Get your home in great shape for the winter season before the snow falls or the torrential rain arrives.

You don’t need to wait until Spring to tackle your cleaning and projects—follow these steps to ensure you have a comfortable, cozy winter, and less work to do come Springtime.

If you’re like most people, odds are there are jars of spices hidden in the nooks and crannies of your pantry that lost their “oomph” long ago.

Day-to-day use means your once beautifully-organized pantry may be less tidy these days.

Time for an overhaul. Clear out your pantry of old, expired cans, spices, baking products, and other goods, and make room for the new!

Dust is a common allergen that can collect behind furniture, in carpets and area rugs, and on lampshades, chandeliers, and other lighting fixtures.

Give your home a good dusting and vacuuming for the winter, especially if you’re having guests over for the holidays.

If moving furniture and climbing ladders to get to hard-to-reach places is too difficult, a house cleaning service can help.

When the weather outside is frightful, make sure your kitchen is delightfully inviting!

Get your kitchen sparkling clean by:

• Scrubbing the oven, stovetop, and hood range

• Giving the inside of your fridge a good cleaning

• Disinfecting the tea kettle (a heavily-used item during the cold months).

If your cabinets are overflowing with pots and pans, consider giving extra items to charity.

Could there be a warmer welcome for guests than a basket of toasty slippers by the front door?

An assortment of cozy terrycloth slippers at your entryway will encourage guests to remove their wet, muddy boots and get comfortable.

If you have a fireplace or wood stove, make sure you’re stocked up on wood for a warm, inviting living space.

If you live in an area where snow storms and blizzards are common, you know that weather conditions can change dramatically in a matter of hours. Make sure you’re well-stocked on supplies in case the power goes out or you’re snowed in for a few days. Stock up on: • Batteries, flashlights, and candles • Canned/jarred foods • Firewood/other heating fuel • Water (a gallon per person per day,

for 3 days) • Pet and baby supplies • Tools (including a shovel)

When gutters are clogged with twigs, leaves, and debris, they can’t properly channel water away from your house.

This can drive water under your eaves and into your walls—an expensive mess that can lead to serious problems like mold.

Make sure gutters are clear of fall leaves. Hire a gutter cleaning service to help you, if necessary.

Weather stripping on windows and doors can make a tremendous difference toward keeping in heat during the winter months.

Test for air leaks on a cold day (with the heat on) by placing your hand around the edges of windows and doors. If you feel cold air, you have a leak.

Sealing up windows and doors will keep you toasty during the winter months and save you loads on your energy bill.

If you’re planning to be away from home during the winter months—whether for a month-long island getaway or a few days during the holidays—a home watch service is a must. A home-sitting service can take care of things while you’re away, including (but not limited to):

• Performing external and internal inspections of your home

• Bringing in newspapers and mail

• Watering plants

• Bringing garbage cans out, and back in from the curb

• Checking for leaks, signs of rodents, etc.

Founded in 1999 by, of course, 2 local gals in Salt Lake City, 2 Local Gals Housekeeping is proud to employ more than 20 gals who love to do house cleaning the right way! Services are offered hourly, with free quotes in advance, customized to whatever your home or office needs.

Visit our website to get a free quote at www.2localgals.com.