Spring Cleaning Checklist for the Do-it-Yourselfers

For much of the United States, this winter has been pretty unforgiving. Blizzards, frigid temperatures, snow: this winter was pretty brutal for some of us. Even deep in South Florida, where we count winter in days rather than months, we had longer bouts of cooler weather than we are used to. In Florida, we tend to go from chilly to 'everything is now yellow' overnight. Further north, the arrival of spring is more gradual. Regardless of how spring happens to arrive in your area, one thing that comes along with it for many of us is Spring Cleaning. 

Whether you relish the idea of finally being able to deep clean and air out your home after months of freezing temps or you dread the task, we have put together a handy checklist to help you make sure your home is fresh and clean. 

1. The Windows

Winter weather is not kind to windows and in many places, the cold weather makes it difficult for the average person to clean both the interior and exterior of their windows. Spring brings along warm but not too hot weather that is perfect for tackling this chore. You can avoid having your cleanser evaporate too quickly to do a proper job by selecting an overcast day to clean your exterior windows. 

2. Kitchen Cabinets

Did you know that grease and grime build up in your cabinets very quickly, especially if you do not use the exhaust hood every time you cook? If you have ever tried to clean grease buildup, you know that normal soap and water won't be very effective at removing it. Our trick here is to use a mixture of vinegar and dish soap to cut through the grease without harsh chemicals. 

3. Granite 

If you made sure to seal your granite countertops as soon as they were installed, great job! You have helped reduce the work it will take to make sure they are clean. If you haven't, it's not too late - it's actually recommended that granite is resealed yearly as part of proper maintenance. Make sure to clean up spills right away to keep your granite counters looking pristine. 

4. Wooden Floors

How often do you think you should mop your hardwood floors? Daily? Weekly? What if I told you that wet mopping your floors more than once every month or two can actually damage your floors? Instead, you should spot clean your hardwood floors as necessary. We recommend white vinegar and water, as it is non-toxic and safe for most surfaces. However, if you do opt for chemical cleaners, make sure you get one that is made specifically for wooden floors to avoid damaging them. 

5. Stainless Steel Fixtures

Honestly, if you only clean your stainless steel fixtures one time a year, they are probably pretty gross by now. We hope you do wipe down those fixtures regularly, but if your once shiny surfaces have lost their luster, despair not for we have a solution! Yes, it is white vinegar and water again. That mixture can be used on pretty much anything without damaging it and without irritating chemicals. If you do use a product to make your stainless steel fixtures gleam again, we suggest using a specialty spray made for these surfaces. Just make sure you don't overdo it - cleaning your stainless steel fixtures with specialty cleaners more than once or twice a week can leave them spotty or grimy. 

6. Tiled Surfaces

In my house, we only have tile in 3 places - both bathroom showers and the entry-way floor. That said, I HATE cleaning tile and grout. However, not cleaning it regularly leaves them looking disgusting with the soap scum build-up and other stuff that stains if left unchecked. Although there are plenty of chemical cleansers out there that can get the job done, you can also use another common household product: baking soda. Bet you thought I was gonna say white vinegar, didn't you? Well, 1/2 cup of baking soda mixed thoroughly in 2 gallons of water can keep your tile and grout looking fabulous, but if you have tough stains it is better to call in the professionals.

7. The Refrigerator

Although you probably give the outside of your refrigerator a quick wipe down when you are cleaning your kitchen, cleaning it thoroughly means cleaning the inside too. Even if you do clean out spoiled food frequently enough to prevent it from walking out on its own, cleaning the surfaces and drawers are vital to preventing food-borne illnesses in your kitchen. The good news is you do not need to use any special cleaning product: warm soapy water and vinegar will do the trick. You can reduce how often a deep clean needs to happen by wiping up spills when they happen. 

8. The Dishwasher

Your dishwasher sees a lot of heavy-duty traffic. If you want it to consistently clean and sanitize your dishes, you need to clean it too. Remove any bits of food and other items - hair ties magically appear in my dishwasher drain sometimes - that have collected at the bottom. Then run a cycle with a cup of white vinegar in the bottom rack and a half cup of baking soda in a dish in the top rack. You can also use specialty cleansers designed for sanitizing your dishwasher once a month. 

