How to Prepare Your Building for Winter: A Commercial Cleaning & Maintenance Checklist for Westchester & Rockland Properties

Winter in Westchester and Rockland County brings freezing temperatures, salt, moisture, snow, and an increase in foot traffic inside lobby areas. For property managers, co-op/condo boards, building superintendents, and office facility directors, this is the season when small maintenance issues can become expensive headaches — and when cleaning quality matters more than ever.

This guide breaks down the essential winter preparation checklist to keep your building clean, safe, and fully operational throughout the coldest months.

1. Deep Clean All High-Traffic Areas Before Winter Starts

Winter magnifies every cleaning problem. Dirt, salt, moisture, and debris multiply — especially in:

• Lobbies

• Hallways

• Elevators

• Mailrooms

• Package rooms

• Amenity areas

• Parking garages

A pre-winter deep clean ensures the building starts the season in top condition and prevents buildup that becomes almost impossible to remove later.

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Recommended winter deep-cleaning tasks:

• Machine scrub lobby floors

• Deep clean carpets & entry mats

• Clean and polish stainless steel

• Degrease and sanitize high-touch points

• Interior window and glass cleaning

• Dust vents, baseboards, and ledges

  
  

2. Strengthen Your Floor Protection Strategy

Floors suffer the most during the winter months because of:

• Road salt

• Moisture

• Slush

• Mud

• Increased foot traffic

  
  

A proper winter floor care program includes:

• Extra-large commercial entrance mats

• Water-absorbing mats deeper inside

• Weekly (or daily) machine scrubbing depending on building traffic

• Protective sealant for hard floors

• Additional carpet extraction for carpeted buildings

  
  

Buildings that invest in floor protection see:✔ Fewer slip-and-fall incidents✔ Lower long-term floor replacement costs✔ Cleaner lobbies and hallways

3. Schedule Extra Porter Service for the Winter Season

Winter brings constant tracking of:

• Salt

• Snow

• Water

• Leaves

• Ice

Daily porter service ensures lobbies and hallways stay clean throughout the day — not just during overnight janitorial shifts.

Porters focus on:

• Continuous mopping & drying

• Keeping mats clean

• Managing package overflow

• Salt cleanup

• Trash & recycling

• Elevator spot-cleaning

• Restroom upkeep

This is one of the highest-ROI winter investments for multifamily buildings and office properties.

4. Protect Your Building’s Exterior & Entryways

Your entrance is the frontline of winter problems.

Pre-winter tasks:

• Power wash exterior entry areas

• Clean awnings

• Inspect and clean exterior drains

• Clear debris to prevent ice dams

• Check outdoor lighting

5. Winterize Restrooms & High-Use Areas

Winter means:

• More restroom traffic

• More germs

• More moisture

Ensure the building is prepared with:

• Extra paper supplies

• Additional sanitizer stations

• Deep restroom sanitization before winter

• More frequent daytime restroom checks

• Anti-slip treatment for restroom floors

A clean, well-maintained exterior reduces slip hazards and keeps dirt from entering the building.

6. Inspect and Clean HVAC Units Before Temperatures Drop

Indoor air quality can worsen in winter because windows remain closed for months.

Pre-winter HVAC checklist:

• Dust air vents

• Replace filters

• Clean around mechanical rooms

• Disinfect air returns

• Remove dust buildup in common areas

Cleaner air reduces illness, odors, and HVAC strain during peak heating season.

7. Prepare for Emergency Situations

Winter storms can shut down roads, delay contractors, and create staffing emergencies for buildings.

Strong buildings have a winter emergency plan, including:

• Backup porter or janitorial coverage

• Snow day cleaning plan

• Procedures for muddy/salty conditions

• 24/7 emergency cleaning contact

• High-priority area list (lobby, elevators, stairs, restrooms)

8. Review & Update Your Winter Cleaning Contract

Many buildings forget to update their winter needs until it’s too late.

Before winter begins, review whether your current cleaning plan includes:

• Extra porter hours

• Additional deep cleaning

• Carpet extraction

• Floor sealing

• Holiday traffic surge plans

• Salt & moisture mitigation

A small adjustment now prevents costly issues later.

Why Winter Prep Matters for Westchester & Rockland Buildings

Buildings that prepare early enjoy:

• Cleaner lobbies & hallways

• Lower maintenance costs

• Fewer tenant complaints

• Safer, slip-free environments

• Better first impressions

• Extended life of floors & carpets

• More predictable property budgets

And most importantly, you avoid the emergency cleanups that become expensive fast.

Need Winter Cleaning Support?

Westchester Cleaning Services, LLC provides:

• Full janitorial services

• Daily porter service

• Winter floor protection programs

• Deep cleaning before winter

• Emergency cleaning support

• Post-storm mop-outs

• Commercial disinfecting

• Multifamily, office, municipal, and medical facility cleaning

Serving Westchester County, Rockland County, and surrounding areas.

Don’t wait for winter problems — prevent them.

Book a winter-readiness consultation with Westchester Cleaning Services and protect your building from salt, slush, and high-traffic wear.

👉 Request your customized quote today.