Our companies are backed by the Best Pick Guarantee. Call one today!
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to clear out unused items and give obscure corners a good scrubbing. However, setting out to clean your entire house is a monumental task that requires organization. To help you get every nook and cranny, we’ve created this handy checklist for the ultimate spring cleaning.
1. Spring Cleaning for the Kitchen
If you cook regularly, your kitchen is ground zero for all sorts of messes. In addition to wayward crumbs, you have to contend with bacteria that can cause illness and accumulated grease. Even if you don’t spend much time in the kitchen, you should give it a deep clean to pick up any stray food that may tempt pests, such as ants and flies.
Service Major Appliances
When was the last time you got your major appliances serviced? Spring cleaning is a good time to deal with any issues you may have been putting off.
Does the fridge make excessive noise? Is your oven heating unevenly? Even when concerns are small, find a professional to take a look and get an expert opinion that can end up saving you money in the long run.
Clear Out Cabinets
Spring cleaning isn’t just about washing; it’s the perfect time to get rid of things you don’t need. In the case of kitchens, that means taking a thorough inventory of your cabinets.
First, check expiration dates. While you can use many dry goods a short time past the printed “best by” date, you should get rid of anything that’s more than a year expired. This is also a great time to clear out items you won’t eat. You can donate anything non-perishable that’s still within its “good by” date to your local food bank.
2. Bathroom Scrubbing
Most people clean their bathrooms regularly, since this room can pose serious bacteria risks. However, your annual deep house cleaning is the perfect time to address issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye or have fallen by the wayside.
Clear Pipes
Plumbing professionals recommend you get your pipes checked regularly to prevent clogs. Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to hire an expert to tackle slow-moving drains and give your plumbing its annual check up. This is especially important if you live in an area that reaches freezing temperatures, as your pipes may have been affected during the winter.
Eliminate Grime
Do you have hard water? If so, you may notice a buildup of lime or mineral deposits in your shower or sink. There are a number of grime-fighting products you can pick up at the grocery store to make your metal fixtures shine once more. For tougher stains, such as those under the toilet bowl lip, you can use gels or scrub with a pumice stick.
3. Closet Reorganization
For many of us, the closet is a place to store items we don’t quite know what to do with. In some cases, closet clutter can get so bad that we even forget things, only to be surprised when they resurface months or years later.
The very spirit of spring cleaning compels us to roll up our sleeves and start on projects we’ve been procrastinating to tackle. Consider putting closet reorganization at the top of that list.
Sort Clothing
Before you can properly reorganize, you need to see what you have. Start by separating items into piles:
- Warm weather clothes and accessories
- Cold weather clothes and accessories
- Clothes and accessories you haven’t worn for a year or more
To make room in your closet, you can donate the items you no longer wear. If you have more clutter than you know what to do with, there are professional organizers who can help you sort items, designate storage areas, and label containers. Perhaps most important of all, they’re skilled at nudging clients to be honest about whether it makes sense to keep a particular article of clothing.
Store Seasonal Items
When you’ve let go of possessions you aren’t actually using, you’re left with two piles: Items you can wear in current weather and items appropriate for a different season.
You can stow this season’s items in your closet and store winter clothes somewhere out of the way, such as under the bed, on high closet shelves, or in outdoor storage. If you have the right tools, you can also vacuum seal seasonal items for additional space.
4. Obscure House Cleaning
Deep cleaning areas of your house that you regularly use is all well and good, but you also need to give some TLC to parts that you rarely think about. That’s right — it’s time to clear out the attic and the basement.
Check Out the Attic
If you have an attic space, now is the time to go through any boxes and determine what you part with. While you’re up there, be on the lookout for any signs that pests have made your attic their home:
- Destroyed insulation
- Nesting
- Excrement
Make sure to call in a professional if you find any issues.
Investigate the Basement
Your basement deserves similar treatment. In the subterranean areas, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for water damage. Basements are at risk of flooding, which can lead to mold and mildew. If you notice signs of mold, make sure to call a professional for safe removal.
5. Tips for Disinfecting Your House
We all know how easily bacteria and viruses can spread, which is why disinfecting your house is essential to staying healthy. Of course, there’s a right and wrong way to go about fighting germs.
Wipe Down Frequently Touched Surfaces
While there’s no harm in sanitizing everything in your kitchen, the real threat is frequently touched surfaces. Make sure to give all of these common touch points a thorough wipe down:
- Light switches
- Doorknobs
- Faucet handles
Use Effective Products
Not all household cleaning products are formulated to kill germs. To eliminate threats of illness, make sure your cleaning supplies contain one of the following:
- 70% alcohol
- Bleach
- Hydrogen peroxide