Spring cleaning is a great way to freshen up your home after it’s been closed up during the winter months. Dirt and debris can build up and make the house smell stale, and items you no longer use tend to accumulate and take up space. Spring cleaning gives you a chance to give the house a thorough cleaning before you get busy with the plethora of summer activities. Before you begin, make sure you have all of the necessary tools and cleaning supplies. Check your broom, sponge mop and other cleaning items to make sure they’re in good condition. Placing all of your cleaning supplies in a caddy will make them easier to carry from room to room and provide convenient access. You’ll find a spring cleaning checklist below to guide you through each room in your house.
Foyer
The foyer is prone to accumulating dirt and dust, whereas there is a lot of traffic from outside. Dust the light fixtures and furnishings. Wash the doors, walls and molding, and disinfect door knobs and switch plates. Clean mirrors and windows with window cleaner. Empty the coat closet, and sort through the contents. Donate any items you no longer want or use. Sweep the floors, wash the walls and return the contents to the closet. Sweep and mop the foyer floor, and seal grout lines if needed.
Living Room/Den
Open the windows to allow fresh air into the room. Declutter the living room by removing anything that doesn’t belong there or is no longer used. Dust the furnishings, lamps, photos, art work, electronics and ceiling fans. Clean the blinds, and launder the curtains or drapes. Polish wood furniture and accessories, and clean glass photo frames, windows and mirrors with window cleaner. Wash the walls, molding and window sills, and disinfect switch plates, the remote control and gaming devices. Vacuum lamp shades, furniture and carpet. Make sure to vacuum between the cushions and underneath the furniture. Shampoo the carpet.
Kitchen
Open the windows to air out the room. Clean the blinds and launder window treatments. Use window cleaner to clean the windows. Remove contents of cabinets and drawers and clean inside. Disinfect doors and knobs and return the contents in an organized manner. Clean and organize the panty, removing any foods that have expired. Remove elements and drip pans from the stove top, wash and replace. Clean the stove top and the oven. Clean the microwave inside and out, and wipe crumbs from the toaster.
Use vinegar to clean the inside of the dishwasher, and vacuum water and food crumbs from the bottom with a wet vac. Clean the sink and faucets, and wipe down countertops and countertop appliances. Check the expiration dates on food in the freezer and refrigerator, and discard any that is out of date. Defrost the freezer, and clean the inside of the refrigerator. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall, and vacuum behind and beneath it. Unplug the refrigerator, and vacuum the coils and fan. Dust light fixtures, and wash the walls, doors, molding and vent covers. Disinfect switch plates and door knobs. Sweep and mop the floors.
Dining Room
Open the windows, and clean the blinds. Launder window treatments and table linens, and clean windows using window cleaner. Dust light fixtures, furnishings and art work. Wipe down the legs of the table and chairs. Polish wood furnishings and silver. Wash walls, doors, molding, window sills and vent covers. Disinfect switch plates and door knobs. Sweep and mop the floors.
Office
Open the window, clean blinds and launder window treatments. Clean the windows with window cleaner. Sort through files and paperwork, and shred any documents you no longer need. Clean and organize file cabinets and desk drawers. Dust furnishings and polish if needed. Use an air duster to clean in between the keys on your keyboard and electronics cleaner to wipe down the computer and mouse. Wash the walls, door, window sills and molding, and disinfect switch plates and the door knob. Sweep and mop (or vacuum and shampoo) the floors.
Bedrooms
Open the windows, and clean the blinds. Launder the window treatments, sheets, pillow cases, comforter and any soiled clothes. Flip the mattress, and clean beneath the bed. Empty drawers and closets, sort the contents and donate any items you no longer use. Wipe down the inside of the drawers and closet shelves, and replace the contents in an organized manner. Dust light fixtures, wall hangings and furnishings; polish if needed. Clean windows and mirrors with window cleaner. Wash window sills, walls, molding and doors. Disinfect switch plates and door knobs. Vacuum lamp shades and carpet, and shampoo the carpet.
Bathrooms
Open the windows, clean the blinds and launder window treatments. Clean windows and mirrors using window cleaner. Empty the contents of the cabinets and vanity. Discard any old cosmetics and dispose of expired medications. Wipe down the drawers and vanity inside and out. Clean the sink, bath tub, faucets and toilet with disinfectant. Dust the light fixtures, and wash the countertops, window sills, walls, door and molding. Disinfect switch plates and door knobs. Sweep and mop the floors.
Laundry/Utility Room
Dust the light fixture, and wipe down shelves. Clean the inside and outside of the washer and dryer. Wash the lint trap, and allow to dry before replacing it. Wash the laundry sink and faucets, walls, doors and molding. Disinfect switch plates and door knobs. Sweep and mop the floors.
