Back in February, we wrote a post about preparing for spring cleaning. We focused mostly on preparing a schedule and then starting the de-cluttering process. If you followed those steps back in the dog days of winter, then you are a ready to move on to the actual “cleaning”. If you decided to watch Netflix instead (no judgement here!), then here is your reminder it is time to start the process. It’s been a LONG year of being stuck inside, so it is time to refresh our homes (and our minds).
Once you’ve mentally prepared yourself to tackle your spring cleaning project, remember these key points:
- DIVIDE & CONQUER: Do NOT try to do all of the cleaning in a single day. Instead, set aside time each day, whether its 15 minutes to an hour to work your way through your home. Trying to do your home entirely one day may end up in only a part of your home being thoroughly clean. Instead, focus on what rooms need the most attention.
- ENLIST HELP: Whether its your spouse, roommate, or kids, delegate appropriate work to your housemates to help move the process along. You all live there, and living gets messy.
- WORK FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM: Below we have provided a task list to help you through your cleaning. Each room works from the top of the room towards the bottom. Always allow dust and debris to settle down. Going in the opposite direction may result in you re-doing parts of your spring cleaning (to which we say: “no, thank you.”)
Spring Cleaning Checklist
KITCHEN
- Light fixtures
- Blinds, screens, windows
- Walls, especially near stove and prep areas
- Cabinets
- Refrigerator
- Small appliances (i.e. toaster, toaster oven, coffee machines, microwaves, etc.)
- Countertops
- Clean oven
- Floors
- Trash can
- Baseboards
BATH
- Fan
- Light fixtures
- Blinds, screens, windows
- Mirror
- Shower/shower head
- Shower Curtain
- Bathtub
- Toilet
- Vanity
- Throw out old cosmetics/medicine
- Wash rugs
- Baseboards
BED
- Light fixtures
- Curtains
- Blinds, screens, windows
- Bedding
- Pillows
- Wash or air out blankets
- Mattress (NOTE: Use a combination of baking soda + lavender essential oil and then vacuum)
- Under bed, dresser, and bedside tables
- Baseboards
CLOSET
- Clear out old clothes/shoes/items to sell and/or donate
- Rotate clothes, moving winter clothes to the side and make spring/summer clothes more accessible
LIVING/FAMILY ROOM
- Light fixtures
- Curtains
- Blinds, screens, windows
- Couches and chairs
- Dust/clean off decorative items
- Entertainment unit
- Dust coffee/side tables
- Wash rug
- Baseboards
MISCELLANEOUS
- Shred unneeded documents
- Clean out junk drawer
- Replace HVAC/furnace filter
There are plenty of online resources to assist you in your spring cleaning project, whether it is what kind of products work best for tough spots, how-to clean particular areas, or even alternative task lists. Use those resources to make the most of your spring cleaning project. If you don’t want to clean your home and would rather sell it instead, give us a call! 😉