As the days grow longer and flowers start peeking through the soil, it becomes more and more clear that Spring is just around the corner. Spring has always represented a time to start brand new, and over the decades, many of us turned spring cleaning into a true ritual of renewal.
Refreshing our living space goes beyond the practical aspects of having a clean home. A neat and tidy house and workspace can have a positive impact on your overall and mental health.
This doesn’t mean you have to spend days scrubbing all surfaces. This spring cleaning guide and checklist will help you turn your home pristine in no time. Now, let’s see how to clean the various rooms and areas of your home.
CLEANING THE HALLWAY
The hallway is one of the most neglected places in a home, but also the most important. This is the part of your house all your guests will see as soon as you open the door. A buffer zone between the outside and your interior, the hallway gathers a lot of dirt and dust daily. If you’re not cleaning your entrance as often as you clean your kitchen or bathroom, it is essential to give it special attention during spring cleaning. Don’t forget to:
- Store away winter coats and organise the shoes on a shoe rack
- Wipe down the walls, skirting boards, and door
- Dust and polish furniture
- Clean the windows and mirrors – using soap and water works and cleaning with old newspaper wonders!
- Shake off the dirt from your doormat
- Sweep and mop the floor
SPRING CLEANING THE LIVING ROOM
Every house’s core, the living room, is likely the most used space in your home. This is where you can catch up and spend time with your family, entertain guests, or (before COVID!) throw parties. Alongside the hallway, it is a part of your home people will see. Regular cleaning sessions throughout the year keep this area clean and tidy, but spring cleaning gives you the opportunity to unclutter and deep clean it. Here’s a quick living room checklist:
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wash throw blankets and pillows
- Wash the curtains
- Clean the windows
- Clean the curtain rods
- Dust or clean wall art and other hanging objects (e.g., mirrors)
- Vacuum your sofa, chairs, and carpets. Most hoovers have attachments and accessories designed specifically for this purpose
- Clean any stains on the upholstery
- Clean the electronics and sterilise all remote controls
- Dust the lampshades
- Dust the bookcases and books
- Get rid of any unnecessary items and organise everything else
- Sweep the floors
TIDYING THE KITCHEN
A space dedicated to preparing food, the kitchen is one of the few rooms in a home that’s cleaned daily – at least partly. So, use the spring cleaning to focus on those things that don’t get so much attention throughout the year. Start with uncluttering, donating, or throwing away any unnecessary items, including cookware and dishes you don’t use, cooking books that gather dust but that you haven’t touched in years, and even small appliances that you don’t use. Then, use this checklist to deep clean your kitchen.
- Toss any expired or altered products from your fridge, pantry, and cabinets
- Deep clean all appliances, including the fridge, microwave, oven, hob, and washing machine if you have it in the kitchen
- Clean and check the functionality of all small appliances
- Dust and clean the kitchen units with a sanitising agent
- Wipe clean the counters and tiles, removing any grease and stains
- Wash or hoover any floor rugs
- Clean the windows and wash the window treatments
- Dust the lampshades
- Sweep and mop the floor
SPRING CLEANING THE BATHROOM
Like the kitchen, the bathroom is another room that is cleaned daily. Yet, this room still is one of the filthiest in the home. Grime and dirt build up quickly in the bathroom environment, and even if you wipe the floors, counters, and tub daily or weekly, there are a few things that are easily overlooked, such as sterilising the toothbrush holder or cleaning the soap dish. Spring cleaning is undeniably perfect for taking care of those things.
- Check the cabinets and remove any expired medicines and cosmetics
- Sanitize all bathroom fixtures, including the toilet, sink, bath, and shower
- Wipe clean all bathroom fittings, including mirrors and cabinets
- Wash the floor and curtains
- Clean the windows and tiles
- Organise your towel cabinet
- Sweep and mop the floor
SPRING CLEANING THE BEDROOMS
A tidy bedroom might look clean, but this room is a true hot spot for allergens. From carpets to the mattress, pillows, and curtains, all gather dust and dust mites. This is why you should give special attention to all the bedrooms. Cleaning aside, this is also the perfect time to get rid of any clothes and items you keep in your wardrobe but don’t use.
- Organise your wardrobe and chests of drawers, donating or tossing all unnecessary items or putting seasonal items in storage
- Wash the curtains and bed skirt
- Clean the windows and curtains
- Vacuum the mattress on both sides as well as any other upholstered items of furniture
- Clean or vacuum the headboard
- Move the bed and hoover the carpet or mop the floor underneath
- Dust the lampshades
- Deep clean the carpets with a sanitising agent and hoover them thoroughly
- Change the bed sheets
ELECTRONICS AND DEVICES
Whilst most people focus on various rooms and large furniture during spring cleaning, don’t forget to take care of your electronics and devices. Some items often left out of the picture are the devices we use daily, including PCs and laptops, mobile devices, and even televisions. Make sure to unplug all devices before cleaning them.
- Wipe off the dirt from your computer or laptop screen, then use a microfibre cloth or screen wipe to remove any fingerprints and smudges
- Clean the keyboard with a soft brush and microfibre cloth
- Use a duster to get rid of dust from the power cords
- Wipe the game consoles and controllers
- Clean the USB ports with a slim electronics cleaning brush
- Sanitise your devices with specific electronics wipes
Hopefully, this list can help you go through the spring cleaning effortlessly. So, what room are you going to start with?
House cleaning supplies photo created by Racool_studio – www.freepik.com