You’ll have a fresh, clean home in less than a week! Ah, springtime! Nothing beats the first day of spring when it’s finally warm enough to open all the windows after a long, cold winter; farewell to heavy fur-lined coats, hello flowers, and sunshine! It’s also an excellent opportunity to take advantage of that fresh feeling and give your entire house a much-needed spring cleaning.
What Exactly is Spring Cleaning?
Everyone appears to think so. But what exactly are you expected to clean during “spring cleaning”? And why is it so crucial, especially when you could be out enjoying the beautiful weather instead?
While most of us have devised a working cleaning schedule, only some have the time, energy, or inclination to undertake a thorough cleaning regularly.
But those thorough cleanings are critical. Dust, mildew, mold, and other allergens accumulate over time; the salad dressing that piqued your interest at the grocery store eventually goes wrong; and your meticulously implemented organization system, the one you swore would finally change everything forever, gradually crumbles.
Spring cleaning is an abbreviation for the seasonal or annual cleaning and maintenance duties around the house that most people conduct in the spring after the winter has taken its toll.
The Advantages of Spring Cleaning
A thorough cleaning at least once a year keeps you healthy and makes your house feel like home. And far be it from us to stand in the way of a more frequent deep cleaning routine.
Your step-by-step guide to the best and simplest spring cleaning
Okay, so that’s a good idea. But how exactly do you go about doing a “spring clean”? And where do you begin?
We adopt a simple five-rooms-in-five-days strategy around here, and to make things even easier, there is a Spring Cleaning Checklist for each type of room:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen Bedrooms
- Living Areas
- Areas for Children
You may complete all five rooms in less than a week if you work for five straight days, or you can spread it out more if that works better for you. Regardless, before you know it, you’ll be relaxing in your cleanest home ever, with spring sunlight shining through your spotless windows. Let’s get started.
Checklist for each room
Checklist for Spring Cleaning in the Bathroom
Doorknobs and light switches should be disinfected. This is significant. Consider how frequently you, your family, and guests contact these surfaces. Consider the last time you cleaned them. We thought so, too. Check the labels on the sprays and wipes to ensure that they are EPA-approved disinfectants and that you understand how to use them to maximize their effectiveness.
Sort through your cabinets and drawers. Take the time to review your makeup and medications and discard anything that has expired or that you no longer need or want. Give everything you decide to keep a specific place so it doesn’t end up on the counter the following week. Remember, this is your chance to start over!
Scrub your shower, bathtub, and sink thoroughly, paying special attention to mold or mildew growth. If used as prescribed, Microban 24 Bathroom Cleaner eliminates soap scum while preventing mold and mildew growth for seven days. Believe us when we say a clean tub is incomparably beautiful.
Clean the shower curtain and bathmat. Make sure to read the care directions to avoid spoiling them.
Give the toilet a thorough cleaning. This isn’t anyone’s favorite task, but it has to be done. Remember to clean around the hinges and towards the floor, where dirt and grime accumulate.
Checklist for Spring Cleaning in the Kitchen
A light-filled kitchen that is bright and clean.
Clear out your oven. Because most ovens feature a cleaning cycle, this process is generally automated. Assuming you have a self-cleaning oven, this will take a while, possibly several hours, so get it started first. Then concentrate on the rest of the kitchen. Keep an eye on the oven while it’s heating up in case anything goes wrong.
Soap and water should be used to clean the stovetop. If it’s still in bad shape, whip out the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to easily remove caked-on food.
Make sure your microwave is clean. If it isn’t completely gone after a quick soapy water wipedown.
Descale and clean your coffee maker. Your taste receptors will appreciate the extra effort.
Clear out your refrigerator and freezer. Throw out the freezer-burned frozen fruit you bought a year ago when you became a smoothie fan. After removing your expired food, clean your shelves with soapy water. If it doesn’t work, whip out the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser again.
Clean the cabinets and walls. If you cook with oil or even if you don’t, you may have small grease spatters all over your kitchen cupboards and walls. However, dealing with them is simple. Scrub away using a soapy cloth or sponge (mixing a couple of drops of Dawn into a bucket of warm water works wonders).
Sweep and mop behind your stove and refrigerator, moving them away from the wall. Try not to be too shocked by what you discover.
Sort through and organize your pantry. Remove any expired products. Then replace everything else. Try to devise an organizational structure even if it is rudimentary. It’ll make life so much easier when trying to assemble a pantry pasta recipe.
Remove the toast tray from the toaster.
Cabinet handles, light switches, sinks, and countertops should all be disinfected. Try to work this step into your usual cleaning routine. It is, after all, the kitchen.
Clean out your sink. You must complete this step because your sink can harbor various bacteria.
Checklist for Spring Cleaning in the Bedroom
Sort, wash, and organize your clothing. Consider this an opportunity to go through your entire wardrobe. What about clothes that don’t fit? They should be bagged up and donated. Those tube socks with the heel holes—it’s time to dump them. Give away any items that are no longer useful to you. Do you already feel lighter?
Clean your pillows and bedding. You can and should wash your pillows. Follow the care and cleaning instructions.
Turn your mattress. It will help your back and lengthen the life of your mattress.
Any rugs or carpets should be shampooed. It’s a significant undertaking but well worth it—especially if you have pets or are accustomed to wearing shoes indoors. Dust, pollen, and other allergens adore your carpets and rugs. Prepare to breathe easier.
Spring Cleaning Checklist for Living Spaces
A modern living environment that has been freshly cleaned.
Move furniture so that you can vacuum and clean underneath it. Bribe a roommate or a friend to assist you. Your back will thank you afterward.
Vacuum the sofas, chairs, and drapes. This one is for all you pet owners out there. If there’s still fur everywhere after vacuuming, try these suggestions for eliminating dog hair and tried-and-true methods for removing cat hair.
Dust all the spots you usually ignore in your frequent cleanings, such as shelves, ceiling fans, lampshades, etc. Swiffer dusters help with this by having specially coated fibers that grip dust and don’t let go, so you’re not just dispersing it around the room.
The cushion and throw pillow covers should be washed. Just make sure to read the care directions carefully. If you can’t wash them, use Febreze Fabric, which removes odors entrenched in fabrics and other soft surfaces while leaving a mild, fresh scent.
Disinfect remote controls, other high-touch items, doorknobs, and light switches.
Rugs and carpets should be shampooed. You just did it in your bedroom, so you know how effective it is!
Children’s area checklist for spring cleaning
Congratulations if you don’t have any children! You finished early. People with children, you’re getting there!
Vacuum behind furniture and move it. You’ve done this before, so you’re an expert.
To remove crayon marks that have developed over the last year, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
Plastic toys should be sterilized. This should be done more than once a year.
Soft toys that cannot be sprayed should be washed.
Donate any toys that your children have outgrown. You will have less clutter, and another child can enjoy a new item. It’s a win-win situation.
Organize toys and play places, and enjoy brief moments of calm and order before your children return to play.
Whew! You completed the task. No, you don’t have to finish it all in five days. Still, if you do, you’ll not only experience the unique satisfaction of a clean home, but you’ll also be able to take the weekend off.
Remember that just because it’s called spring cleaning, it doesn’t imply it needs to be done only in the spring. Feel free to rinse and repeat as many times as you like. Your house will appreciate it.