Most cleaning checklists are written for a mild, humid somewhere. Reno sits in the high desert at around 4,500 feet, with four real seasons, a dry wind most summer afternoons, freezing winter nights, and in some years weeks of wildfire smoke. That changes what needs doing and when. The lists below are built for a typical Reno home: carpet in some rooms and hard floors in others, sliding windows, a forced air furnace, and in many homes an evaporative cooler or a wood stove.
Weekly
Dust and floors, the big one in Reno
- Damp dust tables, shelves, TV stands, and nightstands.
- Wipe window sills and the ledges of sliding doors, where wind-blown grit collects.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs, including along the baseboards, with a HEPA vacuum if you have one.
- Dust mop or vacuum hard floors before mopping so grit does not scratch them.
- Shake out or vacuum entry mats.
Kitchen
- Counters, stovetop, sink, and the microwave.
- Appliance fronts and cabinet handles.
- Trash and recycling out, and the bin wiped.
- The floor in front of the stove and sink.
Bathrooms
- Toilets, sinks, mirrors, and counters.
- Shower and tub. Squeegee the glass, because water dries fast here and leaves mineral spots.
- Fresh towels and bath mats.
Bedrooms
- Change sheets. Static in dry air makes lint and pet hair cling to bedding, so a quick pass with a lint roller between washes helps.
Monthly
- Vacuum window and slider tracks, then wipe them with a damp cloth.
- Dust blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and the tops of door frames.
- Wipe baseboards, switch plates, and door handles.
- Check the furnace filter and replace it as needed. Dust, pollen, and smoke load it quickly.
- Clean out the refrigerator and toss old food.
- Clean the dishwasher filter, and run an empty cycle with a cup of vinegar on the top rack if mineral film is building up.
- Descale the showerhead and faucet aerators.
Seasonal
Spring
- Wash windows inside and out once the spring winds calm down.
- Clean or replace evaporative cooler pads, clean the reservoir, and check the float and pump before the first hot day, or have a professional do it.
- Wash curtains and vacuum upholstery to clear winter dust and wood smoke residue.
- Clean window screens before putting them back up.
Summer
- Keep spare HVAC filters on hand for smoke season.
- After smoky days, damp wipe surfaces, vacuum with HEPA, and change the filter.
- Drain and clean the swamp cooler reservoir from time to time during the season.
- Sweep dust off the patio and outdoor furniture instead of hosing it away.
Fall
- Have the furnace serviced and put in a fresh filter before the first cold night.
- If you have a wood stove or fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned before burning season.
- Drain and cover the swamp cooler for winter and close its vent so cold air and dust stay out.
- Clean gutters after the leaves drop and before the snow.
Winter
- Set up an entry station: a boot tray, a heavy mat outside, and a washable mat inside. Snow, slush, and de-icer residue are hard on hardwood and carpet.
- Mop entry floors with plain warm water or a pH neutral cleaner to lift the white film de-icing salt leaves behind.
- Clean humidifiers often, and use distilled water if they leave white dust.
- Remove wood stove ash only when it is completely cold, and store it in a metal container with a lid, outside and away from the house. Ash can stay hot for days.
- Follow Washoe County's wood burning advisories on cold, still days.
Cleaning an older Reno home
Many homes near downtown and in neighborhoods like Old Southwest Reno are decades old. Before scrubbing hard, take care with:
- Original hardwood: use a cleaner made for finished wood floors and a barely damp mop. Standing water damages old finishes.
- Older paint: homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. Do not dry sand or scrape peeling paint. Wet wipe the dust from sills and floors instead, and follow EPA lead-safe guidance for any repairs.
- Vintage tile and fixtures: skip abrasive powders on old enamel and colored grout.
Reno cleaning checklist questions
How often should I dust in Reno?
Weekly for the main living areas is a good baseline. Reno's dry air and afternoon winds deposit fine dust quickly, especially on window sills, blinds, and electronics. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth so the dust is captured rather than stirred back into the air.
How do I clean de-icer residue off floors in winter?
Mop with warm water or a pH neutral floor cleaner and dry the floor afterward. Put heavy mats outside and inside each entry, and use a boot tray so slush never reaches hardwood or carpet.
When should I clean my swamp cooler in Reno?
In spring, before the first hot days, replace or clean the pads and clean the reservoir. Drain and clean it periodically through summer, then drain, cover, and close it off in fall before freezing weather.
How should I dispose of wood stove ashes?
Let ashes cool completely, then put them in a metal container with a tight lid and keep it outside, away from the house, the deck, and anything that can burn. Ashes can hold heat for days.