Checklists to Make Spring Cleaning a Little Easier

Early spring is a time when people often tackle projects around the home, such as decluttering, organizing, and deep cleaning. After a long winter, taking time to deep clean can make the house look and feel a little brighter. It does more, however, than just make your place more inviting. Giving your house a good polish is associated with mental and physical benefits, too.

A few of the ways spring cleaning is good for your health include:

• Giving a boost to the spirit
• Helping to improve focus
• Lowering anxiety and stress
• Reducing allergy triggers
• Improving core strength

If you or a senior in the family is gearing up for a deep cleaning, the following room-by-room checklists might help you get organized.

Spring Cleaning Checklists by Room

• Begin in the kitchen

Kitchens are usually one of the hardest-working rooms in the house. Keeping such a busy room clean is tough. As you scrub, make sure to include the following tasks:

• Wipe down the cabinets inside and out. Pitch outdated items and create a donation box for those things you just don’t use. If shelf paper is worn or won’t come clean, replace it.
• Clear everything from the refrigerator and wipe the interior down with hot, soapy water. Use bleach wipes in nooks and crannies that are tough to reach with a sponge or cloth. Remember to check the expiration date on every item before putting it back in the refrigerator.
• Clean the oven—don’t put this job off and risk an oven fire. If yours doesn’t have a self-cleaning feature or if you don’t like the odor it creates, purchase a fume-free oven cleaner.
• Change the exhaust system on the range to reduce the risk of fire. This task is often overlooked, and that can lead to trouble. Check your oven’s manual for directions on how to do it, or look it up on the manufacturer’s website.
• Empty out the pantry and thoroughly wipe down the shelves and floor. Dispose of foods that are expired or just don’t get used.

• Scrub the bathrooms

While most people clean their bathrooms on a routine basis, this room typically requires a little extra attention several times each year. Here are a few bathroom details not to overlook:

• Take down the shower curtain and liner, and wipe down the curtain rod. Wash the curtain and replace the old liner with a new one. If the shower has doors instead of a curtain, deep clean them.
• Remove everything from the medicine cabinet and vanity drawers. Give the interior a good scrubbing. Check labels on both prescription and over-the-counter medications, and safely dispose of those that are expired. Many cities and towns have safe medication disposal programs. You can learn more about finding a medication drop-off location on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.
• Clean out the linen closet and donate sheets and towels you no longer need to a local animal shelter. Most have a constant need for these items.
• Deep clean the toilet and tank, as well as the floor surrounding it. Replace the toilet brush, too.

• Declutter and clean the bedrooms

For many, cleaning these rooms is the job they dread the most. Clutter quickly accumulates, and closets easily become a mess. A few tips to help you tackle the bedrooms are:

• Strip the bedding right down to the mattress. Wash or dry clean everything, from the curtains and comforter to the shams, dust ruffle, blankets, mattress cover, and rugs. Replace the mattress cover, if necessary.
• If you have a strong helper available, flip or turn the mattress and box spring. While you’re at it, wipe them down on both sides.
• Knock down cobwebs from the ceiling and ceiling fan using a long-handled duster.
• Dust the baseboards, window frames, and furniture. If it’s been a while since you’ve done that, you may want to vacuum first and then follow up with a dust cloth or wipe.
• Go through the closets and place everything you or your family members don’t wear in a pile. Find a local shelter to donate these items to.

• Declutter and clean living areas

Books, magazines, and other clutter often build up in living rooms, dens, and other common areas of the house. Before you begin deep cleaning, go through all the shelves, baskets, and drawers in the room. Look for items you can box up and take to your local recycling center or book donation site. Once you start cleaning, remember to:

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean woodwork, lighting fixtures, and furniture.
• Wipe down the television screen and other devices where static attracts dust. Consumer Reports has some suggestions on the best way to do that.
• If applicable, remove slipcovers from furniture and wash or dry clean them.
• Vacuum under sofa cushions, as well as under the sofa itself.
• Clean and polish hardwood or tile flooring according to the manufacturer’s directions. If the rooms have carpet, schedule an appointment for professional cleaning.
• Take curtains down to either wash or dry clean. Scrub the windows, frames, and curtain rods.

We hope these tips streamline your spring cleaning efforts this year!

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