What Does Spring Cleaning Mean to You?

“Only dull women have immaculate homes.” is stitched on my favorite throw pillow. It empowers me when I don’t feel like cleaning.  However, the reality of out of town house guests arriving in a couple weeks forces me to pull out the cleaning supplies, begin to declutter and participate in “spring cleaning”.  Not to mention my friends have immaculate homes and they are anything but dull.

What is the best way to tackle spring cleaning?  Does it mean to completely clean your house from top to bottom or attack areas you’ve put off or simply freshen up a room?  Or does it spark productive excitement to check things off a list?  There are over 349 books with tips, hints and advice when you search spring cleaning on Amazon. I’ve heard if you haven’t used something in a year then get rid of it.  Better yet, according to the New York Times best seller, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, you should only keep those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. This process is supposed to restart your life and lifestyle. I’m on page 53 and haven’t started purging yet.  Time will tell if it’s successful but until then I think it’s best to pick a method that motivates you to jump into action and clean.  For me, it’s knowing my friends will be arriving soon.

Following is a detailed list that may help you set some cleaning goals. If you can get through some of this you are on your way to a fresher home this spring and beyond.

Don’t work too hard though, you might miss the beautiful Colorado weather. Whether it’s exploring a new hiking trail, experimenting with a new hobby, or just playing with your family in the park, make sure your spring is equal parts productive and fun!

Spring Cleaning

• Take anything that doesn’t belong in the room and put it in the correct place
• Dust/wash light fixtures and lamps
• Dust crown molding and baseboards
• Dust baseboards and clean scuff marks
• Wipe down light switches
• Dust ceiling fans
• Wipe down doors & touch up scuff marks
• Wipe down walls
• Touch up paint
• Vacuum or wash window curtains
• Wash window blinds
• Clean windows
• Dust bookcases
• Polish wood furniture
• Wipe down and vacuum furniture and clean under cushions
• Clean and condition leather furniture
• Vacuum lampshades
• Vacuum all flooring
• Deep clean hardwood, tile, linoleum flooring
• Deep clean carpets
• Clean air vents and replace filters – NOW
• Dust picture frames, mirrors, wall hangings and light fixtures
• Replace light bulbs
• Change furnace filter
• Test smoke detectors and replace batteries – NOW
• Remove rugs to shake out, vacuum and clean under them
• Organize electronics
• Clean TV remotes and gaming devices

Kitchen

• Clean and disinfect trash can
• Clean microwave
• Deep clean dishwasher
• Clean out and organize refrigerator and freezer
• Clean and organize pantry
• Replace water filter in refrigerator
• Clean the oven
• Vacuum refrigerator coils
• Clean hood vent and change or clean filter.
• Clean and disinfect garbage disposal
• Organize plastic storage containers
• Organize kitchen drawers and cabinets
• Clean small appliances
• Sharpen knives
• Clean out cabinet under sink

Bathrooms

• Clean mirror
• Wash shower curtain and liner
• Clean shower door frame
• Clean countertops
• Clean out drawers and discard old toiletries and makeup
• Clean windows
• Mop floors and clean corners and molding
• Wash floor mat
• Wash and disinfect trash can
• Polish faucets
• Clean toilet and seat around hinges and around base
• Wipe down cabinets, knobs, towel racks and tissue holder
• Clean exhaust fan
• Clean shower heat
• Polish faucets and shower fixtures
• Check if any caulk is needed around tub or sinks
• Reseal tile and grout
• Clean drain and stopper
• Clean out expired medications and vitamins

Laundry/Utility Room

• Clean inside the washing machine
• Clean the dryer vent
• Empty washing machine drain pump
• Wipe down baseboards
• Clean underneath and behind washer and dryer
• Mop floors
• Toss unnecessary cleaning products
• Clean pet feeding bowls
• Clean pet beds

Bedrooms

• Take anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom and put it in the proper location
• Dust ceiling, corners and baseboards
• Dust and polish furniture
• Dust lamps
• Clean lampshades
• Dust ceiling fan
• Clean light fixtures
• Organize closet
• Switch out seasonal clothes
• Clean under bed
• Vacuum carpets and clean professionally
• Wash pillows

Office

• Organize desk and drawers
• Discard unneeded paperwork
• Recycle magazines
• Shred unneeded documents
• Review insurance policies
• Dust your computer, keyboard and mouse
• Dust and polish furniture