Before the wettest months (roughly November through January), clear gutters and balcony drains, clean window tracks, change the furnace or HRV filter, vacuum heating vents and set up the entry for wet shoes. Then deep clean the kitchen and bathrooms before the holidays.
In Metro Vancouver, fall is when the rain comes back and stays. The weeks before the wettest stretch of the year — roughly November through January — are the best time to get your home ready: clear what will clog, clean what will get damp, and set up the entry for months of wet shoes and umbrellas. Here's a fall and winter checklist built for the West Coast.
Outside and the entry
- Clear gutters and downspouts once most of the leaves have dropped
- Sweep the balcony or patio and clear its drain
- Bring in or cover patio cushions and furniture
- Clean the front door and replace a worn-out doormat
- Set up a boot tray and a second mat inside the entry
- Add hooks for wet jackets and a stand for umbrellas
Windows and walls
- Vacuum and wipe window tracks so water can drain
- Check window frames and sills for black spots and clean them early
- Wipe condensation each morning once it starts (see our guide to window condensation and mould)
- Pull furniture a few inches away from outside walls
- Wash or vacuum curtains and wipe blinds
Heating and air
- Replace the furnace or HRV filter before the heating season
- Vacuum heating vents, returns and baseboard heaters before you turn them on — burning dust smells
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Clean the bathroom exhaust fan cover so the fan moves air properly
- Clean the range hood filter
Book a pre-winter deep cleanInside the oven and fridge, cabinets, baseboards and door frames on top of the full standard checklist. From $277.
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- Deep clean the kitchen before the holiday cooking season: inside the oven, fridge and microwave
- Scrub shower grout and check caulking for mildew
- Wash duvets, pillows and the bedding you'll switch to for winter
- Vacuum under beds and sofas
- Wipe baseboards and door frames, which collect grit in the wet months
- Clean and dry summer gear before storing it
A wet-season routine
- Shoes off at the door. Most of the grit that scratches floors comes in on shoes.
- Mop the entry more often than the rest of the house — weekly at least.
- Run fans in the bathroom and kitchen every time.
- Keep a regular cleaning schedule — homes get dirtier faster when everyone is inside. Our recurring plans guide explains how weekly, biweekly and monthly visits work.
If the holidays are on your calendar, our holiday guests checklist picks up where this one leaves off.
Frequently asked questions
What should I clean before winter in Vancouver?
Clear gutters and balcony drains, clean window tracks, change the furnace or HRV filter, vacuum heating vents, set up the entry for wet weather and give the kitchen and bathrooms a deep clean.
When is the rainy season in Vancouver?
Rain picks up in the fall, and the wettest months are typically November through January.
Why does my heater smell when I turn it on?
Usually dust burning off the heater or in the vents. Vacuum vents and baseboard heaters before the heating season starts.
How do I protect my floors in the rainy season?
Use mats inside and outside the door, take shoes off at the entry, and mop the entry more often. Grit on wet shoes is what scratches hardwood.
Is fall a good time for a deep clean?
Yes. A fall deep clean resets the kitchen and bathrooms before the holidays and the months when everyone is inside. Good Maid deep cleans start at $277.
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