- Work in one area. Whether it's one drawer or one room, stay in one place and see your project finished through. It will give you a feeling of satisfaction and motivate you for the next.
- Open the windows and let the house breathe.
- Clean top to bottom. Be efficient and start at the top of a room and work your way down to the ground.
- Affix an old t-shirt to the end of your mop and gather cobwebs from ceiling corners.
- Affix a feather duster to your broom handle to dust chandeliers and light fixtures.
- Dust the top of ceiling fans. You'll be shocked how much dust has built up in the off season.
- Dust the tops of door jams, cupboards and picture frames.
- Use a hose attachment to vacuum the nooks and crannies of couches and chairs. Don't forget to vacuum the upholstery too.
- Use a Magic Eraser or similar product to clean scuffs off of walls.
- Wipe down light switches and door knobs.
- Wipe down baseboards and touch up with paint where necessary.
- Clear everything off kitchen countertops and scrub with soap and water.
- Wipe down cupboard doors and shelves.
- Apply a coat of sealant to granite or stone countertops.
- Clean out the fridge. Toss out old food and use up food that is still good.
- Organize the pantry. Pull items with approaching expiration dates to the front.
- Clean the oven. Put a fresh layer of tin foil in the bottom to make cleanup easy.
- Purge old paints, cleansers, and chemicals and research where they can be disposed of locally.
- For a foolproof window washing solution, use 1 gallon distilled water with 2 cups rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 teaspoon Dawn dishsoap. Spray on and wipe clean with a cheesecloth or squeegee.
- Hang floor rugs and runners outside on a railing and beat with a rod for several minutes. This will loosen deep particles that breakdown fibers. Transfer rugs inside and vacuum immediately.
- Scrub the grill, refill the propane, and light the BBQ. Allow it to sit on high heat for at least 30 minutes to burn off any residue.
- Change furnace filters and water filters.
- Check with your city or waste management and take advantage of excess waste or green waste pickup days.
- Invest in a compost bin for the backyard. Keep a smaller container under the sink for pieces of fruit, vegetables, egg shells, and coffee grinds. Once the smaller container is full, transfer it to the larger container.
- Wash blankets and throws before storing for the season.
- Wash winter coats and snow gear before storing.
- Spray out garbage cans with the hose and allow to dry completely in the sun.
- Sweep garage.
- Organize a neighborhood yard sale. Donate the money to a good cause.
Spring Cleaning Checklist
To some, spring cleaning is a joyous ritual and to others, an overwhelming pursuit. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, here's a tip-filled checklist that will keep you on track and ready to start your season with shining success.