A cleaning calendar built on Des Moines weather normals: what to do during the coldest weeks of January, the heavy rain of May and June, the heat of July, ragweed in late summer and the insects of fall.
Chores make more sense when they follow the weather. This calendar uses NOAA normals for Des Moines and Iowa State University Extension's notes on local pests and pollen, so each task lands when it does the most good.
Treat it as a guide and not a rulebook. A warm March or an early snow will move things around, and you know your house better than a table of averages does.
These are the snow months. Des Moines averages 27.5 of its 36.5 inches of annual snow between December and February. January is the coldest month, averaging 22.3 degrees with an average low of 13.8. With doors shut and furnaces running, dust stays inside and salt piles up at entries.
As the snow fades, it is time to look at what it left behind. Wash baseboards near doors and check the sides of stairs that lead to a basement. Wipe window tracks, which collect grit through winter and any insects that overwintered inside the house. Iowa State University Extension notes that brown marmorated stink bugs overwinter in homes, so you may find a few in spring as they become active again.
Des Moines offers free monthly SCRUB drop-off events starting in March, which makes this a good moment to get rid of whatever accumulated over the winter.
Each of these months averages over five inches of rain, more than any other month of the year. Muddy shoes and wet pets replace the salt. Basements and baths need attention too. House centipedes favor damp basements, closets and bathrooms, and Iowa State University Extension advises drying and cleaning those areas as the first step.
Clover mites can also wander in during early summer. Vacuum them from sills rather than wiping, because crushing them leaves a durable brown stain.
July highs average 85.6 degrees, and about 22 days a year reach 90 or above. Air conditioning runs and the windows stay closed, which makes this a good time to vacuum return vents, wipe cold air registers and clean shower glass, where the mineral film from moderately hard water is easier to see in summer light.
Late summer turns the focus to pollen. Iowa State University Extension identifies ragweed as the primary hay fever culprit in the late season. Goldenrod blooms at the same time and gets blamed unfairly. If someone in your home reacts, step up dusting and vacuuming and leave shoes at the door.
Fall is when Iowa homes see the most uninvited guests. Boxelder bugs gather on sunny south walls, and Asian lady beetles collect on buildings and wander inside. Keep a vacuum handy, and do not crush beetles on light surfaces, since they leave a smear and odor. Check sills and blinds on the sunny side of the house every week or two.
Before the first snow, set up your entry for the coming season by bringing out the boot tray and putting the washable mat in place. The last SCRUB drop-off events take place in November, and a late fall One-Time Deep Clean or Initial Deep Clean can reset a home before winter closes it up. The deep cleaning guide covers what that includes.
The questions Des Moines homeowners ask most often about this topic, answered plainly.
TotalCare Cleaning will service Des Moines 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.
