The annual tradition of spring cleaning has guilted homeowners over the years. Spring cleaning encourages a fresh and clean new start to the season, which is even more important if you’re planning to sell your home and are embarking on pre-move decluttering.
With proper planning our homeowner’s guide to spring cleaning will help you get to work and have a sparkling clean home to enjoy.
Spring Cleaning Step 1: Make a Schedule and Plan Ahead
Deep cleaning your home is a daunting task. Make it easier by creating a schedule and planning ahead.
When I think about spring cleaning my entire home I get overwhelmed, so I make a schedule to tackle 1-2 rooms a day. I also print off a room-by-room checklist (any checklist from the internet will do) so I don’t forget something.
Spring Cleaning Step 2: Start Decluttering
My favorite part of spring cleaning is declutter and either donating items or getting rid of them. I typically take gently used items to the local consignment store, or sell nicer items on Poshmark.
Donate Clothes You Haven’t Worn
I used to hang on to clothes and shoes thinking I’d wear them one of these days and I’d let it all sit in my closet year after year. I have finally reached the point where I really like getting rid of clothes, because let’s be honest, I’m probably not going to wear that shirt from college. This is around the time I switch my winter clothes for spring clothes, so I go through my winter clothes as I put them away and if I didn’t wear this past winter or the winter before, I get rid of it. I do the same thing with my spring and summer clothes as I’m getting them out of storage tubs and hanging them up in my closet.
Eliminate Junk
In non-bedroom closets and drawers, you know that junk drawer you have for random stuff you don’t want laying on the counter or the closet that is stuffed with winter coats and beach bags. Go through all cabinets that have items that expire and check the expiration dates. Get rid of those items that have expired and make a list of what you need to replace. Go through drawers and cabinets that have old books and magazines and DVDs. You will be amazed how good it feels to take the time to go through and organize these areas of your home.
Spring Cleaning Step #3: The Actual Cleaning
The actual cleaning phase of spring cleaning is where the room by room checklist comes in. From dusting ceiling fans and blinds, to cleaning the microwave, refrigerator and freezer, to washing your dogs bed, to disinfecting your trashcan and wiping hand prints and scuff marks off the walls (hello Mr.Clean magic eraser). Finding a checklist that helps you think of items you wouldn’t normally consider helps get your house smelling, looking, and feeling fresh and ready for spring and summer!
Common Items Left Off Your Spring Cleaning Checklist
If you’re looking for a places to start cleaning in your house, use our spring cleaning checklist to ensure you don’t miss common items typically left off the list!
Scrub Your Microwave
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water, lemon and 3 tablespoons of vinegar. Heat the solution on high for 2.5 minutes, let it cool for 5 minutes. Le the solution cool for 5 minutes before removing and wiping down the inside and outside with a sponge.
Throw Out Expired Makeup
The quickest way to clean out your makeup drawer is to get rid of expired products! Some items will have an expiration date or how many months you can use the product after opening. Throwing out expired makeup isn’t just important for decluttering, but for your health too!
Clean Out the Dryer’s Lent Build Up
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to pull that dryer out and vacuum up any extra lent that’s made it’s way under or behind the dryer. Cleaning out built up dryer lent prevents a potential fire in your laundry room. It might sound funny, but you may want to wash your washer out too.
Vacuum Your Mattress
Cleaning your mattress might sound like a hard task, but the first step is to vacuum, vacuum, and vacuum! Be sure to press firmly down on the mattress. If you’d like to kill dust mites close to the surface, you can use a garment steamer or iron. Just vacuum again!
Dust Your Electronics
Our smartphones and computers are a lot dirtier than we think! Don’t leave your electronics out while spring cleaning. Damp microfiber cloths are great for cleaning your devices. Let screens dry before plugging your phone or computer back in.
Tips for Productive Cleaning
It can be hard to stay motivated when cleaning your entire house. Use these tips to keep your spring cleaning tasks productive!
- Break up cleaning into 30 minute increments. Don’t be afraid to take a rest.
- Get the household involved. Divide sections of the house by person. It gets things done quicker and keeps everyone busy.
- Dance the mess away! Put on some music that inspires you to move. Everything is better when you’re dancing, right?
- Turn clutter into a vacation fund. Items you collected during the decluttering phase can be sold and used towards a weekend vacation. You can reward yourself for all that cleaning!