Put a Little Spring In Your Step with This Helpful Spring House Cleaning Checklist
Winter is winding down, and it’s time to say goodbye to cold weather, snow, and ice. For many homeowners, this means that spring cleaning is on the horizon. So whether you’re returning to your Long Island home after a long winter away or just looking to freshen up your house in preparation for the upcoming season, now is the perfect time to get your home spruced up.
Ready to get started? Get your home ready with our easy-to-follow spring house cleaning checklist.
Let’s take a look at each task.
Dusting
When tackling this chore, starting from the top and working your way down is best. Begin with curtains and other fabric items in the room before moving on to furniture like couches, chairs, and benches. Next, vacuum the dust from your fabric window treatments using the upholstery attachment.
For horizontal blinds, dust them off with a duster or vacuum. Vinyl roller shades can also be wiped down with a damp cloth or sponge to remove dirt or grime buildup. Be sure to check for signs of damage, such as torn fabric or broken parts that need to be replaced, before you put them back up.
House plants (real and fake), moldings, blinds, window sills, and walls could all benefit from a good wipe-down. Next, peek under your bed, couches, furniture, and refrigerator (don’t forget the coils!). There is probably a collection of dust, hair, and other things in some of these hard-to-reach places. So get under there with a vacuum or broom, then wipe down the entire area with your favorite non-toxic cleaner.
Vaccuuming
Vacuuming is an essential part of the spring cleaning process. Keeping your carpets and rugs clean is important, especially if you have pets or small children. Not only does regular vacuuming help to rid these areas of dirt, dust, and pet hair, but it can also prolong the life of your carpets by removing deep-down dirt particles that can damage fibers over time.
Vacuum all the floors – carpets, rugs, hardwood – from one side of the room to another in overlapping passes for optimal results. A good vacuuming job will leave your carpets looking beautiful and smelling fresh.
Window Cleaning
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to give your windows a thorough clean. Not only do clean windows add a bit of sparkle to your home, but they also allow for more natural light to enter the room and make it appear brighter and airier.
To get crystal clear results, remove any window screens or storm windows that may be attached. Next, use a soft clean cloth and glass cleaner to wipe down both sides of the pane. Make sure you reach every corner of the frame as well.
Once you have finished wiping them down, wipe them dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. You can use small amounts of vinegar or lemon juice if any stubborn spots don’t come out with glass cleaner alone.
Scrub the Bathrooms
When cleaning the bathroom thoroughly during the spring, it’s important to start with the basics. Wipe down counters, shelves, and other visible surfaces with a multi-purpose cleaner. Then use a mild bleach solution or professional bathroom cleaner to remove dirt and grime from the tile, bathtub, or shower walls. Scrub those areas with an abrasive sponge and rinse with clean water. Finally, wash or spot-clean your shower curtain.
Don’t forget to clean behind, around, and under the toilet bowl using a long-handled brush. Finally, scrub the floor with a mop, a soft scrub brush, or a sponge.
Mop the Floors
Revive your tile floors from their winter wear with this easy cleaning solution! Mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup lemon juice, and 1/4 cup vinegar with 7 cups of warm water in a bucket or spray bottle.
Once applied to the tile and grout, let it sit for an hour before scrubbing off for a sparkly clean finish!
Deep Clean Kitchen Appliances
Deep cleaning kitchen appliances is important to maintaining a clean and healthy home. Start with the refrigerator, wipe down all surfaces, discard expired food, and thoroughly clean shelves and drawers.
For the stovetop, scrub away any residue on the burners and then use soapy water to remove any grease on the surface.
Next, tackle the oven – first, use an oven cleaner or a degreaser, then use a scraper or brush to remove debris.
Lastly, don’t forget about other kitchen appliances like the dishwasher, microwave, and blender – these should be unplugged and wiped down with a damp cloth.
Wash Curtains and Bedding
Start with your windows, so you can open them up and let some fresh air in. Next, remove all curtains or drapes, and either wash them in a washing machine or take them to a dry cleaner.
Curtains made of washable fabric can be put in the washing machine with mild detergent and cold water. This may require a trip to the dry cleaner for drapes, but it’s worth it for those stubborn stains that don’t come out from home laundering.
Bedding should be washed in a cool setting using a mild detergent or an enzyme-based product. If your comforter and bed skirt is too large for the washer, take them to the laundromat or dry cleaner. Air drying is best – always choose the lowest heat setting if you need to use a dryer.
Change and wash your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. There’s nothing like sleeping at night with a nice set of fresh, clean sheets!
Disinfect All Surfaces
Regularly disinfecting surfaces in the home is an essential part of keeping them safe and healthy. Start by using a cloth and mild detergent to wipe away dirt, dust, and other particles on the surface.
Next, use an appropriate disinfectant, such as chlorine bleach or a commercial product, to kill germs. Allow the solution to sit for at least five minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth.
Repeat this process for all areas of your home, including high-touch surfaces like door knobs, light switches, countertops, and cell phones. To clean electronics, use a damp microfiber cloth with mild soap or a 50/50 water and white vinegar solution.
Declutter, Clean Out Closets and Drawers
Make the most of the spring cleaning season and reclaim your floors! First, clear out any extra clutter like shoes, old magazines, pillows, clothes – or whatever else takes up precious floor space in each room. Not only will this help keep your living spaces cleaner, but it’ll also make future cleaning a breeze!
