A month by month plan for keeping a Denver home clean, built from National Weather Service snow and freeze records, CSU Extension insect timing and Denver's own utility calendar.
Spring cleaning in Denver is a moving target. The snowiest month is March, the last snow usually falls at the end of April, and the last freeze comes in early May, so the classic spring scrub often waits until late in the season. Then a different set of chores takes over: rain and hail in May and July, insects from late spring through fall, and dry, dusty weeks in between.
This calendar walks through the Denver year in order, with what tends to get dirty each month and what to clean before it does.
National Weather Service records for Denver show an average first freeze on October 7 and a last freeze on May 5. Measurable snow usually starts near October 19 and ends near April 28, adding up to 56.9 inches in an average season. Precipitation normals at Denver International Airport peak in May at 2.16 inches and July at 2.14 inches, while December and January average under 0.40 inches each.
Put together, that gives Denver a long snowy shoulder on both ends of winter, a short wet stretch in late spring and midsummer, and a very dry core of winter. The cleaning year follows the same shape.
Midwinter in Denver is cold but surprisingly dry. The Colorado Climate Center notes that winter brings dry air and strong winds, and precipitation is at its lowest. Dust on electronics, picture frames and ceiling fans becomes the main chore, along with the entry floors after each storm.
Denver Water also notes that its water runs slightly harder in winter, when reservoirs freeze. Expect a little more spotting on shower glass and faucets in these months than in summer.
March averages 11.5 inches of snow, more than any other month in the record going back to 1882. Big spring storms happen: the March 13 to 14, 2021 blizzard left 27.1 inches at Denver's official site. Chinook winds can then raise temperatures 25 to 35 degrees quickly, so heavy snow turns into slush and mud within a day or two.
This is mudroom season. Clean entry tile and grout often, vacuum the first few feet of carpet more than the rest, and wait on the full spring clean until the end of April, when the last snow has usually fallen.
May is the wettest month on average, and the last freeze usually comes around May 5. It is also hail season. The May 8, 2017 storm dropped stones up to 2.5 inches across Denver and became Colorado's most expensive insured catastrophe. After a hail day, check screens and window tracks for shredded leaves and grit before they get tracked in.
Colorado State University Extension says miller moth flights usually begin in mid May or early June and can last five to six weeks, with moths hiding in cracks around doors and garages. CSU recommends vacuuming them indoors or trapping them with a light over a pan of soapy water.
Denver Water's outdoor watering rules apply from May 1 to October 1 every year. Lawn irrigation is back on in this stretch, and wet sprinkler zones near walkways mean damp shoes at the door again.
July is nearly as wet as May, with afternoon storms that leave muddy paw prints and wet entries. CSU Extension says elm seed bugs enter homes from mid June through September and give off a foul odor when disturbed, so vacuum them rather than crushing them.
Denver Water's supply is softer from late spring through fall, when snowmelt dilutes the minerals, which makes summer an easier time for glass and fixtures. It is a good season to catch up on cabinet fronts, light fixtures and closets.
The average first freeze lands near October 7 and the first measurable snow near October 19. Before then, clean window tracks and wash screens while it is still comfortable to work outside, and put the entry mats back in place.
CSU Extension says boxelder bugs overwinter inside Colorado homes and crawl out on warm fall and winter days, and can stain drapes and light colored surfaces. Vacuum them from sills and window frames as they show up. Denver compost carts accept yard debris, so fall leaves and garden cleanup have somewhere to go besides the trash.
December averages 8.0 inches of snow and is the second snowiest month. A deep clean in early November gets the house ready for holiday guests before the heaviest indoor season begins.
The questions Denver homeowners ask most often about this topic, answered plainly.
TotalCare Cleaning will service Denver and surrounding areas with background-checked cleaners and is insured up to $1 million. Re-clean guarantee: if we missed something, tell us by the end of the next day and we come back to fix it. Beyond Clean. TotalCare.
