Spring Cleaning Tips – Keeping It Fast and Efficient

It’s about that time – the time for warmer weather, new flowers, outdoor activities, and…spring cleaning. While some get excited about a good deep cleaning session, we know it evokes dread in others… But it doesn’t have to be a horrible ordeal, and it can be very refreshing once it’s done! This is the ideal time to open your windows, let the house air out a bit, and get to cleaning out and cleaning up. Check out some of the tips below on how to make this process as fast and painless as possible.

Happy first week of spring! And happy cleaning! 😉

Step 1 – Create a room-by-room cleaning plan.

Tackling your spring cleaning room-by-room is much less daunting and more effective than trying to do everything at once. Create a checklist for every room in your house (don’t forget coat closets and garages!). Take a walk through your house and jot down those areas that you may be tempted to look over once the actual cleaning begins. Approaching this in an organized manner will help make the process go more smoothly. Plus, it’s a nice feeling to mark things off of that “to do” list and see the productivity!

Don’t be afraid to designate some age-appropriate tasks to members of the home. Making it a team effort can reduce the amount of time spent indoors and get you all outside playing in no time.

Step 2 – Declutter your home.

We know, we sometimes sound like a broken record…. The first step in cleaning? Declutter! Get rid of those items that have piled up for the last year. Figure out your problem areas and start tackling them. Figure out what you can donate, toss, or potentially put in a yard sale. Having less “stuff” will feel better and make it easier to clean and maintain.

Step 3 – Dust, scrub, wash, and disinfect.

Once your surfaces are clear of dust, dirt, and debris, get ready to go after those germs! Tackle those frequently touched surfaces (for example – tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, remote controls) with household cleaners and disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions. Often this means allowing the cleaning liquid to stay on the surface for an extended period of time before wiping dry. 

Then, get to your spring cleaning checklist and wash windows (inside and out), scrub down toilets, showers, and bathtubs, and wash/polish your kitchen cabinets. This is also a great time to clean out the fridge and microwave (again, inside and out) and deep clean the oven.

Don’t forget things like the ceilings and those pesky cobwebs, baseboards, vents, the top of the fridge, etc. Those easily overlooked areas most likely need some serious TLC.

Step 4 – Vacuum, sweep, and mop.

Vacuums these days can handle more than just carpet. Let your vacuum do its job by vacuuming ALL of your floors. Now’s the time to go the extra mile by moving furniture to clean those dark, dirty spots that never see the light of day! Vacuum or sweep under the fridge, the couch, tables, etc.

While you’ve got the vacuum out, you might as well vacuum a few other places that don’t get cleaned but once a year (maybe?). Vacuum the upholstery, under the couch cushions, any window treatments that can’t be tossed in the washer, stairs if they have carpet, etc.

Step 5 – Take care of seasonal items.

Don’t forget about those seasonal tasks. Since we’re gearing up for outdoor cooking and fun, be sure to clean the grill, clean off outdoor furniture, straighten up around your deck or porch, etc. It will be so nice to be able to use it when you’re ready, rather than having to stop and clean it first. There will be time for landscaping later on, but for now, just cleaning and tidying will suffice.

Don’t forget about the outside of your windows and doors, and make sure you sweep off the patio or deck. These things can often be missed, but they can make a huge difference in the look and feel when outside enjoying the sun!

Step 6 – Make sure you are prepared and safe.

These are some tasks to consider with the start of a new season:

• Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 
• Check all electronics, untangle cords, and make sure your surge protectors are still in good shape. 
• Check the expiration date on the fire extinguisher. 
• Update your first aid and weather emergency kits.

Quick guide to help cover the specifics:

• Wash all linens (sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers, etc.) and curtains (if machine washable).
• Start with ceilings and work your way down (think cobwebs up high to dust bunnies down low…and everything in between).
• Wash the inside and outside of windows, including the sills, and clean the blinds.
• Wash rugs in bathrooms, kitchens, and throughout the house.
• Vacuum vents and wipe down fans and light fixtures.
• Clean showers and bathtubs.
• Clean your garbage cans – both in the house and those used outside.
• Treat any leather furniture you may have.
• Vacuum, sweep, and mop the inside, and sweep the outside.

That’s our spring cleaning checklist. No worries if you skip a few! We’ve all been there. 😉

Suffer from allergies? Check out this post – House Cleaning Tips to Alleviate Allergies – where we share some tips to help potential allergy problems in the home.