A Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring cleaning is the least fun thing to do during the season. But as each household is different, so is each person's cleaning style and preference. A relatively neat person who lives alone will have an easier job cleaning their home than a mom who has a large house with three kids and a husband to clean up after. There's also no one right way when it comes to spring cleaning, but there are certain steps or guidelines that can prevent you from doing more work than you need to. Here's a spring cleaning checklist to help make the job a little easier.
Get organized
Check your cleaning supplies before you start cleaning. There's nothing worse than starting a job and having to stop half way through because you ran out of cleaner. Knowing what you're going to clean and making sure you have enough of what you need to get through it is essential.
Check your cleaning supplies before you start cleaning. There's nothing worse than starting a job and having to stop half way through because you ran out of cleaner. Knowing what you're going to clean and making sure you have enough of what you need to get through it is essential.
- Bleach
- Oven cleaner
- Bathroom and kitchen cleaners
- Rug cleaner
- Floor cleaner
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Laundry detergent
- Broom
- Mop
- Dust pan and brush
- Vacuum cleaner (bags if applicable)
- Rags
- Rubber gloves
- Glass cleaner
- Bucket
- Scrub brushes
Designate your efforts
You can group tasks either by room or by type. For example, clean all of the windows in the house in one shot; reorganize all of the closets; or deep clean all rugs and carpets. The rooms will look fresher as each item is cleaned. Or you can take on each room as a project from start to finish. From changing shelf paper to flipping mattresses to re-grouting your shower; how thoroughly you clean is up to you.
You can group tasks either by room or by type. For example, clean all of the windows in the house in one shot; reorganize all of the closets; or deep clean all rugs and carpets. The rooms will look fresher as each item is cleaned. Or you can take on each room as a project from start to finish. From changing shelf paper to flipping mattresses to re-grouting your shower; how thoroughly you clean is up to you.
Dust from top to bottom
Always clean a room from top to bottom. As dust descends, it collects on other surfaces all the way down to the floor. By starting with the highest surfaces first, like the ceiling fan, and working your way down, all dust particles will eventually wind up on the floor which can be vacuumed or swept up.
Always clean a room from top to bottom. As dust descends, it collects on other surfaces all the way down to the floor. By starting with the highest surfaces first, like the ceiling fan, and working your way down, all dust particles will eventually wind up on the floor which can be vacuumed or swept up.
Big jobs first
This tactic is usually applied to the kitchen. Cleaning the oven is usually the toughest and messiest job of them all. Cleaning it first will stop you from spreading the mess to parts you've already cleaned if you were to save it for last. Also, many cleaners need to sit for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour for the most effective results. During that time you can start and complete smaller jobs around the house.
This tactic is usually applied to the kitchen. Cleaning the oven is usually the toughest and messiest job of them all. Cleaning it first will stop you from spreading the mess to parts you've already cleaned if you were to save it for last. Also, many cleaners need to sit for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour for the most effective results. During that time you can start and complete smaller jobs around the house.
Multi-task
It seems the loads of laundry are endless during a good spring cleaning session. There are also many things that need to be soaked for a proper cleaning. While the machines and cleaners are hard at work, there are many small jobs that can be completed during the course of a wash or dry cycle. The work gets done faster if you use your idle time wisely. However, if you've been at it all day, this is also a perfect opportunity to take a break. Just make sure you set your timer.
It seems the loads of laundry are endless during a good spring cleaning session. There are also many things that need to be soaked for a proper cleaning. While the machines and cleaners are hard at work, there are many small jobs that can be completed during the course of a wash or dry cycle. The work gets done faster if you use your idle time wisely. However, if you've been at it all day, this is also a perfect opportunity to take a break. Just make sure you set your timer.
Related: Get The Kids Involved In Spring Cleaning With Tips From Molly Maid!
Kristine G. Bottone is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
