Spring Cleaning

Spring is finally crawling out from under the rock it’s been hiding under since September. That means it’s time to clean your home and pretend like you haven’t been hiding under a rock all winter. Make your way through this spring checklist from Premeditated Leftovers to really scrub the winter gloom out of every nook of your home.

Family Room

1. Remove all décor from shelves and dust thoroughly.

2. Dust and clean the glass on all hanging pictures and picture frames.

3. Remove all sofa cushions and vacuum, fluff and replace pillows and vacuum as well. If your cushion covers are removable, remove and wash before replacing. If not, you may spot treat them for stains.

4. Dust all appliances, remove any you are no longer using and store away.

5. Remove all area rugs and shake out. Vacuum all carpets, moving furniture so you can access under all of the pieces.

6. Wipe down all base board. Wash walls with a simple mixture of warm water and Murphey’s Soap.

7. Dust all plants.

8. Dust all ceiling fan blades. Remove and wash light covers if needed.

9. Dust all light fixtures, replace bulbs if needed, and wipe down light switches.

Kitchen

1. Remove all items from cabinets and wipe down the inside with warm water and vinegar. Allow the cabinets to air out. Reconsider items as you return them to the cabinet. Donate what you no longer use.

2. Wipe down the outside of cabinets to remove grease and grime. Pay special attention to the handles.

3. Dust light fixtures. Remove and wash light covering if you need to.

4. Pull large appliances away from the wall if possible to thoroughly sweep and mop the floor. Scrub well in between tiles to clean the grout.

5. Remove all items from the refrigerator. Discard what is no longer edible. Wipe down the entire inside with hot water and soap. Wipe clean and replace the items. Repeat on the outside of the fridge.

6. Run the self cleaning option on the oven or clean yourself. Pay special attention to the outside as well, by removing the knobs to give it a good scrub as well as giving some attention to the grates.

7. Clean the microwave inside and out.

8. Wash all base boards and wall areas thoroughly.

9. Remove silverware and other small items from drawers. Wipe out and return items to area.


Bedrooms

1. Dust all furniture pieces thoroughly.

2. Move bed (now is a great time to flip your mattresses as well) and vacuum under it. Return bed to its place and vacuum over the mattresses as well.

3. Wash pillows and duvets base. Replace sheets and pillowcases.

4. Wash all base boards as well as walls with a hot water and soap solution.

5. Dust ceiling fans and remove light coverings so you can thoroughly clean them.

6. Remove clothing items from closet. Donate what you no longer need. Clean out the closet well removing any dust and debris. Return clothing.

7. Do the same with drawers. Remove items, donate what you no longer need, wipe out drawers, and replace.

8. Dust and clean all hanging pictures and décor.

9. Deep clean or spot clean carpets as needed.

Bathrooms

1. Deep clean the shower with appropriate cleaners for your tile. Get in between tiles with a toothbrush to really clean the grout. Don’t neglect the shower ceiling.

2. Remove shower head and soak in a lime away product. Clean other shower fixtures with an appropriate cleaning product until they are nice and shiny.

3. Remove shower curtain and launder. Replace the shower liner if needed.

4. Discard any old or empty bath product containers. Wipe down any bath tub storage fixtures with bleach.

5. Remove toilet lid so you can thoroughly clean all the way around the bowl. Clean down to the base of the bowl and don’t forget the handle and back of bowl as well. Let some solution soak in the bowl before scrubbing the entire inside. Replace any automatic bowl cleaner you may have added.

6. Remove all toiletries from vanity drawers and cabinets. Wipe clean and replace. Discard any unused or empty containers.

7. Wash all storage containers out.

8. Clean all mirrors and light fixtures. Replace any bulbs as needed.

9. Launder all bath mats or toilet coverings.

10. Mop floors and wipe clean base boards.

…


In all rooms

1. Wash windows thoroughly. Remove windows if possible to clean the inside of the window well.

2. Remove and clean all blinds and curtains. Curtains can be laundered while blinds can be dusted and wiped clean.

3. Spot treat any upholstered items that can’t be laundered.

4. Spot treat any wall chips with matching paint.

5. Replace air fresheners or sachets in all rooms with fresh ones.

6. Wipe vents clean and sanitize commonly touched areas such as handles and switches.