Tackle each room individually and focus on eliminating items you no longer need or use. Once you decide what should go, choose the best option for disposing of it – donate, sell, or recycle. If you cannot decide if certain items should stay or go, place them in a large black plastic bag and store them out of sight in your basement or garage.
After the season ends, reassess the bags; if none of the items have been missed, it’s probably time to say goodbye!
If you’re overwhelmed by swapping out your cold-weather wardrobe and winter items for something more seasonally appropriate, don’t worry – you can make the process easier!
When going through each item, look for any garments that may have holes or tears, clothing that doesn’t fit well, styles that have gone out of fashion, or items you no longer enjoy wearing. This is an excellent opportunity to slim down your wardrobe and only keep the pieces that bring you joy and fill useful roles in your closet.
You can schedule a pick-up from an online donation service like the United Breast Cancer Foundation or Vietnam Veterans of America.
Change Your Furnace Filter
Changing your furnace filter is an essential part of regular home maintenance. Unfortunately, mold, pollen, dust, and dust mites get trapped in this area and, over time, can cause air quality problems, especially for those with respiratory issues and allergies.
Changing the filter will help to keep your HVAC system running efficiently and ensure the air in your home is clean. When selecting a new filter, it’s important to consider the MERV rating, which indicates how effective the filter is at trapping particles from the air.
Clean the Dryer Vent
Now let’s head to the laundry room!
Keeping your dryer vent clear and clean is extremely important to prevent fires and avoid costly repairs. Start by unplugging your dryer (or turn off the gas if you have a gas dryer.) Next, pull out the lint trap and remove any lint from the screen. Use a dryer vent brush (available online and at most home improvement stores) to remove any residual lint left in the trap. Finally, follow up with a shop vac or vacuum cleaner attachment to collect any residual lint left behind.
You also need to clean the dryer’s exhaust duct tube. Again, if you are handy, you can do this yourself, or if not, you can hire a professional to get the job done. Either way, it must be cleaned for efficiency and safety at least once or twice a year.
Deodorize Carpets and Furniture
Give your carpets and furniture a much-needed deodorizing with baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda over your furniture and carpets, then leave it for 15 minutes. After that, vacuum up the powder, leaving you with fresh-smelling fabrics and carpets!
If you still need to remove stubborn odors, you may want to rent a steam cleaner – it’ll sanitize while eliminating any musty smells.
Refresh Outdoor Spaces
Refreshing your outdoor spaces with a good spring cleaning is important so that you can enjoy the space when the weather improves. Start by sweeping away dirt and debris from the front porch and decks. If you have outdoor furniture cushions, consider cleaning them with a mild cleaner or a soapy water solution.
It’s also a great time to inspect outdoor structures, such as pergolas, gazebos, and patios, ensuring they are all secure and in good condition. Once all the dirt has been cleaned off everything, don’t forget to add some finishing touches, like plants or new outdoor accents.
Clean Your Cleaning Tools
Yes, your cleaning tools need TLC too! Have a tool caddy? Empty it and wash it in the sink with dish detergent or wipe it down thoroughly using one of the cleaners from the caddy. Next, wipe all the spray bottles, concentrating on the nozzles. Sometimes they can get clogged up with residue.
Wipe down the handle of your broom with disinfectant and wash the dustpan in the sink if it’s plastic. Then use your vacuum to suck up the leftover dust and food latched onto the bristles before returning it to its storage spot.
Your vacuum exterior is most likely covered in dust, even if it doesn’t seem like it to the naked eye. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down AFTER you’ve cleaned the filter or the inside canister.
Need Help With Your Spring Cleaning?
Don’t want to do it all by yourself? Let us help you with a deep cleaning of your home so you can start fresh this Spring. Our team can do all the heavy lifting while you get back to what matters. We love to bring a fresh perspective to our customers’ homes so they can welcome Spring with all its glory.
What does a Spring Cleaning or Deep Clean from C's mean?
Here’s what a typical Spring cleaning service from C’s Home & Office Management looks like. This list includes everything in a normally scheduled house cleaning plus the additional items below.
Let’s start in the kitchen. Always the first space on the list!
- Clean out all cabinets and drawers
- Clean the inside of the refrigerator
- Clean the pantry
- Clean out window wells
- Clean the stove
- Clean the oven (if requested)
- Hand wash all trim
Now let’s move on to the bathrooms. How many do you have?
- Clean out all cabinets
- Hand wash all trim
- Steam clean the floors (if requested)
- Clean out window wells
Next are the living spaces (you might have more than one). Is there a bonus room or a man cave in your house?
- Hand wash ceiling fans
- Clean out window wells
- Hand wash trim
- Clean under furniture (that can be safely moved)
- Take apart bookshelves and wipe down
- Clean out all closets and wipe down shelves
Miscellaneous (on request)
- Sweep out garage
- Sweep off porch
- Wash down outside furniture
- Clean grill
- Window cleaning
Our Team will make sure your home looks great for Spring!
Give your home a fresh start with a deep cleaning from our experienced team! Let us do the hard work for you so that you can get ready to welcome the new season with open arms and an immaculately clean home.
Get in touch with us for more details – free quotes are available at 631-725-2408, or click here to book an appointment today!
