Winter Organizing Checklist: Preparing Your Home for the Cold Season
Photo by jgareri
Winter is coming, and it’s bringing chilly temps, longer nights, and… plenty of challenges for your home.
Prepping homes for winter isn’t just about staying cozy. A little planning goes a long way to save money, avoid stress (and headaches), and keep life running smoothly when the snow starts to fall!
Most people know to pull out their winter coats and check the thermostat, but there are plenty of tasks that slip through the cracks (literally 🥶). From sealing drafty windows to prepping your pantry for storms, this guide has everything you need to winterize your home like a pro—plus a few tips you might not have thought of! 😉
1. Layer Up Your Home
Just like you add layers to your outfit, your home needs protection from the chill!
Seal drafts: Inspect windows, doors, and even your attic and basement for gaps where heat can escape. Add weather stripping, caulk, or draft stoppers to block the cold. Drafty windows and doors are like leaving your fridge open—it wastes energy and makes everything colder. Let’s fix that.
Switch curtains: Trade your lightweight summer curtains for thicker, thermal ones to insulate your windows and keep rooms warmer. Plus, it feels sort of like blankets for your windows? We love that.
Extra comforts: Speaking of blankets, stash blankets and throws in easy-to-reach places for instant coziness. Bonus: they double as stylish decor when rolled or folded into a cute basket!
2. Give Your Heating System Some TLC
Your furnace works hard to keep you warm—don’t let it down! A neglected furnace is an inefficient furnace, and no one wants a breakdown in January.
Replace filters: Dirty filters make your furnace work harder, costing you more and reducing its lifespan. Aim to replace or clean them monthly (hot tip: eeva helps you stay on top of things like this).
Professional tune-up: Schedule a pre-winter checkup with an HVAC technician to catch potential issues. A professional inspection can catch things before they turn into expensive repairs.
Upgrade your thermostat: A programmable or smart thermostat can save you money by adjusting the heat when you’re out or asleep. It’s the 21st century after all!
Photo by Bill Oxford
3. Protect Your Pipes
A burst pipe can cost thousands in repairs—not to mention the stress of cleaning up water damage. But with a few proactive precautions, you can keep the water flowing. 🌊
Wrap them up: Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, or garages to protect them from freezing temperatures. Something like foam pipe covers or even pool noodles can do the trick!
Outdoor faucet check: Disconnect hoses and drain outdoor spigots to prevent freezing and cracking. If your faucets have shutoff valves, turn them off for extra protection.
Where’s the shutoff valve?: Know where your main water valve is so you can act fast during a freeze. In case of a burst pipe, shutting off the water quickly can minimize damage. Phew!
4. Winterize the Forgotten Corners
Out of sight, out of mind… doesn’t work in winter. Neglected areas like chimneys and gutters can cause major headaches if left unchecked.
Clear gutters: Remove leaves and debris to prevent ice dams, which can cause sneaky water damage to your roof and walls.
Clean the chimney: If you plan on cozying up by the fire this winter, make sure your chimney is clean and safe to use. Call in a pro if it’s been a while. A dirty chimney is a fire hazard, instead of a fire haven.
Stock the garage: Organize your winter gear—like snow shovels, ice melt, and snowblowers—so it’s ready when you need it.
Photo by Alena Ozerova
5. Get Your Pantry Winter-Ready
A stocked pantry isn’t just nice to have—it’s your first line of defense against snowstorms and busy days.
Staples and snacks: Load up on essentials like canned goods, broths, pasta, and baking supplies for winter recipes. And don’t forget yummy treats like hot chocolate and popcorn for those cozy nights in!
Emergency food: Set aside non-perishables and bottled water for power outages. Think granola bars, nuts, and ready-to-eat soups.
Meal prep bonus: Consider batch cooking hearty soups and stews to freeze for those nights when cooking feels impossible. Need some ideas for dishes no matter your taste? Check these out!
6. Reinvent Your Entryway
Winter weather is messy! And your entryway is your first defense against snow, slush, and salt damaging your floors.
Create a wet zone: Set up a dedicated area for wet boots, coats, and scarves. A boot tray and some hooks can work wonders.
Upgrade doormats: Place a durable mat outside and an absorbent one inside to catch dirt and slush before it gets tracked through the house. Why not get a cute winter-themed one while you’re at it?
Umbrella stand: Rain doesn’t take a vacation just because it’s winter. Have a stand ready to contain those soggy umbrellas.
Photo by hdere
7. Master the Small but Mighty Details
It’s the little things! No really, it’s the little things that make a big difference in how comfortable and stress-free your winter feels.
Reverse ceiling fans: Switching your fans to spin clockwise circulates warm air trapped near the ceiling. Who knew?!
Assemble a storm kit: Assemble flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a portable phone charger in an easy-to-reach place. Add a deck of cards or board games for some fun if the power goes out!
Emergency Contacts: Save numbers for your go-to plumber, electrician, and HVAC technician with a tool like eeva to ease that mid-winter crisis.
Ready to Winterize with eeva?
A little preparation now means a lot less chaos later! Whether it’s avoiding a frozen-pipe fiasco or simply ensuring your home feels cozy and welcoming, these small tasks can make a big difference.
Winter organizing doesn’t have to feel like a time-sinking chore—especially when eeva’s here to help you stay on top of it all. Add these tasks to your eeva checklist, set some reminders, categorize your contacts, and let us be the ultimate helper for your home and life! Learn more about eeva here.
Stay warm, stay organized, and let’s conquer this winter together! Bonus points: create a seasonal maintenance routine to make sure your home stays in tip-top shape year round!
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