Spring cleaning, everyone loves doing this, not! It’s that time of the year of cleaning a house from top to bottom. However, if you’re keen on doing that yourselves then use this handy Spring Cleaning Checklist to get you going.
Spring Cleaning Tasks
- Wipe down walls and ceilings. Use a vacuum to remove dust. Tackle stubborn surface grime with a solvent-free degreaser (test it first in an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t mark the surface).
- Vacuum and shampoo rugs. Synthetic carpets and rugs with waterproof backings can be deep-cleaned with a rotary shampoo machine and a hot-water extraction machine. Rugs without backings, including Orientals, require professional cleaning.
- Dust off books and shelves. Take everything off the shelves and make sure that you pile it up in the right order. Brush shelves and books with a feather duster. Use the dust-brush or crevice tool on a vacuum to reach into tight spots. Wipe the spines of leather-bound books with a clean, soft cloth.
- Clean and reseal grout lines. The cement-based material between wall, floor, and countertop tiles is extremely porous and stains easily. Protect it with a penetrating grout sealer; it’s best to apply it with a small foam brush.
- Clean upholstered furnishings.Take cushions outside
- and gently beat them by hand to remove dust. If there are stains, check the pieces for care labels. Use a vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean under seat cushions.
- Polish! Liquid polishes and polish-impregnated cloths work well for medium-tarnished surfaces; pastes and creams are for heavier work. If tarnish doesn’t come off, try a stronger product.
- Dust from top to bottom. This includes hard-to-reach places, such as the tops of ceiling fans and window casings. Always work from the top of a room down, vacuuming the dust that settles on the floor. Avoid using dusting sprays.
- Wax wood furniture and floors. Wipe surfaces with a soft cloth dampened with water and mild dishwashing liquid. Apply paste wax a few feet at a time with a cotton rag folded into a square pad. Let wax dry; buff with a clean cloth.
- Smoke Detectors. Change batteries in smoke detectors and make sure units are free of dust.
- Treat those window coverings. Many draperies and curtains are machine washable; check labels. Dry-clean fabric shades. Wipe wooden blinds with a damp cloth; warm water mixed with a mild dishwashing liquid is safe for metal and vinyl blinds.
- Wash shower screens. Using warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid, scrub each screen with a brush; rinse thoroughly room by room
- Rotate bed and change bedding. Turn over your mattress to distribute the wear evenly. Replace cool-weather bedding with warm-weather bedding
- Clean pillows. Whether made of natural fibers (such as down) or synthetic (often polyester), most pillows can be machine-washed. This rids them of mold, bacteria, and odors.
- Throw away expired cosmetics products. Definitely time for spring cleaning if you have any of these! Secure these items in a plastic garbage/trash bag and keep it out of reach of children and animals.
- Clean monitors, TVs and computers. Scrub casings with a solution of 1 drop mild dishwashing liquid per 1 quart of water and a lint-free cloth; dust crevices in keyboards with cotton swabs; wipe screens with a soft cloth or a dry screen-cleaning sponge.
- Clear out the attic! Giveaway unwanted stuff and organise boxes of stuff and label it.
- Clean porch ceilings and walls. Sweep up cobwebs and debris with a corn broom,
- and wash walls with a solution of all-purpose cleaner and water using a polyester sponge.
- Scrub decks, patios, driveways, and pavements. Treat mildew spots with a solution of 1 part oxygen bleach to 3 parts water using a deck brush.
- Wash outdoor furniture. Most materials, including aluminum, plastic, wood, and wicker, can handle a solution of mild dishwashing liquid and water and a soft-bristle brush.
- Clean light fixtures. Wash covers, and check for damaged wires and connections.
- Dust the fridge. Turn off power at circuit breaker or fuse box. Coils are usually at the bottom of the refrigerator, under the grill. Clean coils with the crevice attachment of a vacuum or a specialty refrigerator-coil brush.
- Defrost the freezer. Turn off power at circuit breaker or fuse box. Empty freezer’s contents; wipe interior with a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda per 1 quart hot water.
This made my cleaning more organize and easier.
This is a very great tip! Having a checklist will definitely be a lot of help. As someone from the housekeeping industry, I got to say this is one of the best read I have encountered.
These cleaning tips will be very helpful to homeowners who want to take care of their priced investment.
Very interesting and it is so helpful. I printed out the spring cleaning checklist. Thank you so much!
Thanks for this spring cleaning check-list. Really helpful and reliable. I’ll save this one. Thanks!