"I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home...I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means that my loved ones are nearby"
~Nancie J. Carmody
As the days grow longer, the temperatures begin to rise (albeit slowly) and the flowers begin to bloom (which on one hand, I enjoy, but on the other, causes a separate problem...pollen=allergies), it's time to start Spring Cleaning!
Spring is thought of as a time for growth, for renewal and for a fresh start. The cold winter blahs are almost behind us and we naturally want to clear the clutter out of our life-physically, mentally and emotionally. Here, I'll be focusing on the physical. With that in mind, here are a few tips to hopefully get your Spring cleaning started off well and to help it go smoothly!
Spring Cleaning the Bedrooms
Start with a Quick Clean Up:
- Gather all of your dirty laundry and put it in a clothes hamper (do not sort the laundry at this point-simply throw it in the hamper for now)
- Replace all clean clothes in closets or in dressers
- Pick up all obvious trash and place it in the trash bag
- Put all items that belong somewhere else in large basket to go through later
- Clean the tops of dressers & side tables (if you're doing this step after you've thrown away all of the obvious trash and placed all items that don't belong there in the large basket, it should go fairly quickly)
After you finish this quick clean up of your bedroom, it's time to get to the true Spring cleaning!
- Dust & wipe clean all surfaces (walls, corners, furniture surfaces, ceiling fans, air vents, doorknobs, switch plates, lamps, knick-knacks, etc)
- Wash all bedding (includes comforter, sheets, mattress pad, pillows/pillow cases, etc), vacuum and flip mattress
- While the bedding is being cleaned, go ahead and clean out from underneath the bed. It's amazing what can accumulate there!
- Remove all window treatments & wash (be mindful of cleaning directions). While they are down, clean all blinds, shades & windows.
- Hopefully, you are spot-cleaning your carpets as stains occur, but deep clean once or twice a year.
Start with a Quick Clean Up:
- Gather all of your dirty laundry and put it in a clothes hamper (do not sort the laundry at this point-simply throw it in the hamper for now)
- Pick up all obvious trash and place it in the trash bag
- Wipe down the sink and tub with a disinfectant wipe
- Clean the mirror
- Briefly scrub the inside of the toilet bowl and line the underside with toilet bowl cleaner.
- Put all items that belong somewhere else in large basket to go through later
- Quickly sweep or mop
- Dust & wipe clean all surfaces (walls, ceilings, corners, window ledges, air vents, vanity, sinks, faucets, doorknobs, light switch plates, etc)
- If you have a window in your bathroom, clean the blinds, shades, window glass, etc.
- Scrub the shower & tub (Don't forget faucets. Clean your shower curtain or shower doors and replace the shower curtain liner. Use a strong cleaner to remove soap scum.)
- Since you lined the underside of the toilet bowl with toilet bowl cleaner during your quick clean up, now scrub it with a toilet brush. Then wipe clean all toilet surfaces, including lid, seat, handle, tank cover, etc.
- Clean out the medicine cabinet, linen closet & the vanity cabinets. Discard all expired medicines & make up, condense shampoo, conditioner & body wash into fewer bottles, organize toiletries & bathroom cleaners using plastic bins to make finding items easier.
- Vacuum bathroom rugs
- Sweep or mop again if needed
Spring Cleaning the Living Room
Start with a Quick Clean Up:
- Put all items that belong somewhere else in large basket to go through later
- Take off couch cushions and remove dirt, crumbs, trash, items, etc. Brush off and fluff cushions.
- Pick up all obvious trash and place it in the trash bag
- Wipe off coffee table and straighten coffee table books, magazines, etc
- Vacuum or sweep the floors
- Dust all surfaces, including ceilings, ceiling fans, baseboards, corners, furniture, lamps, knick-knacks, etc (you can use a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean lampshades easily)
- Clean out cushions from all furniture, vacuum furniture
- Remove books from bookshelves and wipe down the books before replacing (sort books at the same time & donate any unwanted or unused books to make room for the new!)
- Unplug all electronics and wipe down
- Remove all window treatments & wash (be mindful of cleaning directions). While they are down, clean all blinds, shades & windows.
- Dust & wipe clean all photographs, wall art & wall decorations.
- Deep clean carpets and rugs (Hopefully, you are spot-cleaning your carpets as stains occur, but deep clean once or twice a year.)
- Replace doormats (a new doormat is a easy & cheap way to update any porch or foyer!)
Start with a Quick Clean Up:
- Load all dirty dishes into the dishwasher or wash by hand.
- Pick up all obvious trash and place it in the trash bag
- Put away all items that belong in the kitchen but aren't in their proper places
- Wipe down all surfaces, including the counter tops, sinks, and appliances
- Quickly sweep, mom or vacuum
- Dust & wipe clean all surfaces, including ceilings, ceiling fans, baseboards, corners, walls, etc. Kitchen walls get dirty very easily, so take time to clean the grease, grime, and spilled food from your walls.
- Dust & wipe clean all photographs, wall art & wall decorations.
- Remove all window treatments & wash (be mindful of cleaning directions). While they are down, clean all blinds, shades & windows.
- Clean the outside of the refrigerator
- Line the inside of your oven with oven cleaner & wipe clean once oven cleaner has finished working
- Sort through your refrigerator and freezer:
- Throw away all expired food & condiments & food you purchased but have not used. Remove empty or dirty containers. Take everything out & place the items you are keeping on your counter. Remove all refrigerator shelves & wipe clean. Replace food & condiments once all shelves are clean.
- Wipe clean all appliances & the knobs, burners, burner covers, etc.
- Wash & wipe clean the sink
- Clean the dishwasher (use a commercial cleaner or try baking soda or vinegar)
- Clean out kitchen cabinets (discard any broken items & donate any unwanted or unused items)
- Clean out kitchen drawers (use drawer organizers to keep flatware, kitchen utensils, gadgets, etc organized. Sort through the "junk drawer" & throw away expired papers/bills, trash, etc)
- Sweep & mop again if needed.
Happy Cleaning!!
The inspiration for this post came from About.com-Thanks for the idea!
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