9. The Oven

When the oven starts smoking before you put your food in, it's probably time for a deep clean. You will need to remove what loose particles you can first, then spray the burnt-on food with ammonia. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom and add a few drops of white vinegar, let it bubble then wipe it down with a sponge. Even if you have a self-cleaning range, you will still need to manually remove the particles after the oven cools. 

10. Your Pillows & Comforters

Its recommended that you wash your bed linens like sheets and pillowcases every two weeks. Pillows and comforters, on the other hand, can be washed two or three times per year. If you have a smaller machine, you may need to take these items to a laundry mat with industrial sized machines designed for cleaning larger items. 

11. Your Washing Machine

While we are on the subject, your washing machine needs a little love too if you want your clothes to smell fresh and clean when you wash them. Disinfect your machine with white vinegar and baking soda. Fill the machine with hot water, add the baking soda and vinegar, and let sit for at least 30 - 60 minutes. Then allow your machine to drain and wipe the inside with a towel. 

12. Area Rugs 

The good thing about area rugs is that you don't need to deep clean them every year. Instead, it is recommended that they are cleaned every 4-5 years if they see heavy traffic or once every ten years it's not walked on often. Cleaning rugs more often is are actually counterintuitive - the more often you clean it, the easier it becomes to damage it. Instead, spot treats stains quickly using club soda, especially stains from pets, red wine, coffee, soft drinks, red dyes, and other high acid stains to keep your rug looking great. 

13. Carpets

This is another task where the frequency is highly dependent on foot traffic. Carpets that receive heavy foot traffic should be cleaned professionally 3-4 times per year while areas that don't see a lot of traffic can be cleaned once or twice a year. However, if you see that your carpet looks dirty, it is a good idea to have it cleaned to help keep your family in good health. 

14. Mattresses

No one really wants to think about what is under their bedding, but this is another area that can become surprisingly dirty. When you wash your bedding, it is a good idea to use your vacuum's hose tools to remove any particles, spot-clean any stains then spray the mattress with a disinfectant spray after to keep your mattress fresh. 

15. Mind The Paint

This doesn't necessarily need to be a once a year type of task. In fact, most paint companies recommend spot cleaning with a sponge or cloth and plain water. For tougher stains, add a few drops of a mild dishwashing liquid or if all else fails, put the dishwashing liquid directly on the sponge or cloth. Make sure to rinse it with plain water after to avoid damaging the paint. 

16. Outdoor Furniture

For those of us that store our outdoor furniture during the winter to prevent damage - Great Job! You've made cleaning it a bit easier. You can clean your outdoor chairs and tables (sans cushions of course) with warm water and dish soap. Rinse it off with your garden hose and let it air dry. 

17. Dusting

This may be a task you include as a regular part of your cleaning schedule. But if you have high ceilings or ceiling fans that you run regularly, you may not be able to get all of the dusting done. Especially the ceiling fans (for me anyway). My favorite trick for cleaning ceiling fan blades doesn't involve any cleaning chemicals at all. Take a cotton pillowcase then put the open end over the fan blade. Gently pull down on the open end to make sure it is flush with the fan blade, then keep it taut and slide it back off the blade. This quickly takes all the dust (that would have turned into a nasty mush with liquid applied) and gathers it inside the pillowcase. I love this method because normal dusting triggers allergies and asthma attacks for my family. For those hard to reach areas, I put a microfiber cloth over the end to attract the dust and keep it from dispersing into the air.

18. Organizing Closets and Bookshelves

For some people, this is a must because it allows them to get rid of unused items and spruce up their shelves. Personally, this isn't something I do often because I become to easily distracted by a book I haven't read in a while or an outfit that has been sitting in the closet untouched for ages but is now exactly what I want to wear. Who cares if that outfit is a party dress and a tiara? I will probably wear it to clean the rest of my house and still ignore the closet. Advice varies on how to tackle these two chores. My advice - organize your stuff in a way that makes sense for you.

Ultimately, you may discover that the spring cleaning you've been dreading isn't as big a monster as you thought it would be. Many tasks are part of the normal care and maintenance for your home, but if they aren't we hope our guide helps take some of the uncertainty on where to start away so you can finish your spring cleaning quickly. 

Happy Cleaning and May The Odds Be Ever in Your Favor!