Spring Cleaning Checklist

With spring just around the corner we can look forward to nicer weather, beautiful blossoms and spring cleaning?! Well, we might not look forward to that last one... However, if we can calm and organize ourselves before taking on this colossal task, spring-cleaning might just not be so bad.

First take some time to prepare. In a previous post I recommended taking some time to actually plan and prepare for spring-cleaning instead of diving in headfirst. How much cleaning time will you set aside? Will you be trying to clean every inch of your house? Or are there specific areas that need more time and devotion? Will you need to rent or buy tools, equipment, or cleaning supplies? Will you have a music playlist ready to keep you in the cleaning spirit? Consider these questions before cleaning day arrives. 

Cleaning Checklist- Room By Room

The list that follows is not comprehensive but includes important cleaning tasks room by room. Keep in mind every home and homeowner is different. I don’t recommend trying to tackle all these chores in a single day or weekend.

The Kitchen & Dining Room

·     clean microwave, oven, and range

·     clean hood over oven and range

·     clean and organize refrigerator and freezer

·     replace refrigerator water filter if you have one

·     clean and disinfect trashcan

·     blow out or vacuum refrigerator coils

·     clean and organize cabinets and storage areas

·     clean and disinfect small appliances like coffee maker and toaster oven

·     deep clean floors and areas under appliances and furniture

·     clean walls and touch up paint if needed

·     dust crown molding, walls and corners, and floor molding

·     dust, clean and polish cabinets and furniture

·     clean light fixtures

·     disinfect table and wipe down chairs, clean and vacuum seat cushions

·     remove and clean rug if you have one

Bathrooms

·     clean and disinfect light switches, countertops, tooth brush holders, etc.

·     clean light fixtures

·     clean and vacuum air vents

·     clean mirror

·     clean shower curtain and liner

·     clean and disinfect bathtub

·     scrub, clean, disinfect and remove rust from toilet

·     check seals around bathtub and seal with caulk if necessary

·     consider re-sealing tile and grout

·     clean and organize bathroom cabinets

·     wash towels

·     wash and disinfect trashcan

·     wash and dry floor mat

·     unclogged drains

·     clean and disinfect pretty much everything; doorknobs, light switches, toilet paper holder, plunger and plunger holder, etc.

Laundry/ Utility Room

·     clean dryer vent and inside dryer

·     clean inside washing machine

·     empty washing machine drain pump

·     dust walls, corners, floors and molding

·     dust around and beneath washer and dryer

·     sweep and mop floors

·     clean walls and touch up with paint if necessary

·     clean and organize shelves

·     throw away expired or unnecessary cleaning supplies

·     clean and disinfect doorknobs, light switches, etc.

Living Room

·     clean and organize room putting away things that shouldn’t’ be there

·     dust everywhere, crown molding, window sills, corners, floor molding, etc.

·     vacuum and shampoo carpet

·     dust celling fans, lamp shades, and furniture

·     clean lights and replace old bulbs with L.E.D.

·     clean windows, window sills, and doors

·     dust electronics and carefully clean

·     disinfect remote controls

·     If you have hardwood, sweep and condition floors

Bedrooms

·     declutter and organize

·     dust everywhere, ceilings, corners, molding, etc.

·     wash bed sheets, pillow cases, comforter, and fitted sheet

·     clean under bed

·     clean and dust light fixtures

·     vacuum carpet or sweep and condition hardwood

·     clean and disinfect doorknobs, light switches, light switch covers, etc.