The sun is shining, it’s warming up outdoors…and you can see that dust flying through your house with every sunbeam. That’s right! It’s time for Spring cleaning. One of my most favorite times of the year! Is that weird? Maybe, but there is nothing I love more than a seriously clean house. But, it can be overwhelming. Let’s break it down and get started on the nitty gritty details. Let the Spring Cleaning begin!
Whole House
Windows
This is going to be one of the most tedious and time consuming spring cleaning tasks on the list…but will make a huge difference in the amount of sunlight that enters your home. If you have combination windows, take them apart. For a streak free clean, use a vinegar and water solution and wipe down all the surfaces. Take a damp rag and wipe down the screens as well. They collect allll sorts of stuff.
Baseboards
When was the last time you took a good look at your baseboards…I know, don’t look too closely. Spilled coffee, scuff marks, pet hair…all things that like to find their way to your baseboards…and mopping isn’t going to cut it. Grab a rag and scrub those baseboards clean!
Drapes + Curtains + Canopies +Blinds
This is a big one. Take down all your curtains and drapes. Depending on their care needs, take them to the dry cleaners or wash and dry them yourself. If any of your kiddos have those cute fabric canopies above their bed, give those a good washing as well. The amount of dust that collects on them is crazy! If you have wooden blinds or fabric blinds, give them a good dusting or vacuuming.
Vents + Ducts
Investing in professional duct cleaning is one of the best things you can do for your home, especially if anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma. These companies will also do a thorough cleaning of your dryer vent. Super important. While you’re at it, look into having a UV air purifier installed in your system.
Carpets + Rugs
Once a year, get these babies professionally cleaned. No residential vacuum can get the amount of dirt and dust that collects in area rugs and carpeting.
Kitchen
Fridge
One of our favorites! Take EVERYTHING out. Wipe down the shelves, remove the drawers and give them a good soak in dish soap and water. While you’re at it, discard any expired condiments. Check out our post about how to get it in tip top organizational shape.
Stove + Oven
If you have gas stove with grates, remove the grates and put them in the sink. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and coat all surfaces. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Using a cloth, scrub off any residue and rinse under warm water. Electric burner drip pans? Usually these can be tossed in the dishwasher. If there is some seriously baked on grease, Kitchen Magic Erasers work wonders. For your oven, create that same baking soda paste and let it sit inside your oven floor and glass for an hour. Use a cloth to remove the baked on grease.
Cabinets
Take it allllll out. Yes, every single item. Vacuum out the crumbs and wipe down the shelves. Don’t forget about the area under the drawers… Another great opportunity to toss expired and/or never used items. Do you really use all those glasses? Do you have an impressive collection of plastic kids cups from various Disney on Ice productions? Time to say goodbye and make room for new.
Bathroom
Cosmetics + Brushes
While you should wash your makeup brushes more than once a year, Spring is a good reminder to get to it 🙂 Take a look at your cosmetics and products and toss out anything that is expired. Check out our post on beauty product pare down.
Shower + Bath
Take a look at the grout around your tub. If it’s missing or peeling in places, it’s a good idea to re-grout. If it just needs to be freshened up, I love using a bleach pen. To clean your shower head, fill a plastic baggie with vinegar and water and use a rubber band to attach it to the shower head. Let it soak for several hours or overnight.
Bedrooms
Clothing
Now is the time to go through your closets and donate anything you or your kids have outgrown or no longer wear. Really. Have you worn it this past season? If the answer is no, you likely won’t wear it next season either…
Pillows + Comforters
Down and synthetic pillows and comforters can all be washed in a front loading machine. Using a small amount of dish detergent, wash on your normal cycle. Toss these items in the dryer with a few tennis balls and rotate after each cycle until dry.
Kids Toys
Cold and flu season, millions of playdates, daily wear and tear…when was the last time you disinfected your kids toys? Grab that bucket of Duplos and dump them into a bleach and water solution. Wipe down the play kitchen, train table and other large items with disinfecting wipes. Take a quick inventory of what you have…do the kids still play with all of these things or can you donate to make room for new? Need a little more toy minimizing inspiration? Take a look at our tips for a rotating toy collection.
Other Spaces
Laundry Room
Keeping your washer fresh is more than just tossing in a machine cleaner now and then. Have you ever drained the water trap and pulled the filter out of the front of your machine? If not, now is the time. For your dryer, make sure your dryer vent is clear and vacuum out the lint trap to get any hard to reach lint.
Mud Room
Take your boot trays outside and give them a good spray and wipe down any shelving or bins that hold shoes. So much sand, salt and dirt accumulates over the winter. Wash coats, snow pants, hats, mittens and boot bottoms and put them into plastic storage bins. Make way for those lovely lightweight jackets!
Garage + Garage Floors
If you haven’t invested in a power washer, now is the time…or go find a neighbor who has one. Sweep out your garage stalls, shop vac, then give them a good pressure wash. Getting winter’s salt and dirt off your garage floor will prevent it from coming into your house. Make sure lawn mowers, trimmers, etc. get in for a tune up. For tips on spring cleaning the items in your garage, see our recent article in Edina Magazine!
Patio Furniture
Unless you have a large area to bring your patio furniture indoors, likely it sat outside all winter. Even with covers on, furniture still collects dust and dirt. Remember that pressure washer we talked about? Using low pressure ( or a garden hose with spray attachment) spray down your tables, chairs and other outdoor furniture. Wipe it down with a cloth to remove any stubborn dirt. If you didn’t wash your cushion covers before putting them away for the winter, now is the time. Get your patio ready for BBQ season!
City Trash + Recycling Bins
Yuck…I know this isn’t a fun one, but either is the stale scent of empty cans and bottles in your recycling bin in 90 degree humid weather. Put a little dishwashing soap in the bottom of the bin, lay the bin on it’s side and clean it out with the sprayer from your garden hose. Turn it upside down to dry. That wasn’t so hard, was it?
Cleaning Supplies
I know…how very Monica Gellar to clean your cleaning supplies. But did you know your vacuum won’t work to it’s fullest potential without a good cleaning now and then? If you have a bagless vacuum, disassemble the parts and rinse or wipe out the canister. Give the filter a good soaking, pull out any debris from the hoses, and cut hair and other things that have wrapped around the brushes. Run your cleaning rags and mop heads through a sanitary cycle on your washer with bleach, and run your dish brushes and sponges through the dishwasher if you don’t already do this more frequently.
Take a deep breath and enjoy your clean, lighter home. Don’t you feel better already? Happy Spring!
Love,
Ashley + Lindsay
