Spring comes every year, yet each time, many of us are caught by surprise at how much dirt and grime has built up over the winter and just how much spring cleaning we have to do. If you’re wondering when to start spring cleaning, you might wait until the wind is calm and the weather is warm enough to open the windows. That being said, if you’ve got the time and the motivation this weekend, there’s no reason to put it off since you can do many chores with the windows closed.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled an ultimate spring cleaning checklist.
Tips on Spring Cleaning Bedrooms
- Review what’s in your closet and remove things that no longer fit or that you have not worn in a year and donate it to charity.
- Wash your bed linens including comforter/duvet/quilt, sheets, pillowcases, pillows, and mattress cover.
- Dust furniture, lights, fans, windowsills, baseboards, vent covers, and the corners of the room.
- Wash windows and the spaces between the screen and pane where debris can collect.
- Wash walls, doors, door frames, and doorknobs as needed.
- Clean underneath your bed, reviewing any items stored in bins.
- Vacuum and/or mop your floors.
Tips for Spring Cleaning Bathrooms
- Clean out your cabinets, drawers, vanity, and any other storage areas. Sort through the items and decide which to keep or toss. Check expiration dates on medicines and makeup items. Wash the insides of these storage areas before replacing the items designated “keep”.
- Dust any shelves, light fixtures, windowsills, baseboards, and vent covers.
- Sanitize all the surfaces of the room: counter, sinks, bathtub, shower, and walls.
- Clean the mirrors, windows, and any glass in the room till it sparkles.
- Clean the drains, using simple unclogging methods for any slow drains.
- Secure a sandwich bag full of vinegar to your faucets and shower head with a rubber band, letting it soak for an hour to remove hard mineral deposits.
- Thoroughly clean the toilet, both inside and out, taking care to clean under the seat and around the backside of the base.
- Locate any grout or caulk issues to be resealed.
- Mop the floor.
Spring Clean Tips for Living Spaces
- Dust shelves, light fixtures, windowsills, the corners of the room, baseboards, and electronics and other items.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture: couches, chairs, ottomans.
- Wipe down leather/faux leather furniture with the appropriate cleaner.
- Wash or dry clean blankets and throw pillows.
- Clean the television screen with an electronics cleaner.
- Sort through any media (DVDs, books, small electronics) and donate items that no longer meet your family’s needs.
- Sweep and mop wood and tile floors. Vacuum any rugs and carpeted areas.
Spring Clean the Kitchen
- Clean out your cabinets, shelves, pantry, and fridge, getting rid of any food items, staples, and spices that have expired.
- Wipe down the counters, windows, and windowsills.
- Clean your stove and oven, making sure to get between the grates of the burners and any crumbs that have gathered in the cracks between the stove and the counter.
- Scour and sanitize the sink.
- Place several cups of ice down the garbage disposer with the water running to clean it. You can also find products at the grocery or hardware store to give the disposer a fresh smell.
- Deep clean the dishwasher. Your local hardware store will have dishwasher cleaning tablets for this use. Just pop one in the soap dispenser and run a cycle with the dishwasher empty.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils.
- Mop the floor, moving your fridge, rolling carts, and anything else that doesn’t typically get mopped underneath/behind.
Tips on Spring Cleaning Other Rooms
Other rooms like your office, media room, laundry room, etc., are going to have diverse needs. In addition to the usual, some basic tips for spring cleaning these areas include:
- Take down and store any winter decorations or other seasonal items (space heaters, etc.).
- Change batteries in remotes, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and other electronics.
- Check the expiration date on your first aid supplies and fire extinguisher.
- Clean and disinfect your computer mouse and keyboard. Compressed air can help get the crumbs, dust, and debris from underneath stubborn keys.
- Use some WD-40 for squeaky office chairs or noisy pocket doors.
How to Spring Clean Garage & Outdoor Living Areas
- Clean dirt and dust off your doors/garage doors and check for cracked or chipped paint.
- Declutter large items, like tools, toys, and sports equipment.
- Replace the batteries in your garage door opener.
- Sweep the patio and wash it. Reapply stain to wooden structures or decks.
- Examine your roof from the ground and schedule your annual roof inspection.
Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Sometimes the only thing keeping us from starting our seasonal cleanse is the mental hurdle of getting started. For that, here are some basic springtime cleaning tips:
- Wondering where to start? Begin in the rooms of your home that see the most use, or those that bother you the most when they’re dirty.
- Clean from the top down. Don’t mop floors first and then get them dirty again when you clean the ceiling fan.
- Don’t take forever in your decision-making process over what to keep and what to toss. Allow yourself two minutes for any one decision.
- Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t do your spring cleaning alone! Turn on some music and make it a family bonding experience. Your children may not like it now, but they’ll appreciate the skills and discipline you’ve taught them later.
If you’re less interested in how to spring clean your home and more interested in looking for a new one, check out the new homes at Union Park by Hillwood! To learn about our available homes, contact us today!
