Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

Here are some tips for Spring cleaning your house. Use this as a checklist and so you can have a plan. Get your family involved in the action. Everyone will be proud of their accomplishment when they finish.

When you start, have a laundry basket that you put items to give away and trash bags for items to throw away.

BATHROOM

• Throw out expired beauty products, cosmetics and medications. Do not flush down the toilet.
• Organize toiletries, makeup, and medication.
• Wipe down walls, woodwork, and ceiling.
• Clean windows and window treatments.
• Do a general bathroom cleaning of toilet, mirror, sink, floor, shower, and tub.
• Clean and reseal grout.
• Wipe down towel and shower rods.
• Replace and/or clean shower curtains.
• Clean and organize linen closet.

Bedroom

• Launder or dry clean winter bedding and store it.
• Clean windows and window treatments.
• Vacuum and wipe down walls, ceiling, and woodwork.
• Clean carpets, area rugs, and upholstery.
• Clean shelves by dusting, reorganizing, and eliminating items.
• Reorganize your closets. Store winter clothes and bring out warm weather clothes. Go through the clothes for items to give away.
• Toss or give away unwanted items: books, toys, games, electronics, etc.
• Dust artwork and other accessories.

Home Office

• Clean out files and desk drawers. Shred papers you do not have to keep. Review and update insurance policies, contracts, and household inventories.
• Organize office supplies and desk drawers. Purchase containers to make it more efficient.
• Dispose of or give away unwanted software, hardware, or electronics
• Take everything off shelves and dust. Reorganize items from shelves.
• Clean windows and window treatments.
• Vacuum and wipe walls and ceiling.
• Wipe down baseboards.
• Clean carpet and area rugs.
• Dust artwork and other accessories.

Kitchen

• Clean refrigerator and freezer.

As you clean the refrigerator and freezer, do one half at a time. Take all of the items from the top half and put them on the bottom. Using warm soapy water, wipe down the sides and shelves. If necessary, take out the shelves and wash in the sink. Dry everything thoroughly. If there is any mildew, use a mildew remover to clean that area. Wipe off mildew and then wipe down with warm water. Once you are finished cleaning the top portion, move all of the items to the upper portion and repeat the process. Discard any items that are expired or have been in the freezer too long.

• Clean oven and microwave.
• Clean windows and window treatments.
• Wipe down tops of cabinets and refrigerator.
• Dust tops of cookbooks and shelves. Reorganize and discard or give away books you never use.
• Reorganize and clean pantry, cabinets, drawers, and spice racks. Discard old items.
• Clean clutter off counters.
• Clean cabinet doors and hardware.
• Wash and wipe down walls and baseboards.
• Clean and reseal grout.
• Wipe down artwork or other items on the wall

Living Room / Family Room

• Wipe down walls, ceiling, and baseboards.
• Vacuum behind and under furniture.
• Clean windows and window treatments.
• Clean carpet and area rugs.
• Dust tops of cabinets.
• Dust and organize inside of cabinets.
• Dust accessories.
• Wipe down artwork and other items on walls.
• Clean out the fireplace for the season. Store unused logs.
• Clean and organize coat closet.

Utility Room

• Clean washing machine according to manufacturer’s directions.
• Clean dryer according to manufacturer’s directions.
• Dust tops of cabinets.
• Clean out cabinets. Throw away expired or almost empty products.
• Wipe down and reorganize shelves.
• Clean windows and window treatments.
• Rid countertops of clutter.
• Clean walls, ceiling, and baseboards.
• Clean and organize closet.