In this post, we share smart tips for both outdoor and indoor cleaning to prepare for autumn and winter! 

In the outdoor section, we focus on preparing the garden for winter by putting away summer items and cleaning garden tools with soap and warm water to keep algae and mold at bay! In the indoor section, we focus on clearing the entryway for winter shoes and clothes and using moth repellent to protect seasonal clothing. To improve the indoor environment, we offer tips on dusting thoroughly and switching to environmentally friendly light sources. We also provide advice on cleaning the oven and behind the stove before preparing Christmas food, using environmentally friendly cleaning products, and considering natural alternatives instead of harsh chemicals to protect the environment and health.

 

It’s high time for autumn cleaning!

Smart autumn cleaning, outdoors:

• Put away all of your summer items. Feel free to scrub garden furniture, pots, and garden tools with soap and warm water. The superfat soap keeps algae, mold, and bacteria at bay. It is also much more enjoyable to bring out clean items in the spring. A scrub brush, eco-fiber cloth, solid or liquid soap, and warm water in a bucket work well. Rinse with the garden hose. Let everything dry and put it away.

• Make sure to clear the garden and flower beds of anything “edible.” Apples and other leftover garden materials easily become a feast for rats, which dig tunnels under the snow. If you have had problems with rats during previous winters, you can place juniper branches where you suspect rats may get in—by basement windows, vents in the foundation, and so on. This is no guarantee that you will be rid of them, but rats really dislike juniper branches.

• Clean the windows before winter. You will thank yourself when it is time to hang up the Advent stars! If temperatures are already below freezing, solve the problem by adding a little denatured alcohol to the water to prevent it from freezing. At the same time, check that your window frames and weatherstripping are intact and in good condition. If not, it is a good idea to replace them now. This can make a significant difference to your electricity consumption during the winter. 

• Finally, place a sturdy doormat outside the front door and put up or hang an old-fashioned  birch-twig broom. This way, you avoid bringing dirt from outdoor shoes and snow into your home. The birch-twig broom can hang outdoors under cover. It is very effective against both dirt and snow.

   

 Smart autumn cleaning, indoors:

• Clear out the entryway and make room for winter shoes and clothing. Keep in mind that winter clothes take up more space than summer clothes, so be thorough when clearing out. Remember to use moth repellent when storing seasonal clothing. Natural red cedar moth repellent is preferable because it is completely non-toxic.

• When you bring out your winter clothes, is there anything you no longer need? Maybe you have bought a new winter jacket, or the children’s snowsuits have become too small? Please consider those in need. There is always an organization collecting warm clothes to help people who need them during the cold winter.

• Empty all recycling containers. Newspapers, batteries, and plastic all tend to pile up and accumulate during autumn and winter.

• Take the opportunity to beat your rugs and air out your bedding while there is no snow. It is always extra work to shovel out railings and the rug-beating rack for this purpose.

• The air often becomes much drier during winter, causing dust to swirl around our homes. Take the opportunity to dust, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum thoroughly, including behind heavy furniture, to keep the indoor air cleaner. Dust bookshelves and ceiling moldings effectively with a genuine ostrich-feather duster.

  – Another tip for a better indoor environment is to replace all candles with genuine stearin candles, candle holders, or soy-wax candles that are not petroleum-based, as petroleum is not ideal for the indoor environment.

• Clean the oven and clean behind the stove. It will soon be time for Christmas cooking and baking. For this, we recommend an eco-fiber cloth and solid soap. A fatty soap dissolves cooking grease very effectively. Read more about how to use solid soap in the following blog post: How to use solid and liquid soap?

• We also recommend phasing out harsh cleaning products in favor of natural ones.

   

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Questions and answers

 

- Why is it important to clean garden tools and furniture before winter?

Cleaning garden tools and furniture with soap and warm water helps keep algae, mold, and bacteria away during winter while preparing everything for a fresh start in spring.

 

- What can you do to prevent rats from getting into the garden during winter?

To prevent rats, clear the garden of leftover materials and place juniper branches in places where rats may get in, such as by basement windows and the foundation.

 

- Why is it good to use environmentally friendly light sources instead of ordinary lamps?

Environmentally friendly light sources, such as genuine stearin candles or soy-wax candles, are better for the indoor environment because they are not petroleum-based and do not release harmful substances.

 

- What is the advantage of cleaning the oven with an eco-fiber cloth and solid soap?

Eco-fiber cloths and solid soap are effective at dissolving cooking grease and are environmentally friendly alternatives to harsh chemicals, which is particularly important when preparing Christmas food and baking.

 

- Why do we recommend replacing harsh cleaning products with natural alternatives?

By using natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals, you reduce the risk of harmful fumes and environmental impact while maintaining a clean and healthy indoor environment.

 

Order natural cleaning products here: Västerbottenssåpa