Care Home Winter Cleaning: A Complete Safety Checklist for the Colder Months

Winter brings a specific set of safety and hygiene challenges to residential care settings. Cold weather increases the risk of slips and trips, viral illness spreads more quickly indoors, and cleaning teams face heavier daily workloads. Because of this, care home winter cleaning needs to be planned, proactive, and structured around seasonal risks.

This detailed guide provides care teams with a practical, easy-to-follow winter cleaning checklist focused on resident safety, infection control, and efficient housekeeping during the coldest months.

Why Care Home Winter Cleaning Matters

Winter conditions place extra pressure on every part of a care home. Some of the biggest seasonal concerns include:

• Wet and muddy entrance areas that increase slip risks

• Higher rates of staff illness

• Residents spending more time indoors

• Poor ventilation due to cold temperatures

• Increased use of heating systems

• Outdoor areas becoming icy or uneven

• A surge in respiratory viruses

This means winter isn’t just another season — it’s a period where the cleaning team plays a major role in keeping residents safe and comfortable. A strong care home winter cleaning routine helps control hazards and prevents avoidable incidents.

1. Strengthen Entrance & Floor Safety

Wet floors are one of the biggest risks in winter. Rain, frost, and muddy pathways lead to moisture being carried indoors. Because of this, entrance safety becomes a top priority.

Practical Steps

• Use heavy-duty mats outside and inside main doors.

• Increase mopping frequency during rainy or icy periods.

• Keep wet floor signs visible and readily available.

• Install umbrella stands to limit water tracking.

• Clean mats daily to remove winter debris like leaves and grit.

Why it matters

Residents often have reduced mobility, so a small puddle can lead to a major injury. Proper floor management is one of the most important parts of care home winter cleaning.

Find winter-ready cleaning supplies at Able’s Cleaning & Hygiene range: Click here.

2. Keep Outdoor Pathways Safe and Accessible

Outdoor safety is essential in winter. Care home car parks, walkways, and entrances often freeze overnight, making them dangerous for residents, staff, and visitors alike.

Weekly and Daily Checks

• Inspect pathways first thing each morning.

• Remove wet leaves before they compact into slippery surfaces.

• Apply salt or grit ahead of frost, not after.

• Ensure outdoor lighting is bright enough during darker evenings.

• Keep ramps, steps, and handrails clear of snow and ice.

A salt spreader makes these tasks quicker and more manageable, especially in larger homes with multiple access points.

What about your entry ways? Are they properly salted to prevent slips? Click here to see our best selling salt spreader.

3. Strengthen Infection Control During Winter Illness Season

Winter is peak season for viruses such as flu, RSV, norovirus, and other respiratory infections. Because residents often stay indoors for longer periods, infection control becomes a central part of care home winter cleaning.

Key Cleaning Actions

• Clean high-touch surfaces frequently (handrails, lift buttons, door handles).

• Increase disinfection in communal lounges and dining areas.

• Clean shared textiles more often, including cushions, throws, and activity materials.

• Encourage more frequent handwashing among staff and visitors.

• Use disposable cloths for high-risk tasks to avoid cross-contamination.

PPE is essential during winter deep cleaning tasks, especially when staff handle body fluids or harsh chemicals. Click here to see our Curo brand Nitrile Gloves. 

4. Manage Ventilation Without Losing Too Much Heat

Care homes often rely heavily on heating in winter, which leads to closed windows and reduced airflow. Still, maintaining ventilation is important for infection prevention and air quality.

Helpful Practices

• Open windows briefly during cleaning periods for fresh air circulation.

• Clean extractor fans and vents at the start of winter.

• Check that warm air can circulate freely around rooms.

• Avoid blocking heaters or radiators with furniture or bed linen.

• Dust heating units regularly to prevent burnt-on particles.

Balanced ventilation supports a healthier indoor environment during long periods of cold weather.

5. Prepare the Laundry Room for Increased Winter Demand

Winter months generate more laundry than usual. Residents may require heavier bedding, thicker clothing, or additional blankets. Staff uniforms may also need more frequent washing due to higher infection control requirements.

Winter Laundry Checklist

• Stock up on key chemicals before severe weather.

• Clean lint traps more frequently — winter fabrics shed more fibres.

• Rotate bedding and blankets on a scheduled cleaning plan.

• Keep drying areas warm, ventilated, and clutter-free.

• Review machine maintenance to prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Efficient laundry operations support both hygiene and resident comfort throughout the season.

6. Schedule Winter Deep Cleaning Tasks

While daily cleaning focuses on immediate hazards, winter is also the ideal time to plan deeper housekeeping tasks. Since residents spend more time indoors, cleanliness strongly affects comfort and wellbeing.

Deep Clean Priority Areas

• Carpets and upholstery

• Curtains, blinds, and soft furnishings

• Kitchens and food prep zones

• Bathrooms and shower rooms

• Activity rooms and communal lounges

• Radiators and heating vents

• Store cupboards and utility rooms

Regular deep cleaning improves hygiene and creates a warmer, more pleasant atmosphere for residents.

7. Reorganise Cleaning Cupboards and Chemical Storage

Care home winter cleaning is far easier when storage areas are tidy, safe, and well-organised. Seasonal stock tends to accumulate quickly, so storage reviews are essential.

Tips for Safer Winter Storage

• Ensure all chemicals are labelled and stored securely according to COSHH.

• Dispose of expired products safely.

• Keep PPE easily accessible.

• Store winter products such as grit or de-icers separately from cleaning chemicals.

• Use shelving to avoid clutter on the floor.

• Keep mops, buckets, and cloths colour-coded and spaced out for drying.

Good organisation supports faster response times and safer working practices.

8. Plan for Staff Absences and Increased Winter Workload

Winter usually brings higher levels of staff sickness. For this reason, cleaning schedules should be adaptable and easy for temporary or agency workers to follow.

Useful Approaches

• Create simplified seasonal rotas that highlight essential daily tasks.

• Make clear checklists available in communal cleaning areas.

• Keep stocks of gloves, disposable cloths, disinfectants, and mop heads topped up.

• Encourage communication between housekeeping, laundry, catering, and care teams.

• Prioritise tasks based on risk — for example, floors, bathrooms, and hand-touch points always remain top priority.

Clear planning keeps cleaning consistent even during staffing changes.

9. Care Home Winter Cleaning: A Quick Reference Checklist

Daily

• Dry floors at all entrances

• Mop spills quickly

• Clean handrails, handles, and switches

• Check outdoor paths for frost

• Ventilate rooms briefly

Weekly

• Deep clean bathrooms

• Launder blankets and soft furnishings

• Inspect PPE stock

• Review outdoor lighting and pathways

Monthly

• Complete a winter deep clean

• Audit cleaning and chemical storage areas

• Review rotas and adjust for staff availability

• Dust and clean heating units

Final Thoughts

A strong care home winter cleaning strategy keeps residents safe, reduces illness, and prevents avoidable accidents throughout the coldest months. With the right supplies, routines, and preparation, cleaning teams can stay ahead of seasonal risks and maintain high standards of hygiene and comfort.

Care Home Winter Cleaning – FAQs