The sun is shining, birds are chirping and everything is in bloom! While spring fever may have you itching to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, it’s also a great time to get your indoor space shining too! We’ve compiled an easy to follow list of items to tackle while spring cleaning and a few tips to make the process less of a chore. You can even download our spring cleaning checklist to keep organized along the way!
Top 8 Spring Cleaning Tips
1. Kitchen Clean-Up
In most homes, the kitchen is quite a busy place! Give your kitchen the deep clean it deserves by hitting all of the items below:
- Sink – if your sink drain is smelling less than fresh, drop a few lemon rinds into the garbage disposal, then follow with some ice cubes to sharpen the blades.
- Countertops – shine up those dull countertops with a granite polish to cut through grease and stains. Avoid vinegar or ammonia products and they tend to leave a dull residue. You may even want to consider having your countertop resealed.
- Cabinets – over time, kitchen cabinets accumulate a build-up of grease and dust. Use a degreaser or cabinet cleaner to get your cabinets looking new. Don’t forget to remove the contents and wipe down the insides as well.
- Stainless Steel Surfaces – brighten those stainless steel appliances using a mixture of dish detergent and hot water. Using a microfiber cloth, follow the grain, then rinse with hot water and a dry cloth.
- Appliances – speaking of appliances, take time to give each a little extra attention
Microwave – put a bowl of water and some citrus rinds in your microwave for 5 minutes. Allow the bowl to sit for an additional five minutes, then use a sponge to wipe the interior.
Dishwasher – remove any leftover debris from the bottom, then run a cleaning cycle using a dishwasher cleaning pod.
Fridge – clean up spills and stuck on mess! Remove shelves and bins to wash in hot soapy water. Wipe the interior before replacing and be sure to organize your fridge contents to make everything easy to find.
Oven – most ovens have an easy self-cleaning option. However, if you’re not so lucky, place a hot rag over burnt on spots to loosen, then use baking soda and a scrubbing sponge to clean them away.
2. Bathroom Disinfect
Although your bathroom probably gets cleaned regularly, there are a few areas that probably get neglected throughout the year. From mildew to toilet stains, we’ve got you covered.
- Shower Curtains – get rid of mildew stains by throwing your shower curtain in the wash on the gentle cycle with a few towels. Once it’s clean just hang it back up to dry in the shower.
- Grout – brighten tile by cleaning those stained grout lines. Simply spray with a grout or all-purpose cleaner and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Use a firm scrub brush then rinse. If necessary, reseal your grout.
- Drain – get rid of funky smells by freshening your drain. Clean out any clogged hair then pour a mixture of ½ cup baking soda and ¼ cup salt, followed by one cup of warm vinegar. Allow it to foam for 10-15 minutes then run the water for 30 seconds.
- Toilet Stains – hard water and mineral deposit stains can make a toilet look dirty! Use a mix of vinegar and Borax to help scrub those stains away.
3. Treat Your Windows
Let the sun shine in with clean windows!
- Window Glass – use cleaning windows with Dawn, a basic glass cleaner, and microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine. Be sure to clean the outside as well as the window frames.
- Screens – remove screen and hose them off to remove pollen and debris
- Blinds – use a duster to clean between slatted blinds or a vacuum for fabric shades
- Curtains – pop your curtains in the dryer on the air cycle for 15 minutes then rehang immediately to avoid wrinkles.
4. Keep Floors Looking Fabulous
No matter what type of floor you have, it’s important to do a deep clean a few times per year.
- Hardwood – A dry mop works wonders for regular dust removal, but occasionally you may need to use a cleaning product specially made for hardwood floors.
- Rugs – move furniture away from the walls to get at those dust bunnies hiding behind. After a thorough vacuum, deep clean carpets using a carpet cleaner. For specialty rugs or rugs without backing, hire a professional!
5. Look Up High
Cobwebs and dust can form up high too! Don’t forget to start at the top and get those corners.
- Lights & Ceiling Fixtures – use a duster to tackle ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Walls/Ceilings – use a vacuum to get dust along molding and in the corners. Wipe down walls to remove grease and fingerprints.
6. Give Your Furniture Some TLC
Show your furniture some love and TLC with a cleaning, dusting, or polishing
- Upholstered Furniture – use an upholstery attachment and vacuum to remove dust. Remove the cushions and get down in the crevices.
- Wood Furniture – give a good dusting and polish using wood cleaner or furniture polish. Try adding a furniture wax to unsealed wood finishes.
7. Bedding –
We recommend changing sheets weekly, however, larger bedding items only need to be laundered a few times per year. If your washer isn’t large enough, consider taking all of your bedding to a local laundromat where you can get everything done at once. Kick back and read a book while you wait.
You should also give your mattresses a vacuum and refresh with a disinfecting spray before remaking the beds.
8. Washer/Dryer
- Washer – Over time, your washing machine can start to smell of mildew. Freshen your washer with bleach or a washing machine cleaner using the washer cleaning cycle.
- Dryer – Vacuum the lint filter and cavity using the crevice tool. Vacuum behind the dryer and underneath as well to get those dust bunnies. Regularly cleaning of dryer vents helps to prevent fire hazards.
9. Clean Your Cleaners
That’s right, don’t forget to clean your cleaners! Replace the bag in your vacuum, clean the dust cup, and replace or wash filters. Get rid of tangled hair and strings on the roller.
Also, remove the hair and dust tangled in your broom and disinfect or replace mop heads.
Quick Tips & Tricks To Stay On Task With Spring Cleaning
- Work on one room at a time; there’s a sense of accomplishment with each room you finish.
- Create or download a room by room cleaning checklist
- Organize closets and drawers while you clean to get rid of clutter.
- Sort belongings into categories: Keep, Donate, Trash.
- Keep seasonal items to put in storage.
- Donate unwanted items that are in good condition.
- Trash anything that’s worn or broken.
- Prepare your gear. Wear a mask, old clothes, and chemical-resistant nitrile gloves to protect yourself from injury, irritation, and infection while cleaning.
Conclusion
Whether cleaning your family home or getting your home ready for sale or rental, follow the tips and tricks above to stay on task and get your home spring fresh in no time!
