2 weeks until SPRING!

Two weeks from today marks the beginning of Spring for 2017! Who is ready for open windows and the smell of a clean home? I know I am. I wanted to do a post to give you an idea of what I do for spring cleaning in my own house. When I take on spring cleaning, it makes me heart sing. Not everyone has that same affection for this task so I hope I can break it down to an easy to love process.

Because I am already working on de-cluttering, I am one step ahead in some areas but if you have not done that yet and prefer to do it as you go then you would de-clutter your space before you deep clean. So that is always step #1!

We have been in our home since Nov 2012. Life has been a whirlwind and we have never really done any sort of redecorating or interior improvements. So you will see that my updates will actually include a little bit of re-purposing and remodeling on a very limited budget.

MAKE IT SPARKLE!

Let's begin with the detailed cleaning lists for the most common rooms in the home....

Kitchen: 

Empty the fridge/freezer and clean it thoroughly

Empty cupboards, drawers and shelving areas and wash/dry inside and outside, neatly return items that have been determined necessary and needed

Deep clean oven/stove top & microwave (if you don't do this regularly)

Wash and dry all canisters and knick knacks in your space

Clean fan/vent hood, washing or replacing filters

Clean light fixtures, taking down bowls (glass bulb coverings) and wiping them down

Clean under the sink, pull all items out and discard unwanted items

Deep clean pet food areas

Wash/dust walls, baseboards, trim and ceilings, removing all dust and grime

Clean small appliances, clean out the toaster oven, wash down the mixer, etc. (if you don't do this regularly)

Scrub floors, deep cleaning cabinet kick plates and areas under and behind all of the large appliances that you can

Wash windows and window frames including the interior sills. Dust blinds if applicable. Wash window treatments if applicable

Disinfect dishwasher and all trash cans 

Wash all counters & back splash 

Living Room: 

Wash/dust all walls, baseboards, trim and ceiling

Deep clean carpets and scrub floors

Wash all windows, frames and interior sills. Dust blinds and wash window treatments if applicable

Remove items from end tables, bookcases, polish & clean furniture, de-clutter items...returning only items you find necessary

Clean couch cushions if applicable, vacuum couch

Wash all blankets & throw blankets

Clean out fireplace if applicable 

Wipe down all knick knacks and decor

Dust and wipe down all electronics, organizing wiring and components if needed

Wash down ceiling fans, light fixtures, removing bulb coverings for washing if applicable

Dining Room: 

Wash/dust all walls, baseboards, trim and ceiling

Wash down light fixtures, removing bulb coverings for washing if applicable

Wipe and polish all furniture

Clean and straighten all china and dishes, wipe down inside and outside of cabinets & buffets

Wash all windows, frames and interior sills. Dust blinds and wash window treatments if applicable

Deep clean carpets and scrub floors 

Laundry Room: 

Wash/dust all walls, baseboards, trim and ceiling

Scrub floors

Wash behind your washer and dryer (if possible) 

Wash all windows, frames and interior sills. Dust blind and wash window treatments if applicable

Wipe down exterior of the dryer & scrub lint trap, if you do not do this regularly (you should though, big fire hazard- water should always be able to run freely thru the screen) 

Disinfect interior of the washing machine, wipe down exterior

Remove items from all shelving and cabinets, wipe down and return all necessary items neatly

Wash all light fixtures, removing bulb coverings if applicable

Clean sink and drains if applicable

Disinfect trash can 

Bedrooms: 

Wash/dust all walls, baseboards, trim and ceiling

Clean carpets/Scrub floors 

Wash all windows, frames and interior sills. Dust blinds and wash window treatments if applicable

Wash all light fixtures/ceiling fans, removing bulb coverings if applicable

Dust under and behind all beds, bookcases, furniture

Wash and polish all bedroom furniture, decluttering extra books and misplaced items

Clean out drawers and closets, getting rid of unwanted clothes, shoes, jewelry and storing out of season clothing, returning all necessary clothing and closet items neatly

Wash mattress pads and flip mattress

Swap out winter bedding 

Washing all extra blankets and pillow coverings

Bathrooms: 

Wash/dust all walls. baseboard, trim and ceiling

Scrub floors, wash all mats and throw rugs

Wash all windows, frames and interior sills. Dust blinds and wash window treatments if applicable

Wash all light fixtures, removing bulb coverings & cleaning fan vents and replacing filters if applicable

Wipe down all mirrors, counters

Disinfect trash can

Empty and clean all linen closets, cabinets, shelving. Discard all outdated and unnecessary items. Go thru all products including makeup

Scrub toilets and areas behind, if you don't do that regularly

Deep clean the shower and tracks for doors if applicable

Clean drains if needed 

Replace shower curtain if you have not done it recently

Disinfect bath toys

Entry closets/linen closets:

Empty closet and sort thru all items, donate extra or worn bedding/towels to a local animal shelter 

Donate or sell outgrown or extra coats, shoes and winter items

Wash/dust walls and replace wanted items neatly 

Playroom/Family Room: 

Wash/dust all walls, baseboard, trim and ceiling

Clean carpets and scrub floors

Wash all windows, frames and interior sills. Dust blinds and wash window treatments if applicable

Wash all light fixtures/ceiling fans, removing bulb coverings if applicable

Empty and clean all bookcases, sorting thru toys, games, movies and books. Donate or sell unwanted items and replace kept items neatly 

Sort thru and disinfect toys

Rotate toys and store some for a rainy day

Move furniture and wash/dust behind and underneath

Office Space:

Clean out files in desk. Only keeping current year in the desk/office space. Store all outdated files/papers by year in another space (garage, basement, storage space) 

Organize all papers left by payee, subject, month (whatever works for your brain) 

Wipe down all electronics, using compressed air if you need to 

Clean out all unwanted emails, files on your computer or devices

Perform maintenance and back ups

Organize all printed photos and memory keepers 

Porches and Entry Ways: 

Sweep and dust all areas, free the area of cobwebs 

Clean off porch furniture and wash/wipe cushions and mats/rugs

Wipe off tables, light fixtures, decor

Wash down exterior doors, inside and outside

Scrub grill and check for proper function 

Okay....now that seems like a lot. This is not something you tackle in one day. A lot of people do it over the course of one week or several weekends. It all depends on your schedule. Write it in like it is an appointment on your daily or weekly to do list. It gives you a goal and even if you do part of a room each day, you are getting somewhere. I start in one corner of my house and move along as the rooms come, starting with my laundry room and ending in our 3rd bedroom upstairs. 

When I clean I prefer to use certain products....I like Pine Sol and Murphy's Oil Soap for my deep cleaning of walls, floors, fixtures.

I disinfect with Thieves concentrate made into a spray or a tub of water to scrub with. 

I have a homemade glass cleaner that works great. (go back in the blog posts to see that one) and the power of vinegar and baking soda are amazing. 

I like to have a carry all of my cleaning tools and products all together so I can move room to room. You can use a bucket or any storage container you prefer. 

So put on some music, keep yourself hydrated and make that house shine!