loose faucet, according to Angi. Check out that guest bathroom that’s seldom used, and flush the toilet and scrub the rings. In every bathroom, deep clean floors and surfaces, so you can do lighter cleaning as the holidays get closer.