Get Ready for Spring!

Create a Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is fast approaching, and as you begin to think about putting your home on the market or want to spruce an already listed home, spring cleaning is a great place to start! As I sat and thought of my own home, all the areas I want to clean and often forget about, I thought a checklist would help keep me organized so I clean everything. Here is my checklist to share with you!

 

Start in the room people walk into, your living area:

1. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates.
2. Dust Ceiling Fan – try to use a towel folded over the fan blade so you aren’t flipping dust all over yourself.
3. Shampoo Rugs – Allow a day or two for drying.
4. Curtains and Blinds – Wash curtains and dust blinds.
5. Clean Couch – Depending on the material, you may be able to shampoo your couch as well.
6. Reorganize – Stand in different areas of the room and see what yur focus point is, find what you want that to be in your living area and begin to reorganize your furniture to have good flow.

Next move into the kitchen:

1. Clean Inside Of Oven – Follow the directions of the oven cleaner exactly. If you want a greener clean sprinkle a layer of baking soda along the bottom of our stove, (be generous like a ¼ in.) and spray it to dampen it with water. Now let it sit. Check back to make sure it is still damp, and if it begins to dry continue to dampen it. Go to bed and when you wake up wipe it clean with a  sponge and all that grime will come with!
2. Dust Refrigerator Coils – Remember to unplug refrigerator first! Vacuum and mop in the spot where the refrigerator sits as well.
3. Clean Out Refrigerator – This is your chance to go through all the bottles in the fridge, make sure all the expiration dates are current, scrub the shelves, drawers and any space with food residue to make sure all the bacteria is cleaned away.
4. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates. Dust and get an all purpose cleaner to scrub any dirt spots.
5. Curtains and Blinds – Wash any curtains and dust blinds. Remember to keep some windows open so al the dust the duster misses floats away.
6. Clean Out Drawers and Cabinets - Take this time to do any needed reorganizing and get rid of all the little items you don’t need.
7. Clean Garbage Disposal – For a nice fresh scent pour some baking soda and some lemon peels with warm water and let it grind it all up.
8. Clean Dishwasher – Pick out any food that has been left at the bottom of your dishwasher, and then run it empty with either a little baking soda and vinegar.

After the kitchen we head into the bedrooms:

1. Rotate Mattress – This will distribute the usage more evenly.
2. Put on Summer Bedding- take those flannel sheets off, wash them and store them. Time to put on those light sheets and exchange down comforters for cotton blankets.
3. Wash Pillows – Most pillows are machine washable, but they can also be hand washed in a tub.
4. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates.
5. Dust Ceiling Fan – Be – try to use a towel folded over the fan blade so you aren’t flipping dust all over yourself.
6. Curtains and Blinds – Wash curtains and dust blinds.
7. Closets – It’s said that people only truly wear 25% of what’s in their closet. Go through your clothes, shoes, and accessories to find the things that haven’t been worn in a year, are out of date, don’t fit and donate them. Also make sure to neatly store all the heavy winter clothing to make room for lighter summer clothing.  

From bedrooms to bathrooms:

1. Update First-Aid Kit – This needs to be done periodically, so spring cleaning is a good reminder to do so. Here is a link to great checklist for first aid kits. http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/lifeline/fakit.html
2. Remove Expired Cosmetics and Beauty Products – When in doubt, throw it out. Some studies suggest that cosmetics are only healthy to use for 6 months.
3. Curtains and Blinds – Wash curtains and dust blinds.
4. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates.
5. Wash Out Trash Can – Don’t just dump the trash, clean out the inside of the can.

Head outside because that can always use a cleaning too!:

1. Wash Outdoor Furniture – wipe it down, spray it off, wash those seat cushions and get ready for spring and summer.
2. Wash Windows – This includes the screens (hose and soap is the best method).
3. Spray Down House – If your siding looks dirty, spray it down with a hose. Use a pressure washer if necessary.
4. Pressure Wash Driveway – Stand at the end of your drive way and you make the call? Does it need it or not?

A last but not least a few misc. places to clean:

1. Check Fire Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Monitor Batteries – Do this every 6 months for home fire safety and protection, and to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.
2. Clean Out Your Files – Go through all your loose mail, papers sitting around and receipts. File away what you need and shred the rest. If you want to be space savvy, go paperless and scan everything!
3. Shampoo Carpets – You can do this yourself, or hire someone to do it for you. Just remember to let them dry thoroughly before putting your furniture back in place in order to prevent furniture stains.
4. Re-seal Grout – Grout is no fun to clean so protect it with a sealer.
5. Clean Out Garage – We all talk about needing to go through everything out there and donate or have a garage sale. Well, your time is now, set aside some time, and go through it now! No better time to have a sale then summer time!
6. Shine Doorknobs – Doorknobs are full of germs and should be cleaned regularly. Think about, what gets touched upon entering any room in your house?