Most people put off spring cleaning because they don’t know where to start, and it seems to be an overwhelming chore. It is actually easy to spring clean your home when you take this big project and break it down into small manageable steps. This spring cleaning checklist will guide you room to room by first decluttering and then cleaning each area.
Spring Cleaning doesn’t need to happen all in one day. Give yourself a reasonable schedule to tackle a few small quick jobs daily, and be sure you include your family. They should get to share in the fun and feeling of accomplishment. Before you know it, your whole house will be sparkling, and you will have a smile on your face.
Why Spring Clean?
Back in the day, homes were kept warm by a wood fire, and everything was closed up for the winter. It was necessary to do a deep spring clean to air out the house and clean up the mess left by the smoke and fire ashes from the fireplace. Today, there are other reasons to do this task:
- Edit Your Belongings I prefer to use the word edit rather than decluttering as it has a nicer ring to it! Editing and organizing will save you time in the long run as everything will be in its place, and you may find missing items. Less stuff means less stress. Get excited about what you will keep, as these items will be your most useful and favorites!
- Gives You a Good Mood- Studies show that a clean home makes people happier and who doesn’t want that! Cleaning can also give a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment to put you in a good mood.
- Removes Allergens -Seasonal allergens are not only the pollen from newly blossoming trees and flowers. The dust and pet dander that build up in our homes are also powerful asthma triggers.
- Get Some Exercise-Spring Cleaning will give you natural exercise. Bonus! You can burn calories while getting the job done!
- Be More Productive at Work- Add cleaning your desk and office space to your list. The less cluttered your workspace is, the more productive you will be. Save time at the end of each day to clear your desk and wipe it down to get a fresh start daily.
How to Spring Clean
Begin by gathering your supplies to clean. Use your favorites or make your own following the recipes I have listed below. Keep your cleaning products to a minimum as many products can be used for multiple uses.
Organize and edit your belongings in each area of your home. Dry clean, wash and put away your seasonal clothes and decorations. Donate or give away any items that are no longer useful to you.
Start from the top of each room and work your way down to the floor. Use your dishwasher and washer to your advantage. Clean everything you can in the dishwasher, including stovetop parts, toothbrush holders, knick-knacks, ceiling light covers, floor vents, etc. Toss your curtains, quilts, and throw pillows in the dryer for 10-15 minutes with a dryer sheet, leaving them free of dust and dust mites and smelling fresh.
Focus your energy by setting the timer for 15-30 minutes and attack one area. Ready, Set, Go!
What You Will Need
Cleaning Supplies
- White cleaning cloths that you can bleach
- Microfiber cloths for dusting
- Gloves to protect your skin and clean icky stuff
- Green pad-tough jobs. White pad-least abrasive
- Mr. Clean Sponge– the miracle cleaning tool
- Squeegee– For glass showers, large mirrors, windows- life saver!
- Toilet brush-for the obvious
- Soap Dispensing Brush– for cleaning the shower-see below
- Spray Bottles– for homemade cleaning solutions
- vacuum, mop, broom/dustpan
- Broom and dustpan
- Shmop-I prefer a shmop to a mop because you can change out the covers and bleach them between cleanings
Cleansers
You can use your own cleansers or make your own using basic household products. You will need vinegar, dishwashing liquid (Dawn), baking soda, bleach, and Castile soap for the recipes below. In addition to the recipes provided below, you can also check out these other natural DIY cleansers.
- All-Purpose Cleaner– Mix 2 cups water with 2 Tbsp dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. I like the grease-cutting properties of Dawn dish soap.
- Shower Cleaner– I mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part Dawn dish soap in a soap dispensing brush with a green pad sponge. Vinegar is acidic and works wonders on soap-scum. The dish soap cleans the surface really well.
- Glass, Window, Mirror Cleaner and Finished Wood Floors– 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle.
- Oven Cleaner, Kitchen Stains, Sticky Surfaces– Mix 3 parts warm water and 1 part baking soda. Baking soda is non-abrasive and doesn’t scratch surfaces. Rub with a white pad for surfaces that are prone to scratching or a green pad for surfaces you can get tough with.
- Castile Soap– Can be used to clean everything from cabinets to floors!
- Bleach– To disinfect. Mix with water to disinfect door handles, light switches, and other surfaces. Add bleach to your laundry load of cleaning rags.
Spring Cleaning Checklist Room By Room
Here is your spring cleaning checklist room by room.
