Spring Cleaning Checklist

Introduction

Welcome to a better life, or at least a cleaner home. So you’ve finally looked at your surroundings and asked yourself, how did things get this messy? Your place is in chaos, you have no idea where exactly most of your stuff is and you can’t think about cleaning without getting a headache about how much work it’s going to take.

Well, I have got some news for you. It’s not going to sort itself out if you avoid it long enough nor will it disappear. So, guess what? It’s time for you to spring clean.

“Spring” Cleaning?

Well, if you’re from the tropics like me, you probably don’t have a spring season. I appeal to your good nature to ignore the name. In essence, spring cleaning is the periodic deep cleaning of your home. In temperate climates, this process is usually done during the Spring to welcome an ambiance of newness and freshness that is characteristic of the season. It involves a lot of clearing out, furniture movement, and deep dusting. It is also the perfect time to do any room redecoration.

Look, I get it. You probably don’t think you have enough time for everything you want to get done but procrastinating will just make more unnecessary work. If you’re like me, you would probably want to get it out of the way as soon as possible. Luckily for you, I have a way for you to get it done without tearing your hair out. A checklist. One for each room in your home to guide you on your deep cleaning journey.

The Living room/Dining room

• Declutter room and put away any trash, or any misplaced items.
• Take down the curtains and launder.
• Take out rugs and dust with a beater.
• Empty shelves, cabinets, and closets and dust the surfaces.
• Dust knick-knacks and picture frames.
• Remove cobwebs with a damp cloth tied to a long broom r a hand vacuum.
• Dust ceiling fan and clean fan blades with a damp cloth.
• Dust window panes and ledges.
• Dust light fittings and switches.
• Remove couch cushions and pillows. Vacuum any dirt that made its way between cushions.
• Declutter drawers in desks. Wipe down the drawers and reorganize the items
• Wipe down windows and other glass surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth and some glass cleaner.
• Wipe down furniture and upholstery with a microfiber cloth.
• Wipe remote controls with disinfectant wipes.
• Wax wooden furniture with furniture polish and a clean cloth.
• Move furniture aside and vacuum the floor.
• Mop uncarpeted floor using white vinegar diluted with warm water. Change the water when it gets dirty. Use a scrubber to remove stubborn stains.
• Replace rugs and furniture.
• Repace and reorganize knick-knacks and useful items.
• Reinstall curtains.
• Spray the room with air freshener.

The Kitchen

• Empty and clean the refrigerator with cleaning wipes or wash with warm soapy water. Rinse with a clean wet cloth.
• Empty and clean the freezer.
• Clean the oven. Wipe the outside and inside with cleaning wipes. Use a damp scrubber to remove food and grease stains.
• Clean the microwave.
• Clean surfaces of other appliances (toaster, blender, coffee maker).
• Wipe down cabinet surfaces (interior and exterior) with cleaning wipes or white vinegar solution on a microfiber cloth.
• Empty drawers and wipe them down.
• Wash kitchen utensils.
• Wipe down counters and baseboards.
• Scrub the sink with baking soda and a sponge.
• Wipe down light switches.
• Organize dishes and utensils on racks and in cabinets and drawers.
• Organize storage containers.
• Organize the pantry/storeroom.
• Sweep or vacuum the floor.
• Wash the floor with warm soapy water and disinfectant. Rinse with a wet rag.
• Mop the floor.
• Clean the wastebasket with cleaning wipes.
• Replace the plastic bag in the wastebasket.

The Bedroom

• Put away any trash, or any misplaced items.
• Take down the curtains and launder.
• Strip the bedding and launder.
• Remove the cobwebs
• Declutter and reorganize the closets, wardrobes, shelves, and cabinets.
• Wipe down surfaces of shelves, wardrobes, and cabinets.
• Sort through clothing and miscellaneous items and discard useless items.
• Dust useful items before replacing them in cabinets and on shelves.
• Fold and hang up clean clothes in closets, drawers, and wardrobes.
• Dust the light fittings and switches.
• Dust the blinds and window panes.
• Dust the ceiling fan and clean the blades.
• Wipe mirrors and windows with a damp microfiber cloth.
• Move the movable furniture to make room for sweeping/vacuuming.
• Sweep or vacuum the floor.
• Mop the floor.
• Replace the bedding and make the bed.
• Rearrange any moved furniture.
• Reinstall the curtains.
• Spray the room with air freshener.

The Bathroom

• Put away trash or any misplaced items.
• Sweep the bathroom.
• Take down the shower curtain and launder.
• Clean the tub and shower with all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant.
• Clean and shine the mirror and window with a damp microfiber cloth.
• Scrub the sink. Use some all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, and a scrubbing brush to clean inside and under the sink. Rinse off using a wet cloth.
• Clean the faucet and sink fixtures with cleaning wipes.
• Wipe down the shower rods with cleaning wipes.
• Disinfect the toilet. Scrub both the inside and outside. Use a toilet brush and some toilet cleaner to wash inside the bowl. Use a scrubbing brush or sponge and some all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant to wash outside.
• Wipe down the toilet handle with cleaning wipes.
• Empty and clean the cabinets. Wipe down the cabinet shelves with a cleaning wipe or damp cloth. Replace all items on the shelves.
• Wash the floor with warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush. Rinse with a wet cloth.
• Mop the floor. Use cleaner and disinfectant diluted in water to mop the floor.
• Empty trash.
• Clean the wastebasket with cleaning wipes.
• Replace the plastic bag in the wastebasket.
• Spray the bathroom with the air freshener.

Conclusion

Spring cleaning is a wonderful thing. It helps us declutter our homes and to some extent, our lives. It doesn’t have to be tedious or boring and it can be broken up into manageable pieces over a long weekend.

Prepare yourself, use these checklists and you should be fine. By the time you’re done, the blood, sweat, and tears would be worth it. I guarantee it.