Kitchen
- Clean the tops of high surfaces including cabinets, refrigerator, microwave or range hood
- Clean out cabinets, pantry, refrigerator, and freezer and toss expired food.
- Defrost Freezer and wipe all surfaces
- Clean Refrigerator and wipe all surfaces
- Clean the seal on the refrigerator and freezer
- Pull out refrigerator and clean behind
- Vacuum refrigerator coils
- Clean stovetop
- Clean oven-put knobs in dishwasher
- Clean microwave-put vents in dishwasher
- Clean dishwasher
- Clean out the pantry and wipe down shelves
- Remove items from cabinets, wipe down, and organize when putting back in
- Degrease cabinets and backsplash
- Clear countertops and clean
- Clean sink and deodorize by running a lemon wedge in the disposal
- wash dishrags-bleach if you use white ones
- Wipe walls and baseboards
- Mop floors
- Wash or clean all floor mats
Office
- Go through files and shred unnecessary paperwork
- Clean out desk drawers and wipe down
- Dust and polish furniture
- Dust electronics. Use compressed air on keyboard
- Sanitize keyboard and Mouse
Laundry Room
- Organize laundry supplies
- Clean washer and dryer
- Move and clean behind appliances
- Clean lint trap and dryer vent
- Wipe walls and baseboards
- Mop Floors
Bedrooms
- Organize clothes and clean closet and drawers
- Pack away seasonal and donate unwanted items
- Clean ceiling fan
- Dust blinds and curtain rods
- Wash windows
- Clean window sills
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Wash or dry clean all bedding including pillows, blankets, comforters, sheets, and mattress protector
- Rotate mattress. Sprinkle with baking soda and vacuum
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wipe walls and baseboards
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
Throughout the House
- Clean light fixtures and replace light bulbs
- Replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Replace air filters
- Check expiration date on fire extinguishers
- Clean air vents/ registers
- Replace air filters
- Sanitize door handles and light switches
- Update First Aid Kit
- Wash and clean window treatments
- Wash windows
- Dust or Vacuum lampshades
- Wash Baseboards, for tops, window sills, doors, and walls
- Check that all electronics are untangled and plugged into surge protecter
Entryway
- Organize and clean hall closet
- Pack away seasonal items
- Clean door
- Wash or Clean door mat
- Wipe walls and baseboard
- Mop Floor
Living Room
- Put away seasonal items
- Wash pillows and blankets
- Dust blinds
- Dust curtain rods
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Wash windows
- Wash window sills
- Clean ceiling fans
- Dust furniture and polish with lemon oil
- Dust electronics and sanitize remotes
- Dust or vacuum lamp shades
- Dust or wash decor
- Vacuum sofa and chairs-remove cushions
- Move furniture and vacuum behind
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
Dining Room
- Clean light fixtures
- Dust blinds
- Dust curtain rods
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Wash windows
- Clean window sills
- Organize and clean the china cabinet
- Polish silver
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wipe walls and baseboards
- Move furniture and vacuum behind
- Vacuum floor
- shampoo rugs or carpet
Bathrooms
- Clean under sink
- Clean medicine cabinet and discard expired medication
- Clean makeup brushes
- Clean light fixtures
- Wipe down mirror
- Clean vanity
- Dust and clean decorative items
- Wash toothbrush holder in dishwasher
- Scrub tile grout
- Clean tub and shower
- Clean showerhead
- Wash shower curtain and liner
- Clean toilet
- Clean all hardware
- Wipe walls and baseboards
- Sweep and Mop Floors
Garage
- Declutter tools and clean shelves
- Clean walls
- Remove everything from garage to and wash floor
- Organize and edit items going back in
- Replace batteries in garage door openers
- Wash windows
- Clean garage door and door frame
- Sweep front porch and back deck
- Wash and vacuum the car- it needs a spring clean too!
You Did It!
There is nothing that looks, smells, or shines like your home after a good spring cleaning! It feels so good to refresh your home and your spirit at the same time. Well Done! Now go do something for yourself and treat yourself!
At Life With Laurel, we empower women to navigate middle life with serendipity. I’ve found that so many women struggle with knowing what to do during this transition, and I want to put their minds at ease. That is why my mission is to help women everywhere have a roadmap for midlife and find serendipity along the way. What my readers love most is the realization that with knowledge and a plan, they have power and can begin to celebrate this special moment in their lives. I invite you to read more at lifewithlaurel.com and share it with others who may enjoy this post.
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